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What is the best CSS method to use for HTML emails?

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What is the best CSS method to use for HTML emails? Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) forum discussing all levels of CSS, including CSS1, CSS2 and CSS Positioning. CSS provides a robust way of applying standardized design concepts to your web pages.

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  #1  
Old April 22nd, 2004, 04:06 PM
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What is the best CSS method to use for HTML emails?
I have a client who wants HTML emails (I know... I know...). I'm just curious what type of CSS works the best with the most email readers out there. I really don't want to go back to tables, <font>, <center>, etc...

Obvious choices are an external stylesheet linked to in the <head>. Downfall for that is if they aren't connected it may not load? Or I can do an internal sheet in the <head> or just use inline styles in each <div>, <p>, etc.

What are recommendations? I imagine the client is using Outlook or OE, but I haven't asked.

---John Holmes...
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  #2  
Old April 22nd, 2004, 04:09 PM
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I would say use inline styles (i.e., the style attribute in most tags), as it would probably be more cross-mail-program compatible. Just my two cents...
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  #3  
Old April 22nd, 2004, 06:40 PM
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I hate HTML emails but from what I've had to do I'd use an internal sheet unless there isn't that much formating in which case inline would be easier. I think it's more a personal preference but mail programs might like one better then the other.
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  #4  
Old April 22nd, 2004, 07:19 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Viper_SB
I think it's more a personal preference but mail programs might like one better then the other.
Yeah, that's what I'm worried about. Obviously it be easier to use an internal style sheet, but I'm worried about which mail programs will accept that and render the email correctly.

I found out the client more than likely uses outlook. I'll have to fire that up and create a couple emails to myself. If anyone uses it regularly, let me know if you know it already works.

---John Holmes...
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  #5  
Old April 22nd, 2004, 07:27 PM
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I use it (outlook) because of work but I don't get any html emails there, so couldn't really say. If you want me to test it send me a pm and I can give you an address to send it to.
Last edited by Viper_SB : April 22nd, 2004 at 10:21 PM.
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  #6  
Old April 22nd, 2004, 08:16 PM
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I always use the style sheet at the top of the email, works well normally.
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  #7  
Old April 22nd, 2004, 08:38 PM
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that's what i also use. but it sometimes doesn't work in evolution.
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Old April 23rd, 2004, 10:46 AM
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Not sure what version Viper_SB uses, but at work I'm using Outlook 2000 SR-1, if it's different from his version and you want me to test something PM me and I'll send you my work address.

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Old April 23rd, 2004, 10:56 AM
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I use outlook 2002 SR-2 for now but I believe they are wanting us to upgrade to 2003 soon.
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Old April 23rd, 2004, 12:23 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sepodati
If anyone uses it regularly, let me know if you know it already works.


Just to let you know that I use Outlook 2003 and any HTML emails that I receive seem to work nicely. I've just checked the source of some, and I've found both those with style sheets at the top and ones where attributes are set indivdually to each tag. They both work nicely. Like bcyde, I'll test anything out if you want me to
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  #11  
Old April 23rd, 2004, 12:43 PM
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The form is located at http://www.bigredspark.com/alsip

If anyone wants to try it out and see if the email they recieve is properly formatted, that'd be great. I just stuck to inline styles. The email address you provide in the form is where the resulting email will be sent. Don't worry, I'm not saving it anywhere. The email should look exactly like the filled in form when you get it.

Appreciate any feedback you have. I'm just using a simple Content-Type: text/html header (no multi-part, etc).

---John Holmes...
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Old April 23rd, 2004, 12:53 PM
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