How can I edit the HTML source code of an email in Outlook 2010 without any add-ins?

Question

I need to be able to make HTML custom emails with div tags, formatting, and such, and I need to be able to send it with Outlook 2010.

How is this possible?

Answer 1

Here is the solution for Outlook 2010/2013, without any plug-in but with Notepad++:

1. Open Notepad++, create a new file and save it in a temporary folder with a .html extension.
2. Click on Run > Send via Outlook; this opens a mail with your HTML code.

Beware that not using a .html extension, such as .txt, might create a new email with an attachment, rather than a new HTML formatted message.

Note the following image shows the French language translation of Notepad++. In English use the "Run" menu.

Answer 2

I'm running Outlook 2007, not 2010, but the instructions here worked for me:

Save the File as an HTML file,

Create a new message in Outlook 07 and go to Insert > and click on the Attach File (Paperclip Icon) Your browser will pop up, When you select the HTML file the INSERT button to the bottom right will activate - but to the right of the button there will be a down arrow, click on that, and you will see two options - INSERT and INSERT AS TEXT - CHOOSE INSERT AS TEXT - and your HTML will appear within the Email box !

Be aware that the HTML Outlook generates is at least as ugly as any of the auto-generated stuff from any Microsoft application.

Answer 3

You can install HTML Code Editor for Outlook.

http://outlookhtmleditor.codeplex.com/

You can download a installer on download tab. It'll allow you to import HTML file or edit HTML source code of your e-mail.

Answer 4

For anyone who comes across this question's accepted answer (which is referencing an older version of Notepad++), unfortunately in Notepad++ 8 and later, they seem to have removed this feature (the Execution menu has been renamed to Run and they've simplified it drastically).

BUT the underlying command in the old answer (used by the older version of Np++) was basically: "%pathToOulook%" /a "C:\pathToHtmlFile.html".

I am using Outlook 365 Click-to-run, and so the command that worked for me is: "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office16\OUTLOOK.EXE" /a "C:\temp\pathToHtmlFile.htm"

You don't need Notepad++ just for this, just run the command from a command prompt and you'll be able to preview your HTML in Outlook!