Are there smart Outlook signatures that can choose to be displayed as an image or plain text depending on the receiver?

March 3, 2009 5:49 PM

Is there a way to have a image signature in Outlook that will display predefined plain text in the event the receiver can only receive plain text emails?

I am using Outlook 2007 signatures and I currently have a couple different signature profiles setup. One is an image footer that has all my information as an image on the footer. The other is the same info as plain text. I wanted to send out only one considering I have no idea if the receiver is using plain text or html email that has image support.

Is there a way to have a image signature in Outlook that will display predefined plain text in the event they only can receive plain text emails (like a backup or embedded html code that will display the plain text if the image doesnt show up?)

posted by schindyguy to computers & internet (5 comments total)

No. Once the email leaves your client, you don't know if that person is going to read it with a web-based client (gmail, hotmail), a desktop client (thunderbird, outlook) or a command-line client (pine, mutt).

If you feel that the people you interact absolutely have to see your super-cool image with your info in it, then post that image online and send them a the address. Frankly, putting your contact info in an image makes it far less useful. (I want to copy your address and paste into google maps? Oh, can't copy text from an image - guess I'll type it all out by hand...)
posted by chrisamiller at 6:22 PM on March 3 [1 favorite]

Technically what chrisamiller said is correct. Though you can basically define you messages multiple times once as plaintext and once as html. So the image will show up if possible and if not the text will. How to do this in outlook I haven't a clue though. Also I agree it would be much nicer if the info was copy/paste-able.
posted by DJWeezy at 7:15 PM on March 3

Yes, but only a line of plain text.

From the Tools menu, Options, Mail Format, Signature, New, Right click over the white area where you type, Insert Image. You can put your text in the "Alternate Text" box.
posted by thatguyonmf at 7:16 PM on March 3 [2 favorites]

i knew it had something do with the html...thanks
posted by schindyguy at 6:17 PM on March 5

@thatguyonmf

i think i jumped the gun on your answer unless you can tell me where to find the alternative text box you talk about. i have inserted an image, where is the alternative text box?
posted by schindyguy at 6:19 PM on March 5