How to Check HTML Email
Email generally comes in two types: plain text and HTML. Plain text emails have only text and do not display different styles, fonts, font sizes or graphics. HTML emails use HTML code to display content that is more visually appealing, including displaying graphics, colors, font styles and sizes. Most email service providers allow you to view emails in either plain text format or HTML format.
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Instructions
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Determine that you want to view emails as HTML instead of plain text. Most email service providers, such as Gmail and Outlook 2007, do not display all graphics, links and other HTML elements by default because HTML emails run a greater risk for carrying viruses or malicious software. However, if those elements are not displayed, you do not get the full HTML email experience of being able to see graphics or click through to different links from the email. If the majority of your email comes from trusted sources, it is safe to view emails in HTML format.
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Open the email you wish to view as HTML. If the graphics are not displayed, indicate that you would like to show all graphics and other HTML elements like links in the email. Different email service providers work in different ways. For example, in Outlook 2007, graphics will not be displayed by default, but you can right-click on a graphic in an email and select "download pictures" to show all the graphics in that email. Gmail is similar; it does not display graphics by default. When you open an email, you will see a message at the top: "Images are not displayed." Click the button that says "Display images below" to view the graphics and other HTML elements in the email. You can also opt to always display the images from a particular sender if you trust that sender.
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Read and view the email with the HTML elements enabled. You can click through to websites from links in the email, view graphics and promotions, and experience the email more like an HTML web page than a mere text message email.
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Tips & Warnings
If you trust a specific sender, most email service providers allow you to add that sender to your safe list, meaning that all messages from that sender will be displayed as HTML. Most email service providers have a button that lets you add a particular email address to your address book and/or safe list when you open the email; press that button to add the sender and receive their messages in HTML format by default.
Only view emails in HTML format from senders you trust. If a sender sends you an email you think is invasive, carries a virus or if the email comes from a sender you haven't elected to receive email from, use your "mark as spam" button to send the email to your junk folder and block the sender from sending you more emails.
References
- Photo Credit email button image by Richard Kane from Fotolia.com
