Dreamweaver CS4 and HTML tags

[jjimm]

I have just bought my staff the latest DW CS4. Their primary role is to make HTML emails for marketing (not spam!) purposes.

Because these are cross-mail-client emails, they can’t use stylesheets and unless it’s completely unavoidable, I don’t use embedded STYLEs at all - just old-school HTML.

But as far as I can tell, there’s no way to change a font in CS4, without using CSS. The people working for me have very basic HTML skills and do NOT need to know about standards compliance. They need a simple, effective HTML WYSIWYG, which CS3 fulfilled.

Does anyone know how to set up DW4 to allow this? In the CS3 version it’s a simple change in Preferences, but that preference isn’t there in the new CS4. I’m tearing my hair out here because if I can’t do it, I’m going to have to teach them to hand-code.

[ZipperJJ]

Are you asking how to get DW CS4 to use <font> instead of <span style=“…”> ? Your question is kind of confusing.

Here’s an article that shows how to do it it just takes a few extra steps. It doesn’t look like DW is going to allow the font tag very easily anymore.

You CAN use embedded styles in HTML emails, tho. You can even use a style block. The trick with keeping style blocks intact when sending HTML emails is to put it inside the body tag - as many email clients strip out and replace the entire body tag. The only thing I’ve ever seen an issue with in regards to styles and emails is Outlook not allowing the background-image property. None of my clients have ever pointed out any other issues with embedded styles (I run an email marketing software app).

[jjimm]

@ZipperJJ

Are you asking how to get DW CS4 to use <font> instead of <span style="…"> ? Your question is kind of confusing.

You can use embedded styles in HTML emails. You can even use a style block. The trick with keeping style blocks intact when sending HTML emails is to put it inside the body tag - as many email clients strip out and replace the entire body tag.

Your first paragraph is correct. Sorry if I wasn’t clear.

I don’t want to have to train my staff to understand CSS, or work with embedded CSS - just want them to be able to mark up in simple HTML via CS4.

[Reply]

@jjimm

I have just bought my staff the latest DW CS4. Their primary role is to make HTML emails for marketing (not spam!) purposes.

Because these are cross-mail-client emails, they can’t use stylesheets and unless it’s completely unavoidable, I don’t use embedded STYLEs at all - just old-school HTML.

But as far as I can tell, there’s no way to change a font in CS4, without using CSS. The people working for me have very basic HTML skills and do NOT need to know about standards compliance. They need a simple, effective HTML WYSIWYG, which CS3 fulfilled.

Does anyone know how to set up DW4 to allow this? In the CS3 version it’s a simple change in Preferences, but that preference isn’t there in the new CS4. I’m tearing my hair out here because if I can’t do it, I’m going to have to teach them to hand-code.

Or you guys could consider using Mailchimp for a complete mailing list solution (from design to sending to subscription management to click tracking)… free up to 500 subscribers/3000 emails a month. If your staff isn’t tech-savvy, Mailchimp makes the whole process a buttload easier.

HTML in email is a mess (especially if you venture into graphics-based layouts) because of all the different mail readers out there. A lot of newsletters just include a “If this email doesn’t look right, click here to view it on the web” link.

ETA: Also, CS5 just came out. Is there a reason you chose CS4 instead of 5? Could you return it?