I have outlined the quickest way to use backgrounds and borders in Outlook Express. This is by no means the only way - but it is the simplest.
Now - Lets Get Started.
Step 1. Open Outlook Express
Click on the Create button top left hand corner on tool bar. - A new window will open up, this is your email, you can see that your details are already in the top address bar. (as per illustration A).
Illustration A
Note that the tool bar just above the message area is not live - click inside the message area and you will see the tool bar icons change to black which means the tool bar is live.
If the tool bar does not change to black go to the format button on the top tool bar and select the Rich Text option - You always need to have the Rich Text option selected when using background pictures and music etc. See illustration B below.
Illustration B
Step 2 Adding the background.
Now you are ready to click on format again and this time select the background option and then the picture option from the drop down menu.
A small box will appear with and address line and a button which says Browse. Click on this button and then browse to where you keep your background pictures. (I keep mine in My Documents in a folder named Backgrounds). Click on the background picture file you want to use and then click the OK button to the right of the browsing box. See illustration C below.
Illustration C
Your background is now inserted into your e.mail - THATS IT -
To add music to your email just repeat the above but click on the sound option from the drop down menu instead of picture.
Step 3 Adding your message
You are now ready to put your message into your email. This is where the tool bar just above the message area comes into play.
This tool bar is used to Change fonts, Type size, Font colour and margins etc. You should play with this bar and check to see how they each work. To change the typeface colour us the A icon which when you click on it will will give you a choice of the basic colours. To create margins, just click on the margin icon (the arrows indicate left or right margin) 6 or seven times until it is past the picture area and where you wish to start typing. (see illustration D)
llustration D
This guide is intended to show you how to add a background picture or music to any emails quickly. For those who wish to make scrolling stationery or other embellishments a search with these words 'Outlook Stationery Tutors' should produce lots of results with tutors for making full Outlook Stationery - or visit Lettermans Stationery Site, which has lots of info on making stationery and scripts.
