Default Stationery for E-Mails and Posts

Many people don't realize that they have a choice in default stationery when composing a new e-mail or post. If you don't exercise this option, you get the standard "Compose Window" default: standard font-family, text color, size, and background (white background, black Arial font, 10 point size). Boooring! Let me show you how to add flair to your life by creating a simple default stationery of your own.

First, we need a stationery "script" to start with, one which sets font-family, text color, size, and background color. Here's an example which you can modify to suit your own tastes:

<HTML>
<HEAD>
<TITLE></TITLE>
<STYLE>
   body {
      margin-top:30px;
      margin-right:30px;
      margin-bottom:30px;
      margin-left:30px;
      background-color:#000000;
      color:#00ffff;
      font-size:12pt;
      font-family:lucida handwriting}
   a {
      font-size:12pt;
      font-weight:bold;
      color:#0000ff}
</STYLE>
</HEAD>
<BODY></BODY>
</HTML>

All of our default parameters have been set in the Style Sheet area, between the <STYLE> and </STYLE> tags. In the "body" section, notice we have set the general screen background color to black (#000000). We've set the window's font-family to Lucida Handwriting, the text color to teal (#00ffff), the font size to 12 point, and the top, right, bottom, and left text margins to 30 pixels each.

The "a" section, which describes any underlined links we might put in our e-mail or post, specifies that they be blue in color (#0000ff), 12 points in size, and bold weight. The font-family will be Lucida Handwriting, as specified in the "body" section. It is carried forward, since all links are part of the body of the window. You could specify a different font family for links, if you wish.

To create your own default stationery, highlight the above script with your mouse, copy it to the Windows clipboard, then paste it into a text editor like Notepad. Make the changes you wish, then save it to a convenient place on your hard drive. Remember where it is, as we'll need to browse for it in a moment.

You may also download the script here. It is in .ZIP format. If you elect to download it, unzip it then save it to your hard drive.

If you are good at HTML, it is possible to add an image or other objects to your default stationery. The idea here is to experiment with the HTML and script and see what you can create! As you will see from the window below, by clicking "Create New", a wizard can guide you through the process if you'd rather. The trouble with wizards, though, is you get cookie-cutter results.

In order to use your new default stationery, we first need to make two settings changes in Outlook Express.

Settings Changes

Start Outlook Express and click on TOOLS|OPTIONS|COMPOSE. In the window that appears, check the MAIL and NEWS boxes as indicated. Now, click on the SELECT button for each, and browse to your new default stationery file you just saved. For each, click on the file, then click OK. Now click APPLY and OK to set the change.



Remember: These settings only effect new e-mails and posts. Replies will still be in plain text if you have made the OE Settings recommended on the Tips page. The OE Settings are required in order to save stationery attachments (images and sounds).

To use your default stationery for regular e-mails and posts, simply click on the NEW MAIL or NEW POST button in Outlook Express.