How to Set the Typeface on XP Outlook Express

Add style to your email with fonts.

Setting the typeface correctly in your emails is important when you want to ensure readability and professionalism. Take advantage of the rich text formatting in Outlook Express if you are sure your recipients can read HTML messages. Select a clear, easy-to-read font. Avoid fancy fonts, especially for the main body of your message. Note that your recipients will be able to see the text as intended only if they have those fonts installed on their computers.

Instructions

Individual Messages

1. Click the "Create Mail" button in the Outlook Express toolbar. A new message window will open. The formatting toolbar above the message body should appear as grayed out. If you do not see the formatting toolbar, click "Format" on the message menu and then click "Rich Text (HTML)."

2. Click the message body to activate the formatting tools. Click the fonts list on the leftmost of the formatting toolbar. The drop-down list will open showing a list of available fonts. Click the font you want to use to select it.

3. Click the font size drop-down list on its right. Pick a size that is suitable for your recipient. The default size is "12."

4. Click the "Paragraph Style" icon next. Click an item in the list to designate a style to the text in the message body. If it is important for you to use proper headings such as "Header 1," "Header 2" and "Numbered List," use this feature.

5. Set additional text formatting. Click "B" when you want to enter bold text, "I" for italics and "U" for underlined text Click the "A" with an arrow to pick a text color from a color palette.

6. Click any of the "Paragraph" icons to set the paragraph alignment. These icons look like blocks of lines. Choose "Left," "Center," "Right" or "Justify." Click the "Indent" icons to add or decrease indentation to a paragraph.

7. Compose your message. Click the File menu and then click "Send Message" when you are finished. You may need to click the arrow on the "Send/Receive" button and click "Send All" to send the message from the Outlook Express outbox.

All Messages

1. Click "Tools" and then click 'Options." Click the "Compose" tab when the "Options" dialog box opens.

2. Click "Font Settings" for either "Mail" or "News" in the "Compose Font" area. The "Font" properties window will appear.

3. Click a font face under "Font." For example, click "Times New Roman." Click a style under "Font Style" (the default is "Regular"). Set the size under "Size" by choosing a number from size 8 to size 36 If you want to set a color as well, pick a color in the color palette.

4. Preview the result in the "Sample" window. Click "OK." Click "OK" again to return to the main Outlook Express area.

Tips & Warnings

• Choose a typeface that is easy to read. Avoid fancy fonts. To set your sent mail to Rich Text (HTML) format by default, go to the Tools menu, click "Options" and then click "Send." Under "Mail Sending Format" and "News Sending Format," click the "HTML" radio buttons. Click "OK."

• If you specify a default stationery to use, the stationery's font settings will overwrite your main typeface setting. To turn off the stationery, click "Compose" in the "Options" dialog box. If the "Mail" and "News" check boxes are selected, click them to turn them off. Click "OK."

References

• "Windows XP: The Missing Manual - 2nd Edition"; David Pogue; 2004
• "Outlook Express 6.0 Help"; Microsoft; 2004

Resources

• Microsoft Support: OLEXP: Cannot Chage Text Format Using Outlook Express