Personalizing the color of your Outlook emails helps your messages stand out in a crowded inbox. If you are wondering how to change color on outlook email, this guide will walk you through every step. Whether you use Outlook for Windows, Mac, or the web version, you can easily customize your email appearance. Changing colors can make your messages more professional or add a personal touch. Let’s dive into the methods without any fluff.
Understanding Outlook Email Color Options
Outlook offers several ways to change colors in your emails. You can modify the background, font color, or even the entire theme. Each version of Outlook has slightly different steps, but the core idea remains the same. Knowing these options helps you choose the best method for your needs.
Why Change Email Colors In Outlook
Changing colors can improve readability and brand consistency. For business emails, using company colors looks more professional. For personal messages, it adds a fun element. Many users want to know how to change color on outlook email to make their inbox less boring.
- Enhances visual appeal
- Helps important emails stand out
- Matches your brand or personal style
How To Change Color On Outlook Email: Desktop Version
This section covers the classic Outlook desktop app for Windows. The steps are similar for Outlook 2016, 2019, and Microsoft 365. Follow these instructions carefully.
Changing Font Color In A New Email
To change the font color while composing an email, use the formatting toolbar. First, open a new email message. Then, select the text you want to change. Click the “Font Color” button (usually an “A” with a color bar). Choose your desired color from the palette.
- Open a new email in Outlook
- Highlight the text you want to color
- Go to the “Format Text” tab
- Click the “Font Color” dropdown
- Select a color or click “More Colors” for custom options
If you want to set a default font color for all new emails, go to File > Options > Mail > Stationery and Fonts. Under “New mail messages,” click “Font” and choose your preferred color. This saves time if you always use the same color.
Changing Email Background Color
To change the background color of an email, you need to use the “Page Color” feature. This is available in the “Options” tab when composing a message. Click “Page Color” and pick a color. Be careful with dark backgrounds as they may make text hard to read.
- Open a new email
- Click the “Options” tab
- Select “Page Color”
- Choose a color from the palette
- Apply it to your message
Note that not all email clients display background colors correctly. Some recipients may see a white background instead. Test your email before sending it to important contacts.
Using Themes To Change Colors
Outlook themes change the overall color scheme of your inbox and emails. To apply a theme, go to File > Options > General > Personalize your copy of Microsoft Office. Under “Office Theme,” choose a color scheme like “Dark Gray” or “Colorful.” This affects the entire Outlook interface, not just individual emails.
How To Change Color On Outlook Email: Web Version
Outlook on the web (OWA) has simpler options for changing colors. The steps are different from the desktop app. Here’s how to do it.
Changing Font Color In Outlook Web
When composing an email in Outlook web, the toolbar is at the bottom of the compose window. Click the “Font color” icon (an “A” with a paintbrush). Select a color from the palette. You can also use the “Highlight” tool to change the background behind text.
- Log in to Outlook.com or your work webmail
- Click “New message”
- Select the text you want to color
- Click the “Font color” button in the toolbar
- Pick a color
For default font color in the web version, go to Settings (gear icon) > View all Outlook settings > Mail > Compose and reply. Under “Message format,” you can set the default font and color. This applies to all new emails you compose.
Changing Background Color In Web Outlook
The web version does not have a direct “Page Color” option like the desktop app. However, you can use a workaround. Insert a table with one cell, set the cell background color, and type your text inside. This gives a colored background effect.
- Click “New message”
- Go to Insert > Table > 1×1
- Right-click the table and select “Table Properties”
- Under “Shading,” choose a background color
- Type your message inside the table cell
This method works well but may look odd on some email clients. Keep the design simple to avoid formatting issues.
How To Change Color On Outlook Email: Mac Version
Outlook for Mac has a slightly different interface. Changing colors is still straightforward. Follow these steps.
Changing Font Color On Outlook Mac
Open a new email in Outlook for Mac. Select the text you want to change. Go to the “Format” menu at the top. Choose “Font” > “Show Colors” or “Font Color.” Pick your color from the palette. You can also use the toolbar if it is visible.
- Create a new email
- Highlight the text
- Click “Format” in the menu bar
- Select “Font” > “Show Colors”
- Choose a color and click “OK”
To set a default font color, go to Outlook > Preferences > Fonts. Under “New mail messages,” select the font and color you want. This applies to all new emails.
Changing Background Color On Outlook Mac
Outlook for Mac does not have a built-in background color option for emails. You can use the same table trick as the web version. Insert a table, set its background color, and type your content. Alternatively, use an image as a background by inserting a picture and formatting it behind text.
- Insert a 1×1 table
- Set the table shading to your desired color
- Type your email content inside
- Adjust borders to make it invisible
This workaround is not perfect but gets the job done. Test your email on different devices before sending.
Advanced Color Customization In Outlook
For users who want more control, Outlook offers advanced options. You can use HTML to change colors directly. This is useful for creating professional email templates.
Using HTML To Change Email Colors
If you know basic HTML, you can change colors in Outlook emails. Insert a “HTML” block in the compose window (available in some versions). Use the <span style="color: #FF0000;"> tag to change text color. For background, use <div style="background-color: #FFFF00;">.
- Open a new email
- Click “Insert” > “HTML” (if available)
- Paste your HTML code
- Adjust colors using hex codes
- Preview before sending
This method gives you full control over colors. However, it requires some technical knowledge. Stick to simple HTML to avoid rendering issues.
Creating Colorful Email Signatures
Your email signature can also have colors. Go to File > Options > Mail > Signatures. Create a new signature and use the formatting toolbar to change font colors. You can add a colored background or use colored text for your name and contact info.
- Open signature settings
- Type your signature text
- Highlight parts you want to color
- Use the font color tool
- Save and set as default
A colorful signature adds a professional touch. Keep it simple and readable.
Common Issues When Changing Email Colors
Sometimes color changes do not appear as expected. This section covers common problems and solutions.
Colors Not Showing In Received Emails
If your recipient does not see the colors, it may be due to their email client. Some clients strip out formatting. Always use web-safe colors and test your email. Avoid using very light colors that may blend with the background.
- Use high contrast colors
- Avoid custom fonts that may not render
- Test on multiple devices
Default Color Not Applying
If your default font color does not apply, check your settings. In Outlook desktop, go to File > Options > Mail > Stationery and Fonts. Make sure you set the color for “New mail messages” and “Replying or forwarding messages” separately. Sometimes the settings reset after updates.
- Verify your default font settings
- Restart Outlook after changes
- Check for updates
Tips For Effective Color Use In Emails
Using colors wisely improves your email communication. Here are some practical tips.
Stick To A Consistent Palette
Use no more than three colors in one email. Too many colors look messy. Choose colors that complement each other. For business emails, stick to your brand colors. For personal emails, use colors that reflect your mood.
- Use one main color for headings
- Use a second color for accents
- Keep body text dark and readable
Consider Accessibility
Some people have color blindness. Avoid using red and green together. Use high contrast between text and background. Tools like the WebAIM contrast checker can help. Always test your email with accessibility in mind.
- Check contrast ratios
- Avoid color-only indicators
- Provide text alternatives for colored elements
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Change The Color Of My Outlook Inbox Background?
Yes, you can change the inbox background by applying an Office theme. Go to File > Options > General and choose a theme. This changes the entire interface color.
How Do I Change The Color Of A Hyperlink In Outlook?
To change hyperlink color, select the link text and use the font color tool. You can also set a default hyperlink color in the stationery settings.
Why Is My Font Color Not Changing In Outlook?
This may happen if you are using a plain text format. Switch to HTML format by going to Format Text > HTML. Also check if the text is in a read-only area.
Can I Use Gradient Colors In Outlook Emails?
Outlook does not support gradient colors natively. You can use an image with a gradient as a background, but it may not display correctly in all clients.
How Do I Change The Color Of My Email Signature In Outlook?
Edit your signature in the signature settings. Highlight the text you want to color and use the font color tool. Save the changes and set it as default.
Final Thoughts On Changing Outlook Email Colors
Knowing how to change color on outlook email gives you more control over your communication. Whether you use the desktop app, web version, or Mac, the steps are simple. Start with basic font color changes and experiment with backgrounds and themes. Always test your emails to ensure they look good on all devices. With practice, you can create visually appealing emails that capture attention.
Remember that less is often more. Use colors to highlight important information, not to overwhelm the reader. Keep your emails professional and readable. Now you have all the tools to customize your Outlook emails effectively. Try these methods today and see the difference.