OL2002: The Formatting Toolbar Is Disabled When You Reply to a Rich Text Message (287849)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Outlook 2002
This article was previously published under Q287849

SYMPTOMS

When you reply to an open message that is formatted in Microsoft Outlook Rich Text, the Formatting toolbar is not available (grayed out). If you click in the body of the message, the toolbar becomes available. You may also receive the following error message:
The spelling check was unsuccessful. Do you want to send anyway?

CAUSE

This problem occurs because you have the Close original message on reply or forward option enabled, and you are using Microsoft Word as your e-mail editor with the Use Microsoft Word to edit Rich Text e-mail messages option enabled.

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, reply to the message directly without opening the message, or disable the Close original message on reply or forward option. To do this:
  1. In Outlook, click Options on the Tools menu.
  2. Click the Email Options button.
  3. Click to clear the Close original message on reply or forward check box, and then click OK twice.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:7/27/2006
Keywords:kbbug kbnofix KB287849
©2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.