A system and method for handling e-mail attachments in a data processing system. A client receives at least one message in a message database stored in a system memory, wherein the at least one message includes at least one attached file. The client displays a main preview of the at least one message, wherein the main preview of the at least one message includes an indicia that represents the at least one attached file. The client expands the main preview of the at least one message into a first sub-preview and a second sub-preview, wherein the first sub-preview represents the at least one message, and wherein the second sub-preview represents the at least one attached file. The client selects the second sub-preview to perform a function on the at least one attached file independent of the at least one message. The client performs the function on the at least one attached file independent of the at least one message.