How to set replies to be in a different colour

Anonymous 0 Reputation points
2026-11-13T13:21:26.2966667+00:00

Hi there,

I can't figure out how to have my email replies in a different colour. My outgoing emails are in black and that is fine, but I would like my replies to emails to be in a different colour. Is that setting possible in the new outlook?

Outlook | Windows | New Outlook for Windows | For business
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  1. BabybooHN 3,975 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-11-13T13:28:59.7733333+00:00

    Dear @Anonymous

    New Outlook currently uses one default font colour for both new emails and replies, so it does not offer a separate automatic reply colour like Classic Outlook. Microsoft’s instructions distinguish these settings between the two versions.

    To keep new emails black, I recommend changing the colour manually when replying:

    1. Select Reply, then click inside your reply.
    2. Open Formatting options (the A icon), if the formatting toolbar is hidden.
    3. Choose Font colour and select your preferred colour before typing.

    If you have already typed your reply, highlight only your own text and apply the colour.

    If you need this applied automatically, Classic Outlook supports it under File > Options > Mail > Stationery and Fonts > Replying or forwarding messages > Font. Please refer to this document: Change the default font or text color for email messages in Outlook

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  2. AI answer

    2026-11-13T13:22:01.4833333+00:00

    New Outlook for Windows does not currently provide a separate default font colour for replies; to apply a different colour automatically to replies while keeping new messages black, use Classic Outlook’s Replying or forwarding messages setting.

    Set a separate reply colour in Classic Outlook

    1. Turn off the New Outlook toggle to return to Classic Outlook.
    2. Select File → Options → Mail.
    3. Under Compose messages, select Stationery and Fonts.
    4. On the Personal Stationery tab:
      • Under New mail messages, select Font and leave the colour black.
      • Under Replying or forwarding messages, select Font, choose the desired colour, and select OK.
    5. Select OK until all dialogs close.

    The reply/forward setting takes effect immediately and is independent of the new-message setting.^1^

    Options while remaining in New Outlook

    New Outlook provides one general compose format under:

    View → View settings → Mail → Compose → Message format

    That setting does not expose Classic Outlook’s separate Replying or forwarding messages control.^1^

    You can still change the text colour manually while composing each reply by selecting the reply text and choosing a colour from the formatting toolbar. New Outlook offers preset colours; custom HEX colour entry is not currently available.^2^

    References

    1. Change the default font or text color for email messages in Outlook | Microsoft Support
    2. How to set a HEX number for composing messages in Outlook - Microsoft Q&A
    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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