How to Send HTML Email in Outlook

It is important to know that not all email applications are the same so you need to use a message format that your recipient's application supports. Microsoft Outlook offers the flexibility in message formats that you need depending on the situation.

The message format that you choose determines whether you can add formatted text, such as bold fonts, colored fonts, and bullets, and whether you can add pictures to the message body. But make note that just because you choose a message format this doesn't mean your recipient will see them. Not all email applications support formatted messages or pictures.

HTML is the default format for Outlook. It is also the best format to use when you want to create messages that are similar to traditional documents, with various fonts, colors, and bullet lists. By default, when you select either of the options that allow formatting, the message is sent in HTML format. So when you use HTML, you know that what you send is what the recipient will see.

When you reply to a message, Outlook preserves the format of the original message. However, if you select the Read all standard mail in plain text option, Outlook formats your reply in plain text. Or you can click the Info Bar; change the format of the message to HTML or Rich Text, and then reply. If you change the format of the message, the reply is formatted with the new display format.

If you are changing a message format for all messages, go to Tools, then Options then click Mail Format tab. In the Compose In This Message Format, click the format that you want.

If you are changing the message format for all messages sent to a specific recipient, open the contact card for that recipient. In the email box, double-click the recipient's e-mail address. In the Internet Format list, select the format that you want to use for messages to this recipient.