Exchange Notes Connector does not send HTML

You cannot use the Microsoft Exchange Connector for Lotus Notes to send HTML-format messages between Microsoft Exchange Server and Lotus Notes.

The Exchange Connector for Lotus Notes in Exchange Server does not support transporting HTML-format messages across the connector. The Exchange Connector for Lotus Notes supports Microsoft Rich Text Format (RTF) to Lotus Notes Composite Data (CD) Rich Text.

To resolve this problem, follow these steps:

1. Upgrade the Exchange server to Microsoft Exchange Server 2003.
2. Install Exchange Server 2003 Service Pack 2 (SP2).
3. Upgrade the Exchange Connector for Lotus Notes to the latest Web Release.

Notes

• The Exchange Connector for Lotus Notes Web Release now supports HTML between Exchange Server and Lotus Notes. When messages are sent from Exchange Server to Notes, HTML messages are sent as-is. Additionally, messages that are sent in Outlook Rich Text Format are converted to HTML/MIME Multi-Part. When messages are sent from Notes to Exchange Server, HTML messages are sent as-is. Additionally, messages that are sent in the native Notes Composite Data (Notes CD) format are converted to Exchange Server Rich Text Format.
• The Exchange Connector for Lotus Notes Web Release requires the following:
  • Exchange Server 2003 SP2 running on Microsoft Windows Server 2003
  • The Lotus Notes Client version 6.5.4 or a later version installed on the Exchange server that is running the Exchange Connector for Lotus Notes.

To download the updated Exchange Connector for Lotus Notes, visit the following Microsoft Web site: For resources to migrate from IBM Lotus Notes to Microsoft Exchange Server, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

A possible workaround for sending HTML-format messages between Exchange Server and Lotus Notes is to send mail by Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) instead of using the Exchange Connector for Lotus Notes. However, be aware that if you send all mail between the two systems by SMTP, you may lose some functionality, such as DOCLINK conversion. Other items that may be affected are any RTF items, calendaring items, and forms. Make sure to research closely how end-users are using the system, and verify what functionality is needed.

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in Microsoft Exchange 2000 Server.

Sending HTML-format messages over the Exchange Connector for Lotus Notes is most common when either Exchange Server or Lotus Domino acts as the SMTP gateway for both mail systems. The users on the mail system opposite the SMTP gateway must receive their SMTP mail over the Exchange Connector for Lotus Notes. If there is HTML in these messages, it will not be delivered by the connector.

The RTF transport over the connector makes it possible for calendaring, forms, and other RTF information to be sent successfully during a period of co-existence.