Google Groups no longer supports new Usenet posts or subscriptions. Historical content remains viewable.
Dismiss

How do I change the default font for incoming mail messages?

5,540 views
Skip to first unread message

Lori

unread,
Jul 28, 2006, 3:19:02 PM7/28/06
to
Where do I go to change the default font/size for incoming mail messages?
--
Lori

Mary

unread,
Jul 28, 2006, 7:12:42 PM7/28/06
to
Tools, options, mail format, fonts.

Tina

unread,
Sep 12, 2006, 4:36:03 PM9/12/06
to
Mary,

I've tried your suggested solution but there's not a section to change the
font for the incoming messages. The only choices I have are :
- Composing a new message
- Replying and forwarding
- composing and reading plain text

I'm am on Outlook 2003 and using Word as my e-mail editor. I really am
desperate to find a solution - we're wasting a lot of paper printing orders
that only need to be on one page, but can't get the font size smaller.

Any help or suggestions you have would be appreciated.

Tina Kopko
Kyle Design

Jas Micro

unread,
Sep 25, 2006, 3:59:02 PM9/25/06
to
I'm having exactly the same problem. Maybe by just changing the screen
resolution from 800X600 pixels would work!

Diane Poremsky [MVP]

unread,
Sep 25, 2006, 5:07:18 PM9/25/06
to
it sounds like she wants to print them on one page and changing the screen
resolution won't help with that. Changing the fonts in tools, options, mail
format should fix it for plain text messages, but html usually is hardcoded.

It may help to look in the print properties and adjust the margins.

--
Diane Poremsky [MVP - Outlook]
Author, Teach Yourself Outlook 2003 in 24 Hours
Coauthor, OneNote 2003 for Windows (Visual QuickStart Guide)
Need Help with Common Tasks? http://www.outlook-tips.net/beginner/
Outlook 2007: http://www.slipstick.com/outlook/ol2007/

Outlook Tips: http://www.outlook-tips.net/
Outlook & Exchange Solutions Center: http://www.slipstick.com
Subscribe to Exchange Messaging Outlook newsletter:
EMO-NEWSLETTER-S...@PEACH.EASE.LSOFT.COM


"Jas Micro" <JasM...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:F761CDAC-528F-45A0...@microsoft.com...

fofo

unread,
Jun 27, 2007, 4:58:05 PM6/27/07
to
Hi Lori,

Try this:
1. In Outlook, Click on View- Arrange By- Current View - Customize Current
View.
2. Click Other Settings.
3. Click on Row Font.
4. Choose the font, font style and size that you want.
5. Click OK.
6. Click OK again.

Fofo

L.@discussions.microsoft.com Ronnie L.

unread,
May 14, 2008, 6:26:03 PM5/14/08
to
FoFo:

From what I can tell, Fofo's explanation helps to increase font size when
you are looking at the "main email page" in outlook, however it does not
actually change or increase the font size for incoming messages. From what I
can tell, the font size for incoming emails will be based on the senting the
sender has on their computer.

Therefore, the saga contiunes.

Roady [MVP]

unread,
May 14, 2008, 9:04:42 PM5/14/08
to
See http://www.msoutlook.info/question/67

--
Robert Sparnaaij [MVP-Outlook]
Coauthor, Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003
http://www.howto-outlook.com/
Outlook FAQ, HowTo, Downloads, Add-Ins and more

http://www.msoutlook.info/
Real World Questions, Real World Answers

-----

"Ronnie L." <Ronnie L.@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:90E0B027-0C81-40F2...@microsoft.com...

Chris Game

unread,
May 15, 2008, 7:46:10 AM5/15/08
to
On Thu, 15 May 2008 03:04:42 +0200, Roady [MVP] wrote:

> See http://www.msoutlook.info/question/67

Well that is a really useful link! Why they couldn't put that into
the help file I don't know - or better yet, put all the font
settings in one place! I think Outlook must have missed out on all
that famous usability work done on Office2007. If only (Al)Pine
could handle character set issues better, I'd be back there like a
shot...

--
Chris Game

How to report bugs effectively:
http://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/bugs.html

Roady [MVP]

unread,
May 15, 2008, 6:02:44 PM5/15/08
to
You're welcome! :-)
If they made their application and help-files perfect, I would need to find
another hobby ;-)

--
Robert Sparnaaij [MVP-Outlook]
Coauthor, Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003
http://www.howto-outlook.com/
Outlook FAQ, HowTo, Downloads, Add-Ins and more

http://www.msoutlook.info/
Real World Questions, Real World Answers

-----

"Chris Game" <chri...@example.net> wrote in message
news:yd6s9ijh...@example9876.com...

Betty

unread,
May 24, 2008, 7:48:22 AM5/24/08
to
I never used Word for my mail but I was able to change the font for the
incoming mail. It must have been on an 8 and I put it on 12. Using word, it
can be changed as low as an 8, which is pretty small for my eyes. It doesn't
matter what the person that sent you the mail is using, you can change your
computers font. I followed Fofo instructions and it worked fine. Now I can
see my incoming mail fine.
Betty

Betty

unread,
May 24, 2008, 7:52:18 AM5/24/08
to
I didn't notice the date on this post. I am sure that Lori has her problem
solved by now. Betty

Betty

unread,
May 24, 2008, 3:16:01 PM5/24/08
to
When I opened my email, the incoming mail was like a font size 8 but the
message itself, was a 10 or 12. Because that is the way I had it set but
didn't know how to set the incoming mail. I followed Fofo instructions and
now when the top pane tells me there is new messages, they are set at the
number I choose, which is a 10. If the sender of that message, had real bad
vision, and used a 14 or bigger font size, it would not come into my mail box
as a 14. It will come in with the font size that I selected. Otherwise, if I
have 10 people on my mailing list and each one of them has their font set at
10 different font sizes, then my incoming mail would come in as 10 different
sizes. Fofo's instructions does work. Betty

Srini

unread,
Jun 26, 2008, 5:53:00 AM6/26/08
to
follow the procedure below:

view-->CurrentView-->Customize CurrentView-->Automatic Formatting--->

Then select wt r the rule you want to do for headers and unread msgs..


time soldier@discussions.microsoft.com One time soldier

unread,
Jul 27, 2008, 5:38:21 PM7/27/08
to

Mavric

unread,
Aug 7, 2008, 11:26:06 PM8/7/08
to
Try this:

1. In Outlook, Click on View- Arrange By- Current View - Customize Current
View.

2. Click Automatic Formatting.
3. Click on Font.

4. Choose the font, font style and size that you want.
5. Click OK.
6. Click OK again.

Very much the same as Fofo suggested, just clicking Automatic Formatting
instead of Other Settings.

Mav :)

Larry

unread,
Sep 21, 2008, 2:20:00 PM9/21/08
to

"Mavric" wrote:

This appears to only change the incoming notifications but once opened then
the mail goes back to a smaller font. I do I retain the larger font setting
even after the email has been opened?

sghalliday

unread,
Dec 3, 2008, 8:27:00 AM12/3/08
to
I have a similar question and the help below does not work for me.

I have just changed from Outlook 2003 to Outlook 2007 and now several of my
incoming newsletters do not look right. The fonts have changed from Arial to
Times Roman (or equivalent) and the formatting is not the same as before. Is
there a setting that I have not changed to bring things back to where they
were?

..steve

aerowelder

unread,
Jan 25, 2009, 4:47:01 PM1/25/09
to
GO TO TOOLS
OPTIONS
MAIL FORMAT
STATIONARY AND FONTS
PERSONAL STATIONARY tab
COMPOSING AND READING PLAIN TEXT. Choose a font higher than 12, say 16 or
whatever you like. You can even change font style.

Tammy

unread,
Feb 2, 2009, 11:49:00 AM2/2/09
to
Hi aerowelder,

I saw how this worked for "plain text" messages, but most of the emails we
receive are formatted at RTF or HTML. Do you know if there is a setting for
these types of incoming messages?

We are having a problem with messages being sent in one font size (12 pts,
for example), but being received in a smaller font size (8 pts, for example).
I'm trying to narrow down if this is something that can be fixed through the
user's options, or if our Exchange server is converting messages after they
are sent for some reason. It is not the user's zoom setting, which seemed to
be the cause for many of the posts listed with a similar problem. I did post
a question about this last week, but I think I've stumped everyone out there.
So, I'm continuing to look through posts for anything that may help solve
this problem.

Thanks for any feedback!

Inam

unread,
Jun 21, 2009, 4:59:01 AM6/21/09
to
Hi Lori! I have the same problem of how to change the default font size for
the incomig messages in outlook 2007. Did you find some help?


Milly Staples [MVP - Outlook]

unread,
Jun 21, 2009, 5:40:56 AM6/21/09
to
The font on incoming messages is set by the sender, not the recipient.

--
Milly Staples [MVP - Outlook]

Post all replies to the group to keep the discussion intact.
ALWAYS post your Outlook version.
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/KB/555375


After furious head scratching, Inam asked:

Cabo4Me

unread,
Jul 23, 2009, 8:49:01 AM7/23/09
to
I was able to do this for the Inbox Pane, but I would also like to increase
the font in the Mail Folders Pane --- anyone know how to do this?

Cabo4Me

Brian Tillman [MVP - Outlook]

unread,
Jul 23, 2009, 11:28:51 AM7/23/09
to
"Cabo4Me" <Cab...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:81E1549E-C5E8-47AA...@microsoft.com...

>I was able to do this for the Inbox Pane, but I would also like to increase
> the font in the Mail Folders Pane --- anyone know how to do this?

The size of the font for the folder names in the Navigation Pane is controlled
by the Windows theme you've chosen.
--
Brian Tillman [MVP-Outlook]

in ky@discussions.microsoft.com disabled in ky

unread,
Aug 21, 2009, 1:48:02 AM8/21/09
to
you are partly right I don't have a fix for it but I ran a test. I had a
friend on his laptop (xp that uses 2003) send me and to another friend
running 2003 an html with no graffic in 20 pt font to both of us when it got
downloaded to my vista computer with office 2007 it was 8 pt font and theres
was fine. I have been getting html emails from lists i am on and when they
have no grafics they have there font made smaller. so no it is not just the
sender

CCRunnuR

unread,
Sep 24, 2009, 11:09:01 AM9/24/09
to
I helped someone at my office with a similar problem-- high resolution
monitor made the text/font size very small in the column that lists the
messages in your inbox. I played with Outlook for a long time trying to
help, and I found a way to fix it for Outlook 2003.

On the left side ("Navigation Pane"), single-click "Inbox" > single-click
any email > Up top on the "Menu Bar" click "View" > Click "Arrange By" >
Click "Current View" > Click "Customize Current View" > On the pop-up, click
"Other Settings" > Click "Row Font" > Select any font, style, and size you
want!

Hope this helps--I worked hard to figure it out!

pattiperk

unread,
Dec 22, 2009, 9:23:01 PM12/22/09
to
Somehow I changed the incoming font and I can't change it back. I don't know
what I did but now when the mail comes in it is inthe same size and font as
mine and it is distracting. Can you help me

patt...@verizon.net

jos5ph

unread,
Dec 24, 2009, 8:31:01 AM12/24/09
to
WRONG ANSWER

"Mary" wrote:

> Tools, options, mail format, fonts.
>

Barc

unread,
Jun 3, 2010, 3:37:09 PM6/3/10
to
FoFo's instructions only help with the Inbox pane of Outlook. They are
useless for the text of the message itself when opened in a separate window,
which is what I take to be the initial question of the thread.

Barc

unread,
Jun 3, 2010, 3:43:02 PM6/3/10
to
This is just what FoFo had (although he mistakenly put "Arrange By" in the
string of commands; it doesn't belong there). What I, and, I think, most of
the folks having problems here are after is a way to increase the size of the
font INSIDE THE MESSAGE ITSELF. I know that a couple of MVPs have said that
the user sets this, but I think that there should be an option to set the
text within messages either at a recipient-defined optimal or at a minimum
size.

Roady [MVP]

unread,
Jun 3, 2010, 4:05:56 PM6/3/10
to
> This is just what FoFo had (although he mistakenly put "Arrange By" in the
> string of commands; it doesn't belong there).
The instructions are correct for Outlook 2003 as the Current View menu is in
the Arrange By menu there.

There are a couple of ways to alter the size of the message text when
reading as well.
See http://www.msoutlook.info/question/67

--
Robert Sparnaaij [MVP-Outlook]
Coauthor, Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003
http://www.howto-outlook.com/
Outlook FAQ, HowTo, Downloads, Add-Ins and more

http://www.msoutlook.info/
Real World Questions, Real World Answers

-----

"Barc" <Ba...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:2884E576-71E9-4308...@microsoft.com...

Manish Thakur

unread,
Jul 4, 2023, 4:12:39 PM7/4/23
to
On Friday, July 28, 2006 at 11:19:02 PM UTC+4, Lori wrote:
> Where do I go to change the default font/size for incoming mail messages?
> --
> Lori

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Open outlook email and close the "Immersive reader tab"
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Manish Thakur

unread,
Jul 4, 2023, 4:13:15 PM7/4/23
to
On Wednesday, September 13, 2006 at 12:36:03 AM UTC+4, Tina wrote:
> Mary,
> I've tried your suggested solution but there's not a section to change the
> font for the incoming messages. The only choices I have are :
> - Composing a new message
> - Replying and forwarding
> - composing and reading plain text
> I'm am on Outlook 2003 and using Word as my e-mail editor. I really am
> desperate to find a solution - we're wasting a lot of paper printing orders
> that only need to be on one page, but can't get the font size smaller.
> Any help or suggestions you have would be appreciated.
> Tina Kopko
> Kyle Design
> "Mary" wrote:
> > Tools, options, mail format, fonts.
> >
> > "Lori" wrote:
> >
> > > Where do I go to change the default font/size for incoming mail messages?
> > > --
> > > Lori





0 new messages