About using Word as your e-mail editor

Some of the content in this topic may not be applicable to some languages.

When you use Microsoft Word as the default e-mail editor, you can take advantage of features such as:  

• AutoCorrect   As you write, automatically correct common typos, such as transposed letters and extra or missing letters.
• Automatic spelling and grammar checking   Check your spelling and grammar while you work. Misspelled or misused words are underlined and alternatives appear, eliminating the need to check spelling and grammar before sending a message.
• Automatic Bullets and Numbering   Add bullets and numbering to call out important points. Use a picture or other graphic as a bullet, or create a hierarchical list that has numbered items.
• Tables   Use tables to organize your information. When you use Word as your e-mail editor, the default message format is HTML, which preserves table formatting, even for recipients who do not use Word.
• Conversion of e-mail names and Internet addresses   Automatically convert e-mail names and Internet addresses to hyperlinks. Smart hyperlink formatting can even convert hyperlinks whose URLs contain spaces.
• Themes   Use Word themes to provide visual consistency and make your messages stand out.
• Autoformat   Format your message automatically as you type, and add formatting to plain text messages that you receive.
• Signatures   You can create custom signatures for different types of audiences. For example, use your first name for messages to friends and family, or your full name and e-mail address for messages to business contacts. You can also use a signature to add "boilerplate" text that explains how you want others to respond to your messages. You can specify to use one signature for new messages and another for replied to or forwarded messages. 

In addition, you can now set some options in Microsoft Outlook that you could previously work with only in Word. For example, you can create and set a default signature or stationery from Outlook. When you're working with a Word message, both the signature and stationery are available. You can also specify fonts for new, replied to, and forwarded messages. If you change these options from Word, they change the equivalent settings in Outlook, and vice versa.

Even if you elect to turn off Word as your e-mail editor, you can use it just for viewing messages that you receive, which can preserve formatting that might otherwise be lost.