A handout from the Online Information Series
Copyright (c) 2005, Jolene M. Morris, All Rights Reserved

How to Create a Signature Block

These instructions will help you create a signature block that will automatically append to every message you send.

1. Open Outlook Express and start a NEW message (e-mail message or newsgroup message--it doesn't matter). Do not worry about the TO or SUBJECT fields. You will only be working with the body of the message. Click in the body of the message to make that portion of the window active. You should see your flashing cursor (a horizontal, insertion line) in the body of the message.
    
2. Insert a horizontal line (INSERT > HORIZONTAL LINE) if desired. You can click on that horizontal line and change its color (just as you would change the color of text).
    
3. Type your name using any font, style, size, and color you want.
    
4. Type the name of your school or affiliation on the next line.
    
5. Type your e-mail address on the next line.
    
6. If desired, add other OPTIONAL lines: alternate e-mail, your phone number, Instant Messenger name, etc. Don't add any graphics/clip art, but you can use any of the Webdings or Wingdings font characters. You can even type a quote or cute saying (called a Tag Line). Here are examples of three signatures (used with permission):

10. In the file menu, choose SAVE AS and change the file save type to HTML. Save your signature into your "My Documents" folder on your computer. 
     
11. (OPTIONAL) Check to see if your signature block looks OK--locate and double click on the file to open it in Internet Explorer.
     
12. To make any changes to your signature once you have closed the signature message, you must import it back into OE: In the body of a new message, INSERT > TEXT FROM FILE then browse to your signature. If you have any trouble fixing your signature exactly as you want it, send it to me and tell me what needs fixing. I'll be glad to help.
     
13. Now you are ready to add your signature to Outlook Express.  In the Tools > Options menu, go to the "Signatures" tab and click on the New button (See the red 13a on the picture to the right.) This will cause a check in the box for "Add signatures to all outgoing messages."  (See the red 13b on the picture to the right.) If the checkbox for "Don't add signatures to Replies and Forwards" has a check in it, remove that check.
     
14. Mark the option radio box for File. (See the red 14 on the picture to the right.)
     
15. Browse to find your signature file. (See the red 15 on the picture to the right.)
     
16. Click the APPLY button then the OK button. (See the red 16 on the picture to the right.)

Check your signature to be sure it is working properly by sending yourself a message. It is possible to create a different signature for your e-mail and your newsgroups. If you have any questions about creating or implementing signature blocks, please feel free to contact me.

Copyright (c) 2005, Jolene M. Morris, All Rights Reserved