OLEXP: Cannot Change Text Format Using Outlook Express

When you compose a new message with Outlook Express, you may be unable to change the font style, size, or color.

This behavior can occur if either of the following conditions exists:

• Microsoft Internet Explorer is configured to ignore specified formatting features in the Accessibility dialog box.
• Outlook Express is configured to use plain text.

To change the format of the text when you compose a message, use one of the following methods:

Turn off the Accessibility Settings

To turn off the Accessibility settings, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click Internet or Internet Settings.
2. On the General tab, click Accessibility.
3. Click the following check boxes as necessary to clear them:
   • Ignore colors specified on Web pages
   • Ignore font styles specified on Web pages
   • Ignore font sizes specified on Web pages
4. Click OK.
5. Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

Change the Sending Format

Change the sending format to Rich Text (HTML). To do so, follow these steps:

1. In Outlook Express, click Options on the Tools menu.
2. Click the Send tab, and then click HTML under Mail Sending Format.
3. Click OK.
4. Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

This behavior is by design.