Years ago, I had a slick HTML signature that was automatically added to all of my outgoing e-mails. Since then, I’ve gone through a few PCs and a number of Outlook updates, and in the process I lost my old sig. It may seem trivial, but it’s another easy way to promote your website to people who already have a level of trust with you.

Email signature in MS Outlook are by default text messages. However I wanted to create an HTML signature - It’s supported, but far from straightforward!

Here’s How You Do It:

1. Go to Tools/Option/Mail Format and set Send in this message format to HTML.
2. Create a file with .html extension in notepad containing your only HTML text and save it. Remember to set Save as Type to HTML.
3. Open it in Internet Explorer and copy it to clipboard using Ctrl-A Ctrl-C after first clicking within the explorer. Now the HTML is copied in proper format to clipboard.
4. In Microsoft Outlook go to Options/Mail Format/Signature Picker and click on New.
5. Choose a name for your signature (any name is fine) and click Next.
6. Paste your signature in the box provided using Ctrl-V.
7. In Tools/Options/Mail Format ensure that your signature name (chosen earlier) is selected as Use this signature by default.
8. Test by creating a new email and verifying that the HTML signature is actually included in the created email.

I know this method to work for Microsoft Outlook 2000 and 2003. I haven’t upgraded to Outlook 2007 yet, so I can’t say for sure if the same steps need to be taken.. Good luck!