The differences between editors in Outlook 97 and Outlook 98

The purpose of this article is to explain the differences between the various E-mail editors in Microsoft Outlook 97 and to compare and contrast them to the new editors available in Microsoft Outlook 98.

In Outlook 97, there were two editors available, Microsoft Rich Text Format (RTF) and Microsoft Word. The RTF editor could also display plain text messages, but since they were in the font the user selected, it appeared those messages were actually RTF-formatted messages.

In Outlook 98, there are four editors available:

• Microsoft Outlook Rich Text
• Plain Text
• HTML (Hypertext Markup Language)
• Microsoft Word (if Word 97 is installed).

The design was changed to allow sending of HTML format; it also changed the way the editors work when replying or forwarding. You have the option of selecting which editor to use when creating a new mail message.

With the exception of using Microsoft Word, when replying to or forwarding a message the editor used is dependent on the format of the message that you are replying to or forwarding. For example, if you reply to or forward a message in HTML format, Outlook will automatically use the HTML-format editor. The same is true for Microsoft Outlook Rich Text and Plain Text; if you reply to or forward the message, it will use the original format.

You can change the format of the message, but there are limitations. When replying to or forwarding, you can change the editor type from HTML to Plain Text, or from Plain Text to HTML, but you cannot change from RTF to Plain Text, or to HTML, without creating a new message and pasting the contents into the new message.

To Change from HTML-Format to Plain Text When Forwarding or Replying

1. Double-click the message you wish to forward or reply to.
2. On the Actions menu, click Forward or Reply.
3. On the Format menu, click Plain Text.
4. Click Yes to the following message:

         Warning: Changing the formatting of this message from HTML to plain
         text requires removing all the current formatting, including
         any pictures that you may have included.
   
         Are you sure you want to do this?
   						

5. Format the message as appropriate and send it.

To Change from Plain Text Format to HTML When Forwarding or Replying

1. Double-click the message you wish to forward or reply to.
2. On the Actions menu, click Forward or Reply.
3. On the Format menu, click Rich Text (HTML).
4. Format the message as appropriate and send it.