When I reply to an email, why do I get different screens? And another thing ...

[Bert4545]

My regular reply screen shows my 'signature', i.e. "Regards" followed by my full name a couple of lines below, followed by the email to which I'm replying. I used to get this every time I replied to an email. I type above "Regards".

But, just lately, I've been getting a blank screen to reply on. No signature, no copy of email I'm replying to, which must make it awkward for the reader to know what I'm talking about without going through his Sent emails folder.

I guess it must be something in the hidden codes of the email I'm replying to that makes this decision. How can I tell before I click 'Reply'.

While I'm asking, why do some emails I get run on over the screen edge, so I have to move the slider to see the end of the line? But most don't, thank goodness.

[gg30340]

Assuming that you are using a web browser and not an email client or email app you should log onto your email account and go to the settings found by clicking on your username at the right hand side.

Once in settings click on "Mail" in the right hand column. When on the page look for "Reply quoting original messages". Make sure that the box beside it is ticked. Then click "Save" at the foot of the screen.

Your other problem could be because the sender is sending their emails in "Plain Text" and not "Rich Text" which you are most likely using to view emails.

[Bert4545]

Thank you, DS, for your speedy response. In Settings, it already says "Reply quoting original messages"  and the box  that says: "Compose messages in rich text format" is also ticked.

I don't know what rich text and plain text means, but, obviously, the fact that I'm composing in rich text cannot affect what has been written to me. Could it be that the emails that get a blank screen when I click "Reply" have been written in plain text? It seems a bit odd that I've been reading and replying to emails for god knows how many years, and it's only in the past couple of weeks that a few people have been writing to me in plain text, if that's what the problem is.

Any ideas on emails where a line goes on forever? which is also not a frequent occurrence.

Is there anything I could find out about an email that would show the difference between one that I can reply to in the good old way and one that gives a blank screen?

I clicked 'Post' and got this message: Your post has been changed because invalid HTML was found in the message body. The invalid HTML has been removed. Please review the message and submit the message when you are satisfied.

I was not aware that I had put a n HTML, valid or invalid, in the above. But I did copy and paste "Compose messages in rich text format". Would that have done it?

[Bert4545]

What is the difference between rich text and plain text? The problem seems to have gone away, i.e. every email I've replied to recently has had my signature below where I type my reply.

[Michael_D]

I'm glad to hear that it seems to be working as expected @Bert4545.

The main difference between rich text and plain text is the formatting. Plain text is as it is described, it is just the text itself with no attributes like bold or italic, whereas rich text will allow formatting.

Michael

[Bert4545]

Thanks, Michael. Here, you see, is my problem. I don't really understand the terminology. When I 'format' an SD card in my camera, all the previous photos are erased. But you have told me what 'formatting' means in relation to rich text and plain text. I am left wondering why anyone would use plain text.

[Peter_W · Accepted solution]

Hey @Bert4545.

In this instance it's a very different meaning of the term 'format' to the context where it describes the process for wiping a memory card. 

With rich text, it's being used to describe the way the text appears and is laid out, including variations in size, styling, colour etc.

Most email providers use rich text via HTML by default, but if you use a font that the recipient doesn't have installed, it may end up looking different at their end. 

Plain text has far fewer features, but maximises compatibility between users.

Peter