OLEXP: How to Include Sound in Your E-mail Messages (261720)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Outlook Express 5.5 for Windows 98 Second Edition
  • Microsoft Outlook Express 5.01 for Windows 98 Second Edition
  • Microsoft Outlook Express 5.0 for Windows 98 Second Edition
  • Microsoft Outlook Express 5.5 for Windows 98
  • Microsoft Outlook Express 5.01 for Windows 98
  • Microsoft Outlook Express 5.0 for Windows 98
  • Microsoft Outlook Express 5.5 for Windows 2000
  • Microsoft Outlook Express 5.01 for Windows 2000
This article was previously published under Q261720

SUMMARY

This article describes how to send an e-mail message that contains a background sound. When you follow the procedures in this article, the sound is played automatically when the message is opened with an e-mail program that is capable of reading Multipurpose Internet Mail Extension Hypertext Markup Language (MHTML) mail, such as Outlook Express, Microsoft Outlook 98, or Microsoft Outlook 2000.

NOTE: The recipient must also have an e-mail program that is capable of reading MHTML-formatted mail to play the sound or a plug-in for the sound format that you choose.

MORE INFORMATION

You can use Outlook Express to format a Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) e-mail message with background sound. This feature is not available when you compose messages in Microsoft Outlook 98. However, recipients who use these versions of Microsoft Outlook can hear your sound. Microsoft Outlook 2000 and Outlook 2002 can do this when you compose an HTML formatted e-mail message with Microsoft WordMail as the editor. Use the Sound tool on the Web Tools toolbar to embed a sound file in the e-mail message.

The following table lists the file formats that Outlook Express supports for background sound.

Audio files.wav, .snd, .au, .aif, .aifc, .aiff
MIDI files.mid, .rmi
Real Media files.ra, .rm, .ram, .rmm

To create an e-mail message that contains background sound:
  1. Create or choose a sound file, and then note the file's location.
  2. Start Outlook Express, point to New on the File menu, and then click Mail Message.
  3. On the Format menu, click Rich Text (HTML).

    NOTE: You cannot use the plain text format to run background sound.
  4. On the Format menu, point to Background, and then click Sound.
  5. Click Browse, and then locate your sound file.
  6. In the Files of type box, click the file type for your sound file.
  7. Click your file, and then click Open.
  8. In the Repeat Settings box, click the number of times that you want the sound to play, and then click OK.

    Your sound is played in the e-mail message. You can return to the Background Sound dialog box if you want to change the file or settings before you send the e-mail message.
  9. Address your e-mail message, and then click Send.
For additional information about troubleshooting audio problems, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

263065 OLEXP: How to Troubleshoot Audio Problems in Outlook Express E-mail Messages

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:6/25/2004
Keywords:kbhowto KB261720
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