No left margin in replies! How do I fix it?
I'm using Thunderbird 68.4.2 on a late 2009 iMac running macOS 10.13.6 (that's the highest system software I can run on that hardware).
I frequently (but not always) find that I have no left margin on replies, and it's driving me (and my correspondents!) nuts.
I have noticed that when this happens, the font of the message is stuck on "-apple-system, HelveticaNeue (not installed)". If I change the font, it snaps back to that as soon as I start typing.
Is there any more information that is needed for someone to help me?
Thank you!
Chosen solution
Email received. If I click on Forward, I notice the issue you are experiencing. I can see that there are tables and a containing table butted up to the left side.
I can confirm the problem you are experiencing is nothing of your making and is purely down to the sender and how they have created that email.
If I carefully remove each table and cell, then the previously hidden html code appears and because the tables have been removed the natural indent for cursor also appears.
There was a meta name =”x-apple-disable-message-reformatting” which I think could be adding a “padding:0;” to the body tag of your email. The fonts are linked to urls and they are using OpenSans webfonts. Generally they are ok in emails, but can be over rided by a default depending upon email client and OS. eg: Apple Mail uses Helvetica by default.
Using 'View' > 'Message body as' and select 'Simple HTML' is all well and good because it removes certain css and auto inserts the small indent required.
There are alternatives workaround for those iritating emails. Go back to original setting.
- 'View' > 'Message body as' and select 'Original HTML'
You can force indentation on that email.
- Select email
- Click on 'Reply' (or 'Forward')
You notice this email is of the type butted up to left, so no indent. You could use the 'Indent Text (move right') option on the Formatting Bar. It is a one click solution, but it only indents your comments.
OR indent the whole email:
- Press and Hold down 'Cmd' key and press 'A' key (on MAC keyboard)
Note: For anyone reading this using a Windows OS it is 'Ctrl'+'A' This will highlight the entire contents of the email
- Select 'Indent Text (move right') option on the Formatting Bar.
OR
- 'Format' > click on 'Increase Indent'
Regarding the -apple-system, HelveticaNeue (not installed) font issue.
This sounds like your MAC has a default setting which is being called upon possibly due to the meta name setting in that email.
Suggest you check out the system default font and the default font set up for Apple Mail.
Maybe there is a typo with the font name or postscript.
https://www.macissues.com/2014/11/21/how-to-change-the-default-system-font-in-mac-os-x/
Sorry I cannot help more with sorting out MAC default font, but I'm using Windows10 OS.
All Replies (9)
Is this all from the same correspondent perhaps?
Is that the font you see when you click on the write button to start a new message?
My apologies for disappearing for so long. I'm back now.
No, not all from the same correspondent.
And also no, the font that I see when I click on the write button for a new message is "Variable Width".
Again, sorry that I didn't respond promptly!
When you click on 'Reply' all the css code created by the sender in their email to you, is copied into the reply email. This css code can effect the email you are trying to compose.
If the sender used some kind of template they may have the contents in a table. The background and possibly the table therin will be set to have no margin on left side. This will force the reply to also have no margin.
Select an email which causes a problem when replying so you can see it in the lower Message Pane. Click on 'More' button and select 'View Source'. The top section will be a load headers, below you will see the email. Look in the section that follows :Content-Type: text/html The <head> section there may be a load of css code refering to background, fonts, margin, color, etc like a list. Do you see this? The <body> section will follow and it will use all that css code. Read contents to see if there is any mention of 'HelveticaNeue'. Report back on what you notice.
Also post an image showing the following: Thunderbird > Preferences > Display > 'Formatting' tab click on 'Advanced' button to see the 'Fonts & Encodings' window. Post image showing contents of that window.
I see Content Type twice.
My correspondent's quoted portion:
Content-Type: text/html; charset="us-ascii"
My response:
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
The first mention of HelveticaNeue is in my original message, which in the body statement says:
font-family: "-apple-system", "HelveticaNeue";
margin: 0;
The screen shot you asked for should be below.
Did I miss anything you needed?
Thank you!
Does the problem ever occur in a new Write message?
re :The first mention of HelveticaNeue is in my original message
So you mean you created the first email, then got response and then you tried to reply to the response, but had margin problem. In that instance, was the first email you created done in Thunderbird or via a phone or webmail or other device?
In the image you supplied showing 'Fonts and Encodings', uncheck the option 'Allow messages to use other fonts' and click on OK.
Workaround for trying to respond to an email that has no margin due to css: select email 'View' > 'Message body as' and select 'Simple HTML' Then click on 'Reply'.
No, I never have this problem when writing a new message. Only when replying or forwarding.
I only do e-mail via Thunderbird. (Don't even own a phone. . . .)
I have unchecked the "Allow messages to use other fonts" and clicked on OK. That doesn't seem to help with the margin issue. It also doesn't help with the font issue. I try to change it back to Variable Width, and it goes back to the -apple-system font when I start typing.
I tried shutting down and restarting, but it still didn't do anything in that regard.
The workaround does work, and it even corrects the -apple-system font issue! Is there anyway I can set that globally so I don't have to do it on a message-by-message basis?
[On edit: Oh. That setting *is* global. Sorry! If you have a solution that works with Original HTML, though, I'd appreciate it.]
Thank you!
K
Modified by fugueink
I'm pretty certain that the css code is not being put there by you otherwise it would have been occuring in a new Write email.
If you set: 'View' > 'Message body as' and select 'Simple HTML' This is a global default setting and it will effect all emails that used HTML in all folders and accounts.
Regarding any email which you click 'Reply' or 'Forward' that shows the margin issue and HelveticaNeue font. Assuming it does not contain anything too private, could you 'Forward' one of those emails to me and I'll take a look at the css code. Email address: mail at anje dot co dot uk I've written the email address in that way so that spam bots cannot detect it in public forums. The 'at' should be replaced with '@' and the 'dot' would be replaced with a full stop or period.
Chosen Solution
Email received. If I click on Forward, I notice the issue you are experiencing. I can see that there are tables and a containing table butted up to the left side.
I can confirm the problem you are experiencing is nothing of your making and is purely down to the sender and how they have created that email.
If I carefully remove each table and cell, then the previously hidden html code appears and because the tables have been removed the natural indent for cursor also appears.
There was a meta name =”x-apple-disable-message-reformatting” which I think could be adding a “padding:0;” to the body tag of your email. The fonts are linked to urls and they are using OpenSans webfonts. Generally they are ok in emails, but can be over rided by a default depending upon email client and OS. eg: Apple Mail uses Helvetica by default.
Using 'View' > 'Message body as' and select 'Simple HTML' is all well and good because it removes certain css and auto inserts the small indent required.
There are alternatives workaround for those iritating emails. Go back to original setting.
- 'View' > 'Message body as' and select 'Original HTML'
You can force indentation on that email.
- Select email
- Click on 'Reply' (or 'Forward')
You notice this email is of the type butted up to left, so no indent. You could use the 'Indent Text (move right') option on the Formatting Bar. It is a one click solution, but it only indents your comments.
OR indent the whole email:
- Press and Hold down 'Cmd' key and press 'A' key (on MAC keyboard)
Note: For anyone reading this using a Windows OS it is 'Ctrl'+'A' This will highlight the entire contents of the email
- Select 'Indent Text (move right') option on the Formatting Bar.
OR
- 'Format' > click on 'Increase Indent'
Regarding the -apple-system, HelveticaNeue (not installed) font issue.
This sounds like your MAC has a default setting which is being called upon possibly due to the meta name setting in that email.
Suggest you check out the system default font and the default font set up for Apple Mail.
Maybe there is a typo with the font name or postscript.
https://www.macissues.com/2014/11/21/how-to-change-the-default-system-font-in-mac-os-x/
Sorry I cannot help more with sorting out MAC default font, but I'm using Windows10 OS.
Fabulous! Thank you so much!
I will definitely dig deep into the font issue. Until then, though, you've even given me a way to manage.
I and my correspondents salute you!