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HTML signature in Mozilla Thunderbird Mailer?

Dave - How do I add an HTML signature to my Thunderbird mail account? I installed Thunderbird and now I find that it doesn't have an apparent sig file handler??


Dave's Answer:

Actually, Thunderbird does support HTML - and plain text - signatures, but the way you configure and install it is a bit more tricky than with mainstream mail programs:

First off, you need to create a signature file. A signature file may be formatted or unformatted. Confusingly, Mozilla states (incorrectly) that formatted signature files will only be visible to those who can view HTML files and recommend the use of an unformatted signature if possible. My experience is that if they can't see HTML, they'll still see your signature file, it'll just be formatted incorrectly.

For an unformatted signature file, create a new file in Notepad or your favorite text-only editing program. For example, you could create the file in MS Word and then select File / Save As and select type Text Only.

For a formatted signature file, create a new file in MS Word. Then select File / Save as Web Page. This will create a *.htm file. Or, if you have some experience with HTML, you can create this signature file directly. Just remember that any graphics you include will have to be hosted somewhere on the Internet, and that they'll force your recipients to access the 'net every time they read your email.

Once you have a file containing the signature you want, you'll need to activate the signature file, and this is the step that's a bit tricky:

  1. Click on Tools --> Account Settings
  2. Click on the email account in the top left corner of the screen that is your active account.
  3. Check the box on the right side of the screen labeled Attach this signature then select the new signature file you've just created.
  4. Click OK.

That should do it, and you should be ready to go with your new Thunderbird signature on your email messages!


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Categorized: Windows PC Help   (Article 6532, Written by )
Tagged: formatted email signatures, mozilla, thunderbird
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Reader Comments To Date: 8

Matthew Poer said, on May 10, 2006 3:48 PM:

Dave, why use MS Word to create a web page? Not only will it spit out ugly legacy code, that would actually put out an entire web page, not just the few lines or markup and text needed for a signature.

I would suggest the HTML begginner to visit W3Schools to learn some basics - http://www.w3schools.com/web/web_html.asp

Martin Sydenham said, on September 7, 2006 5:07 PM:

Dave, If you make explicit (i.e. "file=//") references to graphics files within your html signature, you can embed graphics in a Thunderbird sig which actually get included in the mail and don't need online access to (re)read. There's also a neat addon for Thunderbird called signature switch which makes sig handling a tad easier. Thanks for the page - helped a lot!

Joe said, on January 6, 2007 1:30 PM:

Hi Dave, Thanks for helping out new people like me. I tried your instructions and when my boss opens emails from me on outlook, he gets a funny line break of some sort between the greater than and lesser than symbols between my signature info and the graphic logo. But it is all in the same html. Why is that? Did I do something wrong? Thanks again.....

Houston berry said, on April 19, 2007 4:12 PM:

Hi Dave
Thunderbird sends it out the images as an attachment. It there anyway to send the html embedded so it does not show as an attachment?

Thanks
-houston

dochu said, on March 19, 2008 5:58 AM:

Hi Dave,
My inbox messages in Mozilla Thunderbird displays as HTML text which i dont understand. How can i switch back to plain text as in any other mail. I tried through 'composition & addressing' under tools menu but it didnt work.

regards
Doch

Dean said, on August 3, 2008 11:20 PM:

I am using Thunderbird 2.0.0.16
I am tasked with setting up signatures for our entire company and want to use signatures stored on our server. That way I can change them quickly without having to send out a lot of confusing instructions to the team each time we need to change an image in the signature code.

Each time I use TOOLS > ACCOUNT SETTINGS to change the signature to a network address, Thunderbird forgets that address as soon as I exit TBird and reload.

If I point to the network address via a shortcut on my desktop and then reference that as my file location, all is well until I change the file on my server. Then the shortcut has to be re-referenced or TBird keeps remembering the old (cached??) link.

I am lost! Help!

-Dean

Brandon said, on October 16, 2008 1:39 PM:

(I have the same problem as Dean)

I am using Thunderbird 2.0.0.17

I am tasked with setting up signatures for our entire company and want to use signatures stored on our server. That way I can change them quickly without having to send out a lot of confusing instructions to the team each time we need to change an image in the signature code.

Each time I use TOOLS > ACCOUNT SETTINGS to change the signature to a network address, Thunderbird forgets that address as soon as I exit TBird and reload.

If I point to the network address via a shortcut on my desktop and then reference that as my file location, all is well until I change the file on my server. Then the shortcut has to be re-referenced or TBird keeps remembering the old (cached??) link.

I am lost! Help!
Brandon

Kevin said, on October 21, 2009 4:50 PM:

Hi. When I put a Jpg logo in my electronic signature, it shows up as a square outline the the little "X" box in the corner. I think I'm set for HTML... Why won't the logo display??? thanks. Kevin

Starbucks coffee cup I do have a lot to say, and questions of my own for that matter, but first I'd like to say thank you, Dave, for all your helpful information by buying you a cup of coffee!

I do have a comment, now that you mention it!











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