Default Compose Settings Not Working

Hi Bruce,
I mean that when I've opened a new, blank mail mesage, and select the Format
menu option, that the Style, Font, Paragraph, Increase and Decrease Indent
features are "greyed out" - they do not open. I cannot select a different
font/text color/size/ bold etc.

Yes, I'm set to send/receive in HTML

The number in msoe.dll is: 6.00.2900.2180

Thanks much for your help. Appreciated.

S


"Bruce Hagen" wrote:

> When you say the formatting features are disabled, can you see the Format
> Bar? Are you using HTML? If you have switched to Plain Text, the Format bar
> isn't available.
>
> XP version makes no difference. In OE | Help | About MSOE - What is the
> number under msoe.dll?
> --
> Bruce Hagen
> MS MVP - Outlook Express
> ~IB-CA~
>
> "Sorsche" <Sorsche DeleteThis @discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:6F7FEFA8-F614-4B83-A89C-DF6A484E6F81@microsoft.com...
> > Hello,
> > I'm using Outlook Express on XP ( version 6.0026.00000 6.0 (XPSP_SP2) )
> >
> > Initially, I was able to set-up Compose Settings Defaults in
> > Tools/Options/Compose. And the settings still appear to be set when I
> > reopen
> > the Tools menu option.
> >
> > However, when I create a new mail message, the system isn't using the
> > defaults. And all the formatting features are disabled. I cannot change
> > formatting features.
> >
> > What do I need to do/set to be able to use the format features in a new
> > mail
> > message? And to use the default formatting features in Tools/Options?
> >
> > Thanks very much for any help you can offer.
> >
> > Sorsche
> >
>
>

If you are indeed using HTML, then just put the cursor in the message body
and click Format. Those options are always grayed out until the message body
is active.
--
Bruce Hagen
MS MVP - Outlook Express
~IB-CA~

"Sorsche" <Sorsche.TakeThisOut@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:E62EE697-1DA6-4850-933D-CBBB9E94CE77@microsoft.com...
> Hi Bruce,
> I mean that when I've opened a new, blank mail mesage, and select the
> Format
> menu option, that the Style, Font, Paragraph, Increase and Decrease Indent
> features are "greyed out" - they do not open. I cannot select a different
> font/text color/size/ bold etc.
>
> Yes, I'm set to send/receive in HTML
>
> The number in msoe.dll is: 6.00.2900.2180
>
> Thanks much for your help. Appreciated.
>
> S
>
>
> "Bruce Hagen" wrote:
>
>> When you say the formatting features are disabled, can you see the Format
>> Bar? Are you using HTML? If you have switched to Plain Text, the Format
>> bar
>> isn't available.
>>
>> XP version makes no difference. In OE | Help | About MSOE - What is the
>> number under msoe.dll?
>> --
>> Bruce Hagen
>> MS MVP - Outlook Express
>> ~IB-CA~
>>
>> "Sorsche" <Sorsche.TakeThisOut@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:6F7FEFA8-F614-4B83-A89C-DF6A484E6F81@microsoft.com...
>> > Hello,
>> > I'm using Outlook Express on XP ( version 6.0026.00000 6.0
>> > (XPSP_SP2) )
>> >
>> > Initially, I was able to set-up Compose Settings Defaults in
>> > Tools/Options/Compose. And the settings still appear to be set when I
>> > reopen
>> > the Tools menu option.
>> >
>> > However, when I create a new mail message, the system isn't using the
>> > defaults. And all the formatting features are disabled. I cannot
>> > change
>> > formatting features.
>> >
>> > What do I need to do/set to be able to use the format features in a new
>> > mail
>> > message? And to use the default formatting features in Tools/Options?
>> >
>> > Thanks very much for any help you can offer.
>> >
>> > Sorsche
>> >
>>
>>

Yes, of course. Thanks.

But the basic question remains: Why aren't the default settings working?
In every other version of OE I've used, once I've set the defaults, I
immediately SEE the defaults in the text of an email message. e.g. I use
Verdana, teal, italic - But the defaults aren't working in an email message.

"Bruce Hagen" wrote:

> If you are indeed using HTML, then just put the cursor in the message body
> and click Format. Those options are always grayed out until the message body
> is active.
> --
> Bruce Hagen
> MS MVP - Outlook Express
> ~IB-CA~
>
> "Sorsche" <Sorsche.RemoveThis@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:E62EE697-1DA6-4850-933D-CBBB9E94CE77@microsoft.com...
> > Hi Bruce,
> > I mean that when I've opened a new, blank mail mesage, and select the
> > Format
> > menu option, that the Style, Font, Paragraph, Increase and Decrease Indent
> > features are "greyed out" - they do not open. I cannot select a different
> > font/text color/size/ bold etc.
> >
> > Yes, I'm set to send/receive in HTML
> >
> > The number in msoe.dll is: 6.00.2900.2180
> >
> > Thanks much for your help. Appreciated.
> >
> > S
> >
> >
> > "Bruce Hagen" wrote:
> >
> >> When you say the formatting features are disabled, can you see the Format
> >> Bar? Are you using HTML? If you have switched to Plain Text, the Format
> >> bar
> >> isn't available.
> >>
> >> XP version makes no difference. In OE | Help | About MSOE - What is the
> >> number under msoe.dll?
> >> --
> >> Bruce Hagen
> >> MS MVP - Outlook Express
> >> ~IB-CA~
> >>
> >> "Sorsche" <Sorsche.RemoveThis@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> >> news:6F7FEFA8-F614-4B83-A89C-DF6A484E6F81@microsoft.com...
> >> > Hello,
> >> > I'm using Outlook Express on XP ( version 6.0026.00000 6.0
> >> > (XPSP_SP2) )
> >> >
> >> > Initially, I was able to set-up Compose Settings Defaults in
> >> > Tools/Options/Compose. And the settings still appear to be set when I
> >> > reopen
> >> > the Tools menu option.
> >> >
> >> > However, when I create a new mail message, the system isn't using the
> >> > defaults. And all the formatting features are disabled. I cannot
> >> > change
> >> > formatting features.
> >> >
> >> > What do I need to do/set to be able to use the format features in a new
> >> > mail
> >> > message? And to use the default formatting features in Tools/Options?
> >> >
> >> > Thanks very much for any help you can offer.
> >> >
> >> > Sorsche
> >> >
> >>
> >>
>
>

If you are using stationery, that could make it default to a specific font.
If it is just a normal e-mail:

You may have a damaged identity. File | Identity | Add New Identity. Create
a new one and test it. If all is well, you can import your messages from the
old identity and delete it.
--
Bruce Hagen
MS MVP - Outlook Express
~IB-CA~

"Sorsche" <Sorsche.DeleteThis@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:E4FD392B-5120-49F0-BAD2-A5DF470CFF9E@microsoft.com...
> Yes, of course. Thanks.
>
> But the basic question remains: Why aren't the default settings working?
> In every other version of OE I've used, once I've set the defaults, I
> immediately SEE the defaults in the text of an email message. e.g. I use
> Verdana, teal, italic - But the defaults aren't working in an email
> message.
>
> "Bruce Hagen" wrote:
>
>> If you are indeed using HTML, then just put the cursor in the message
>> body
>> and click Format. Those options are always grayed out until the message
>> body
>> is active.
>> --
>> Bruce Hagen
>> MS MVP - Outlook Express
>> ~IB-CA~
>>
>> "Sorsche" <Sorsche.DeleteThis@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:E62EE697-1DA6-4850-933D-CBBB9E94CE77@microsoft.com...
>> > Hi Bruce,
>> > I mean that when I've opened a new, blank mail mesage, and select the
>> > Format
>> > menu option, that the Style, Font, Paragraph, Increase and Decrease
>> > Indent
>> > features are "greyed out" - they do not open. I cannot select a
>> > different
>> > font/text color/size/ bold etc.
>> >
>> > Yes, I'm set to send/receive in HTML
>> >
>> > The number in msoe.dll is: 6.00.2900.2180
>> >
>> > Thanks much for your help. Appreciated.
>> >
>> > S
>> >
>> >
>> > "Bruce Hagen" wrote:
>> >
>> >> When you say the formatting features are disabled, can you see the
>> >> Format
>> >> Bar? Are you using HTML? If you have switched to Plain Text, the
>> >> Format
>> >> bar
>> >> isn't available.
>> >>
>> >> XP version makes no difference. In OE | Help | About MSOE - What is
>> >> the
>> >> number under msoe.dll?
>> >> --
>> >> Bruce Hagen
>> >> MS MVP - Outlook Express
>> >> ~IB-CA~
>> >>
>> >> "Sorsche" <Sorsche.DeleteThis@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> >> news:6F7FEFA8-F614-4B83-A89C-DF6A484E6F81@microsoft.com...
>> >> > Hello,
>> >> > I'm using Outlook Express on XP ( version 6.0026.00000 6.0
>> >> > (XPSP_SP2) )
>> >> >
>> >> > Initially, I was able to set-up Compose Settings Defaults in
>> >> > Tools/Options/Compose. And the settings still appear to be set when
>> >> > I
>> >> > reopen
>> >> > the Tools menu option.
>> >> >
>> >> > However, when I create a new mail message, the system isn't using
>> >> > the
>> >> > defaults. And all the formatting features are disabled. I cannot
>> >> > change
>> >> > formatting features.
>> >> >
>> >> > What do I need to do/set to be able to use the format features in a
>> >> > new
>> >> > mail
>> >> > message? And to use the default formatting features in
>> >> > Tools/Options?
>> >> >
>> >> > Thanks very much for any help you can offer.
>> >> >
>> >> > Sorsche
>> >> >
>> >>
>> >>
>>
>>

"Sorsche" <Sorsche DeleteThis @discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:6F7FEFA8-F614-4B83-A89C-DF6A484E6F81@microsoft.com
> Hello,
> I'm using Outlook Express on XP ( version 6.0026.00000 6.0
> (XPSP_SP2) )
>
> Initially, I was able to set-up Compose Settings Defaults in
> Tools/Options/Compose. And the settings still appear to be set when
> I reopen the Tools menu option.
>
> However, when I create a new mail message, the system isn't using the
> defaults. And all the formatting features are disabled. I cannot
> change formatting features.
>
> What do I need to do/set to be able to use the format features in a
> new mail message? And to use the default formatting features in
> Tools/Options?
>
> Thanks very much for any help you can offer.
>
> Sorsche

If you are using stationery and the stationery defines a font or font size,
that will over ride the default.

--
Frank Saunders, MS-MVP OE
Please respond in Newsgroup only. Do not send email
http://www.fjsmjs.com
Protect your PC
http://www.microsoft.com./athome/security/protect/default.aspx
http://defendingyourmachine.blogspot.com/

Problem Solved! Much obliged, and many many thanks!

"Frank Saunders, MS-MVP OE" wrote:

> "Sorsche" <Sorsche.RemoveThis@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:6F7FEFA8-F614-4B83-A89C-DF6A484E6F81@microsoft.com
> > Hello,
> > I'm using Outlook Express on XP ( version 6.0026.00000 6.0
> > (XPSP_SP2) )
> >
> > Initially, I was able to set-up Compose Settings Defaults in
> > Tools/Options/Compose. And the settings still appear to be set when
> > I reopen the Tools menu option.
> >
> > However, when I create a new mail message, the system isn't using the
> > defaults. And all the formatting features are disabled. I cannot
> > change formatting features.
> >
> > What do I need to do/set to be able to use the format features in a
> > new mail message? And to use the default formatting features in
> > Tools/Options?
> >
> > Thanks very much for any help you can offer.
> >
> > Sorsche
>
> If you are using stationery and the stationery defines a font or font size,
> that will over ride the default.
>
> --
> Frank Saunders, MS-MVP OE
> Please respond in Newsgroup only. Do not send email
> http://www.fjsmjs.com
> Protect your PC
> http://www.microsoft.com./athome/security/protect/default.aspx
> http://defendingyourmachine.blogspot.com/
>
>
>