Outlook 2003 - how the HECK can I view my emails in Arial (not Times)?

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  1. Posts : 207
    Windows7 Pro x64
    Thread Starter
       #11

    OK I am very nearly happy - but only via some genuine hacking.

    After doing the repair and selecting
    "Discard my customized settings and restore default settings"
    I now have Arial back for viewing emails (if Arial is what is selected in MSIEv8 > Internet Options > Fonts > Latin Based > WebPage font > Arial).

    Also when replying and forwarding I can set the colour of my Signature to be whatever I choose using:
    Outlook2003 > Tools > Options > Mail Format > Signatures > Edit > [then set the font and colour to whatever I choose - in this case 12pt Arial, Black]

    It turns out that the ONLY way to change the font was to edit the raw HTML in the signature file (which is an HTML file) using a text editor.

    I find it disgusting that after all this time Microsoft Outlook2003 STILLLn can not be set up to function sensibly and cleanly using normal user tools. And the very moment I can ditch those quasi-monopoly *******s at Microsoft, I shall be dancing on their collective grave.
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  2. Posts : 207
    Windows7 Pro x64
    Thread Starter
       #12

    In the end, after much experimentation, the ONLY way forward was to edit the signature NOT using any microsoft product and manually edit the HTML to change the font from Times New Roman to Arial.

    Bl**dy Microsoft. It utterly disgusts me that after all this time it they still havent fixed their products so that they can be used to product normal-looking emails. I shall be dancing on their grave the very moment I am allowed to get rid of msOffice.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 3,009
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
       #13

    I think you would probably find Office 2007 & 2010 have most, if not all of the features you require. They have come a long way since the 2003 version.

    However, I am pleased that you have managed to achieve a somewhat acceptable outcome for the time being. :)
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  4. Posts : 207
    Windows7 Pro x64
    Thread Starter
       #14

    The remaining thorn in my side is that Outlook2003 is not happy at 11px Arial. It seems that it HAS to be either 12 or 10px.

    We are EXTREMELY resistent to upgrading to Outlook 2007 or 2010. This is mainly because of the massive cost to upgrade the software for all our company. Also we would probably need to upgrade all our hardware too. And if you factor in the hardware, the new O/S, the new OEM msOffice plus all the engineer's installation time this works out at about GBP 800 per seat.

    GBP 800 per seat just because Microsoft cant write decent software?
    Maybe some day but you have to admit that it does kind of stick in the gullet.
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  5. Posts : 4,751
    Windows 7 Home Premium 32-Bit - Build 7600 SP1
       #15

    shiphen said:
    The remaining thorn in my side is that Outlook2003 is not happy at 11px Arial. It seems that it HAS to be either 12 or 10px.

    We are EXTREMELY resistent to upgrading to Outlook 2007 or 2010. This is mainly because of the massive cost to upgrade the software for all our company. Also we would probably need to upgrade all our hardware too. And if you factor in the hardware, the new O/S, the new OEM msOffice plus all the engineer's installation time this works out at about GBP 800 per seat.

    GBP 800 per seat just because Microsoft cant write decent software?
    Maybe some day but you have to admit that it does kind of stick in the gullet.
    I have Outlook 2003 and have my font on Arial 12 pt but I do see an option for 11 pt. If your problem has not been solved yet, post back and I will see what I can do to help.
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  6. Posts : 207
    Windows7 Pro x64
    Thread Starter
       #16

    No the problem is not yet fixed at my end.

    To recap, regarding HTML emails, I am trying to get the EVERYTHING the same size, colour and font:
    i.e.
    - The text AND signature when writing new emails
    - The text AND signature when Forwarding emails
    - The text AND signature when Replying to emails

    Yes, I can get the text into 11 point Arial under certain cirmstances, however I cant seem to get the signature to match it!

    Many thanks

    J
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 4,751
    Windows 7 Home Premium 32-Bit - Build 7600 SP1
       #17

    shiphen said:
    No the problem is not yet fixed at my end.

    To recap, regarding HTML emails, I am trying to get the EVERYTHING the same size, colour and font:
    i.e.
    - The text AND signature when writing new emails
    - The text AND signature when Forwarding emails
    - The text AND signature when Replying to emails

    Yes, I can get the text into 11 point Arial under certain cirmstances, however I cant seem to get the signature to match it!

    Many thanks

    J
    Here is what I did. See if you did anything different. == I opened Outlook and clicked on Tools > Options > Mail Format. == On "Compose in this Message Format" - HTML == Check "Use Microsoft Office Word to edit emails" == No Stationary == Click on "Fonts" to enter the 11 pt. Arial that you want. == Check "Automaticaly Display Rich Text" == Check "Always Use My Fonts" == Exit that screen == Click on "Signatures" and make yours. == You can then save the file in the three spaces above "Signature". Let me know if that helps any.
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  8. Posts : 207
    Windows7 Pro x64
    Thread Starter
       #18

    Hi BigMck

    Thanks.
    I tried all that. But the crunch problem seems to be: How do you create the Signature. The thing is that if you try to edit the font using the Edit Signature dialogue box within Outlook, that there is no option provided for a pixel size of 11.

    But if I do not modify the font at at, all I get is the font of 12 point Time New Roman. [Gads I never want to see that font ever again in my entire life!]

    The only other option is to try Advanced Edit. This then gives a warning saying "This will launch an editor that is not part of Microsoft Office Outlook. Do you want to continue? [Yes]/[No]"
    If I then click yes, my Windows7 computer if I this fails to work. In fact it gives the error message of "Cound not find and editor for H (.) files. [OK]". For what it's worth, on my WinXP PCs, it then opens up msWord which DOES let you set Arial 7. The problem is that it doesnt seem to work when the signature is viewed in Outlook.

    Out of desperation I tried looking for a file of the same name as my signature. And it turns out that there are three such files with the following extensions: .htm, .rtf and .txt.
    I even tried editing the .htm file using Dreamweaver 2004 but I cant work out how to set the default font to actually appear in Outlook as 12 point Arial. [Aaaarrrggghhh!]

    J
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 4,751
    Windows 7 Home Premium 32-Bit - Build 7600 SP1
       #19

    You can use the Advanced Edit which opens up MS Word. MS Word does have Arial 11 Pt. == You could save yourself a lot of grief if you used Arial 12 pt. You said you knew how to do that.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 207
    Windows7 Pro x64
    Thread Starter
       #20

    Like I say Arial 12 is too big.
    a) It looks irritatingly large on my own computer screen.
    b) It looks stupidly large on the screens of other people.

    J
      My Computer


 
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