Please see below and image of the issue that I am having.

I can see you have used a table to position information in cells.

When you created this HTML signature, did you use Thunderbird Write window and 'Insert' > 'Table' , enter information, save file as HTML file and then tell Thunderbird account settings to use that file? OR Did you did you use Thunderbird Write window and copy paste this table from another source like MS Word, then save file as HTML file and then tell Thunderbird account settings to use that file?

Please explain exactly how you created that HTML file.

Also please tell me what you see if you do this: Click on 'Write' Type some content and save as 'Draft', then go to 'Drafts' folder and open the email. Do you still see the same red dots in the draft copy ?

The image indicates you are using a 'Reply' to person.

Do you see the same issue in a new 'Write message ?

Thanks for the Quick response Toad-Hall.

I am a designer, so I got a friend to write the HTML for the signature. He then sent it over to me in a .txt file. Once I received this I opened it copied it and then pasted it into the account settings window, ( tools>account settings>signature text) in the box titled signature text and made sure to click the USE HTML button.

When I write an email and save in drafts all the boxes disappear and the signature appears as I would expect it.

The issue occurs in a new "write Message" I haven't tried it on a reply yet as we don't want to use the signature till this issue has been solved.

Many thanks

The copy in the drafts is usually a good indicator of what the recipient would see. The red dots is a visual indication to you that there is a table and as this is the composing area, it would be visible just in case you wanted to modify something.

I created the same as a mock up test - just to be sure :) When I the click on Write, the selected signature shows an indication of the table with those red dots because there is no border width set for the table or cells. If there had been a border setting of eg: 1 or 2, then you have seen the actual border around the table, so would not need a visual indicator of where the table/rows/cells were located.

The extra thick red dot lines looks like the person possibly inserted another table into a table cell, instead of having one row with additional cells. I usually create a table with say three cell per row, then merge the cells in the rows where I only want one cell. But perhaps they had good reasons for doing it differently.

The code was hand written in text wrangler, Im not sure if he used tables to generate the html for the signture.

With your findings, is it possible to remove these orange dotted lines from around my signature?

Im aware that this is not how it will look when it is sent, however I worry that there is a possibility it will show up like this for the recipient and it doesnt look good.

Thanks

Sorry, but you cannot remove them from your composing view. To set your mind at rest, you could send me an email with the signature and I'll let you know what it looks like. Please note I do not repond to emails as I do everything via this forum, but in your case it may help to confirm your query. email: mail at anje dot co dot uk

What about if the signature was written in code without using tables, would this stop the issue that we are currently having in the composing view?

As it seems that the composing view is only showing the orange boxes due to tables being used to construct the email signature.

Thanks again for all your help

If no tables are used then there will be no red dots indicating it is there in composing view.

This can be done using the 'Write' window. Suggest you first uncheck using the signature option.

• Right click on mail account name in Folder pane and select 'Settings'
• uncheck the 'attach the signature from a file instead'.
• click on OK

How to create signature with image.

• click on 'Write' to open new write message

It should be completely clear in the composing area. Select all formatting using the 'Formatting Bar', even if already auto selected by default settings.

• Select the correct font, font colour as black and it looks like you use 'Arial' and 'bold' and increase the font size.
• Type: Accounts Team, press Enter/return key
• Select formatting for next line, looks like same font, colour red, slightly smaller font, and bold.
• Type 'Silverstone Paint Technology and press 'Enter'Return key.

• 'Insert' > 'Image'
• Select: 'Attach this image to the message'
• click on 'Choose file' button
• locate the SPT image you use which should have been saved in a folder on your computer eg: Documents\Signature Folder - not saved in any Thunderbird folder.

• Click on 'Open' - Image should be shown in the small 'Image preview' box.
• Select: 'Don't use alternate text' or type in 'alternate text' such as 'SPT'

Click on 'Dimensions' tab

• Select: 'Custom size' and 'Constrain'
• Change width to eg: 40 pixels - Height is auto adjusted

Click on 'Appearance' tab

• 'spacing' - left and right - suggest 10 pixels
• Align Text to Image: select 'Wrap to the right'

This will allow you to type to the right of the image.

• click on OK to insert the image

• Position cursor to the right of the image.
• select formatting using Formatting Bar
• Type in the telephone details etc
• Press Enter to go to new line and repeat the action of selecting the formatting and typing information.

Note; double clicking on the inserted image will auto open the image properties allowing quick access should you need to adjust anything. when finished and happy with results....

• 'File' > 'Save as' > select 'File
• Save file to a folder on computer.
• Give suitable name and put in a location easily remembered.

In my case, I have created a folder called 'Signatures' in my 'Documents' folder.

• You will need to select "HTML Files" in the "Save as type" list box. It must be saved as HTML file.
• Close the Write window.

Attach the HTML signature file: Right click on mail account name in Folder pane and select 'Settings'

• Select ; 'Attach the signature from a file instead'
• Click on 'Choose' button
• locate the saved html signature file and click on 'Open'
• Click on 'OK'