This site will have limited functionality while we undergo maintenance to improve your experience. If an article doesn't solve your issue and you want to ask a question, we have our support community waiting to help you at @FirefoxSupport on Twitter and/r/firefox on Reddit.

Avatar for Username

Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

Natao arisiva ity resaka mitohy ity. Mametraha fanontaniana azafady raha mila fanampiana.

When I forward an HTML email with embedded graphics to someone, it forwards it as plain text.. this is driving me batty.. how do I forward such mails INTACT??

  • 3 valiny
  • 5 manana an'ity olana ity
  • 5 views
  • Valiny farany nomen'i Matt

hrlaser
hrlaser
more options

I have the latest Thunderbird installed on a new 64-bit Winblows Eight netbook.. fantastic program, but one problem is driving me absolutely batty, and after using the latest Thunderbird for weeks, I simply can't figure out how to fix it..

I'm on a lot of mfr. and other kinds of mailing lists, like eBay watch list alerts, and so on.. these are not s p a m (although I get plenty of that.. who doesn't).. but lists I WANT to be on..

Many such emails from those mailing lists are in HTML format with embedded graphics.. I'm not talking about graphic file attachments, but embedded graphics which are coming from the senders' servers, and appear AS a graphic in the email.. sometimes such emails are one huge graphic with hardly any text.. all well and good..

However, here's the problem.. when I want to forward such an email to a friend, Thunderbird ALWAYS formats it as plain ASCII text.. I know this because I look in the "sent mail" folder, and can see that it has turned an HTML email with embedded graphics into plain ASCII text..

I absolutely can't figure out how to get it to forward an HTML email with embedded graphics INTACT, so the sender receives it looking the way it looks when I receive it from a mailing list, or an advertiser, or eBay, or whoever..

Is Thunderbird capable of forwarding an HTML email with embedded graphics INTACT?.. If so, how / where do I turn on that capability?..

If the capability to do this isn't built into the program, is there an add-on I can install that will give it that ability?..

I am not new to computers.. but this really has me stumped.. I want to put Thunderbird on my 32-bit Vista laptop and stop using its horrible "Windoze Mail" program, which I've been using for years, and is slower than snot, and has all kinds of other problems..

So, assuming whoever reads this FULLY understands my question, PLEASE tell me how to get Thunderbird to have the ability to forward an HTML email with embedded graphics AS-IS, so the receiver(s) I forward it to see it exactly the way I see it when I receive it.. if that ability is built in, please tell me how to turn it on.. if that ability is not built-in, please tell me what add-on I need to install to give Thunderbird this capability.. if Thunderbird absolutely can't forward an HTML email with embedded graphics at all, please also tell me that..

A virtual box of candy and a dozen long-stemmed roses to anyone who can give me a solution that works..

Thanks..

I have the latest Thunderbird installed on a new 64-bit Winblows Eight netbook.. fantastic program, but one problem is driving me absolutely batty, and after using the latest Thunderbird for weeks, I simply can't figure out how to fix it.. I'm on a lot of mfr. and other kinds of mailing lists, like eBay watch list alerts, and so on.. these are not s p a m (although I get plenty of that.. who doesn't).. but lists I WANT to be on.. Many such emails from those mailing lists are in HTML format with embedded graphics.. I'm not talking about graphic file attachments, but embedded graphics which are coming from the senders' servers, and appear AS a graphic in the email.. sometimes such emails are one huge graphic with hardly any text.. all well and good.. However, here's the problem.. when I want to forward such an email to a friend, Thunderbird ALWAYS formats it as plain ASCII text.. I know this because I look in the "sent mail" folder, and can see that it has turned an HTML email with embedded graphics into plain ASCII text.. I absolutely can't figure out how to get it to forward an HTML email with embedded graphics INTACT, so the sender receives it looking the way it looks when I receive it from a mailing list, or an advertiser, or eBay, or whoever.. Is Thunderbird capable of forwarding an HTML email with embedded graphics INTACT?.. If so, how / where do I turn on that capability?.. If the capability to do this isn't built into the program, is there an add-on I can install that will give it that ability?.. I am not new to computers.. but this really has me stumped.. I want to put Thunderbird on my 32-bit Vista laptop and stop using its horrible "Windoze Mail" program, which I've been using for years, and is slower than snot, and has all kinds of other problems.. So, assuming whoever reads this FULLY understands my question, PLEASE tell me how to get Thunderbird to have the ability to forward an HTML email with embedded graphics AS-IS, so the receiver(s) I forward it to see it exactly the way I see it when I receive it.. if that ability is built in, please tell me how to turn it on.. if that ability is not built-in, please tell me what add-on I need to install to give Thunderbird this capability.. if Thunderbird absolutely can't forward an HTML email with embedded graphics at all, please also tell me that.. A virtual box of candy and a dozen long-stemmed roses to anyone who can give me a solution that works.. Thanks..

All Replies (3)

Toad-Hall
Toad-Hall
  • Top 10 Contributor
more options

What settings do you have here? :

  • 'Tools' > 'Options' > 'Composition' > 'General' tab

or

  • '3bar menu icon' > 'Options' > 'Options' > 'Composition' > 'General' tab

Forward messages: 'Inline'

click on 'Send Options' button

  • under 'Text Format'
  • select 'Send the message in both plain text and HTML'

click on 'Plain text Domains' tab and check that the domain is not listed here.

  • click on OK to save any Send Options changes
  • click on OK to save changes to Options.

Then check address book and locate that contact.

  • double click on contact to open the properties Edit contact window.
  • check..at the bottom 'Prefers to receive messages formatted as'
  • choose 'unknown', then both types are sent and the receipient will be able to see html.
  • click on OK to save any changes

Novain'i Toad-Hall t@

hrlaser
hrlaser Tompon'ny fanontaniana
more options

Dear Mr. Toad (my all-time favorite ride at Disneyland ;-) ..

Thanks so much for your detailed reply.. my netbook is in the bedroom, turned off.. I (so far) only use it in the evening, in the bedroom.. I've saved your response, and will try your suggestions, and let you know if they solve the problem I described. I really appreciate you taking the time to post such a detailed reply..

I can't answer your Thunderbird "configuration" questions, because I'm in the living room, using the crap Vista laptop, on which I plan to install Thunderbird, and then take Windoze Mail out in the street and drive over it a few times.. I'll get back to you one way or the other, and let you know if your instructions solved the problem, or not..

I don't understand why Thunderbird "out of the box", so to speak, simply doesn't forward HTML emails with embedded graphics, (like Outlook Excess, and Winblows Mail do).. without having to go through those steps. I personally HATE HTML email, but over the years, it's become more and more prevelant.. so it's a problem I must fix..

Thanks again..

Harv..

Matt
Matt
  • Moderator
  • Top 10 Contributor
more options

The default is to forward mail as both plain text and HTML. But some things can get in the way, such as add-ons and anti virus programs. One such add-on is enigmail which has been having a lot of publicity since the whole online spying thing started. Apparently it only works with Text, installing it wipes out the default and uninstalling it does not revert things. So you have been provided with a compendium really of things that may cause mail to be sent in plain text. We do not dwell on the cause, only fixing individual issues.