Change Email Format in Outlook for Windows
It’s easy to change the format of your Outlook email, whether it’s just for one message, replying to or forwarding a message, or if you want to set a default email format.
Change Email Format When Replying to or Forwarding a Message
In the message, select Reply, Reply All, or Forward. If you’re in the Reading Pane, select Pop Out to open the message in a separate window. (If you’re not working in the Reading Pane, you don’t have to do this. ) In the message window, select the Format Text tab. In the Format group, select either HTML or Plain Text, depending on which format you want to use, and then click Continue. (RTF is also an option. ) Your message will be sent in the format you selected.
Change Email Format for One New Message
Create a new message. If you’re working in the Reading Pane, select Pop Out. (If you’re not working in the Reading Pane, you don’t have to do this. ) In the message window, choose Format Text, and then select HTML, Plain Text, or Rich Text.
Change Default Email Format for Sending Messages
To set a default email format:
Go to File > Options. In the Outlook Options dialog box, select Mail. In the Compose messages section, select the Compose messages in this format dropdown arrow and select either HTML, Plain Text, or Rich Text. Select OK to close the Outlook Options dialog box. Your new default format is set.
How to Use HTML or Plain Text Formats in Outlook.com
If you use the Outlook.com webmail service, select either HTML or Plain Text from the Outlook.com settings.
Select Settings, which appears as a gear or cog icon. In the Settings menu, select View all Outlook settings. In the Settings dialog box, select Mail. Select Compose and Reply. Select the Compose messages in dropdown arrow and choose HTML or Plain Text. Select Save and close the Settings dialog box. Your message format has been set.
How to Change the Message Format in Outlook for Mac
Set individual messages to use HTML or plain text formatting in Outlook for the Mac when composing an email message:
Choose Format > Make Plain Text (available only when the current format is rich text). Choose Format > Make Rich Text (available only when the current format is plain text).
To use the same format for all messages, go to Mail > Preferences, select Composing, then choose a message format. If you want to use a different format for replies, select Use the same message format as the original message.
