Grey out format toolbar when replying or creating Outlook HTML ema

[Mark Gould]

I have a very strange eymtom occuring on many machines running Outlook 2003
SP3 all patched with the Microsoft CRM4 Outlook client installed (although I
feel this a red herring)

When creating or replying to a HTML e-mail sometimes even though the cursor
is in the body text area, the formating toolbar will be greyed out (as if it
is a plain text e-mail) unless the user right clicks in the toolbar area of
tjhe message which apart from bringing up the toolbar customisation menu
wakes up the format toolbar.

Any else seen this and have any idea what is causing it?

Mark

 

[Roady [MVP]]

Can you reproduce this behavior when you start Outlook in Safe Mode?
Start-> Run; outlook.exe /safe

If not, your issue is very likely to be caused by an addin or a corrupt
outcmd.dat file.
See http://www.msoutlook.info/question/19

Otherwise, we'll need more info about which email editor you are using Word
or Outlook and if the same behavior occurs when switching editor.

 

[Mark Gould]

The issue comes and goes and differing machines and at differing times.
Therefore I don't think deleting the outcmd.dat and extend.dat will help.

We are using the Outlook mail editor.

Regarding trying the Word editor, I suspect the issue would not show as it
is different tools bars, and also because the issue is intermittent, I am
not sure when the issue would show.

Mark

 

[Mike Shen]

Hi Mark,

Thank you for posting.

From your post, I understand the formatting toolbar is grayed out when you
edit a HTML message even though the cursor is in the body text area. If I'm
off base, please feel free to let me know.

It is a strange problem and I agree with Robert that the issue may occur if
some third-party add-ins conflict with Outlook. I suggest you run "Outlook
/safe" a period of time to disable third-party add-ins and check whether
the issue can be reproduced.

Sincerely,
Mike Shen
Microsoft Online Community Support
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[Thang Nguyen]

I just found a work around that works for me all the time when I reply or create new email.

1. start or reply an email
2. From Main Menu bar:
Insert --> File
3. From Insert Files window
Click Cancel (or x at top right corner)

Problem would be solved.
I think it's an Outlook's bug.
Hope that help.
Thang

I have a very strange eymtom occuring on many machines running Outlook 2003
SP3 all patched with the Microsoft CRM4 Outlook client installed (although I
feel this a red herring)

When creating or replying to a HTML e-mail sometimes even though the cursor
is in the body text area, the formating toolbar will be greyed out (as if it
is a plain text e-mail) unless the user right clicks in the toolbar area of
tjhe message which apart from bringing up the toolbar customisation menu
wakes up the format toolbar.

Any else seen this and have any idea what is causing it?

Mark

On Thursday, February 19, 2009 8:48 AM Roady [MVP] wrote:
Can you reproduce this behavior when you start Outlook in Safe Mode?
Start-> Run; outlook.exe /safe

If not, your issue is very likely to be caused by an addin or a corrupt
outcmd.dat file.
See http://www.msoutlook.info/question/19

Otherwise, we'll need more info about which email editor you are using Word
or Outlook and if the same behavior occurs when switching editor.

 

[Goobus]

HoopleHead Egghead: Do you really think the OP is coming back to read
your reply to a post he/she made in 2009?

I just found a work around that works for me all the time when I reply or create new email.

1. start or reply an email
2. From Main Menu bar:
Insert --> File
3. From Insert Files window
Click Cancel (or x at top right corner)

Problem would be solved.
I think it's an Outlook's bug.
Hope that help.
Thang

I have a very strange eymtom occuring on many machines running Outlook 2003
SP3 all patched with the Microsoft CRM4 Outlook client installed (although I
feel this a red herring)

When creating or replying to a HTML e-mail sometimes even though the cursor
is in the body text area, the formating toolbar will be greyed out (as if it
is a plain text e-mail) unless the user right clicks in the toolbar area of
tjhe message which apart from bringing up the toolbar customisation menu
wakes up the format toolbar.

Any else seen this and have any idea what is causing it?

Mark

On Thursday, February 19, 2009 8:48 AM Roady [MVP] wrote:
Can you reproduce this behavior when you start Outlook in Safe Mode?
Start-> Run; outlook.exe /safe

If not, your issue is very likely to be caused by an addin or a corrupt
outcmd.dat file.
See http://www.msoutlook.info/question/19

Otherwise, we'll need more info about which email editor you are using Word
or Outlook and if the same behavior occurs when switching editor.

--
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

On Thursday, February 19, 2009 11:41 AM Mark Gould wrote:
The issue comes and goes and differing machines and at differing times.
Therefore I don't think deleting the outcmd.dat and extend.dat will help.

We are using the Outlook mail editor.

Regarding trying the Word editor, I suspect the issue would not show as it
is different tools bars, and also because the issue is intermittent, I am
not sure when the issue would show.

Mark
message news:%[email protected]...

On Thursday, February 26, 2009 12:18 AM v-mishe wrote:
Hi Mark,

Thank you for posting.

From your post, I understand the formatting toolbar is grayed out when you
edit a HTML message even though the cursor is in the body text area. If I'm
off base, please feel free to let me know.

It is a strange problem and I agree with Robert that the issue may occur if
some third-party add-ins conflict with Outlook. I suggest you run "Outlook
/safe" a period of time to disable third-party add-ins and check whether
the issue can be reproduced.

Sincerely,
Mike Shen
Microsoft Online Community Support
==================================================
Get notification to my posts through email? Please refer to
http://msdn.microsoft.com/subscriptions/managednewsgroups/default.aspx#notif
ications.

With newsgroups, MSDN subscribers enjoy unlimited, free support as opposed
to the limited number of phone-based technical support incidents. Complex
issues or server-down situations are not recommended for the newsgroups.
Issues of this nature are best handled working with a Microsoft Support
Engineer using one of your phone-based incidents.
==================================================
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

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[ajbuchan22]

I noticed this problem was happening when I replied to an e-mail that wasnt the most recent one in the trail. "Reply all" to most recent message and formatting toolbar was available.