When you open an incoming e-mail message, you may see a blank message or you may see the following three characters displayed instead of the message text: In some cases, depending on the Internet e-mail software that is used, the message may contain other random, unrelated characters or the message body may be blank.

Back to the top

This behavior occurs if the following conditions are true:

•	The message is created by using Microsoft Outlook Express 5.0.
•	The message is a reply and is sent in HTML format.
•	The message does not use the Include message in reply option.

Back to the top

To resolve this issue, use one of the following methods:

•	Ask the sender to send you e-mail messages that are formatted in Plain Text instead of in HTML.
•	Ask the sender to include original messages in his or her replies.

Back to the top

To avoid the behavior that is mentioned in the "Symptoms" section, use the following methods to define settings in Outlook Express.

Back to the top

Send in plain text to specified contacts

1.	On the Tools menu in Outlook Express, click Address Book.
2.	Right-click a contact you always want to send messages to in Plain Text, and then click Properties.
3.	On the Name tab, click to select Send E-Mail using plain text only, and then click OK.

Back to the top

Send in plain text to all contacts

1.	On the Tools menu in Outlook Express, click Options.
2.	On the Send tab, click to select Plain Text under Mail Sending Format, and then click OK.

Back to the top

Include original message text in replies

1.	On the Tools menu in Outlook Express, click Options.
2.	On the Send tab, click to select Include message in reply, and then click OK.

Back to the top