# I Can't Use the Smilies, Bold, Italics, etc. **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [September 10, 2008, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-use-the-smilies-bold-italics-etc/463022 "2008-09-10T23:38:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Jim\_B](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jim_b/32/4338_2.png) [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2008, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-use-the-smilies-bold-italics-etc/463022/1 "2008-09-10T23:38:47Z")
When I first logged on to these new boards, I found I can’t use the Smilies, Bold, Italics, or Underline functions unless I do it manually: _ **like this** _:). I tried to mention this on the “Got a SDMB problem? List it here.” thread. But I was unable to post there for some reason! Why do I have to do these functions manually? I am apparently still a charter member. Thanks to all who help:) ---
**Author:** ![Canadjun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/76d3ee/32.png) [@Canadjun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Canadjun)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2008, 11:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-use-the-smilies-bold-italics-etc/463022/2 "2008-09-11T11:47:23Z")
I can’t help you with your problem :(, but I thought I’d chime in to say that I had the same problem a few days ago and it seemed to go away on its own. Doesn’t seem to be affected by refreshing the page, restarting Firefox, playing with my Javascript settings, or rebooting. I had the problem and then later I didn’t have the problem. Weird. Out of curiosity, are you using Firefox? \*Playing \*a \*\*little \*\* bit to make sure the buttons are working for me today. The font colour one is the only one that I can’t seem to make work today. 😕 ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2008, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-use-the-smilies-bold-italics-etc/463022/3 "2008-09-11T13:08:18Z")
It always helps to include your browser and Operating system. Internet Applications behave differently from browser to browser and sometimes between Operating Systems. Example I am using IE7 on Win XP sp2. The buttons except for the font colors is working for most posters. I believe Jerry needs to reload this table eventually. You can try a keyboard shortcut the Bold, Underline and Italics. Ctrl B = Bold Ctrl U = Underline Ctrl I = Italics For the smilies are you use the right side panel or the pull down smilies menu next to the font color pull down? ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2008, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-use-the-smilies-bold-italics-etc/463022/4 "2008-09-11T13:35:04Z")
> [@Jim\_B](#): > > Why do I have to do these functions manually? I am apparently still a charter member. I’m not sure why, either, although I agree with **What Exit?** that system and browser info woul be helpful. I **am** _randomly_ changing the display [RIGHT]of[/RIGHT] [ol] [li]this[/li][/ol] [ul] [li]post[/li][/ul] by highlighting words and clicking icons at the top of the reply window. I’m pretty sure they are going to work. I’ll even click on (ugh) a couple of smileys. :)😕:eek::mad::rolleyes:🆒 (On preview they worked for me.) Win 2K, IE 6 (OK, I’m behind the times.) ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2008, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-use-the-smilies-bold-italics-etc/463022/5 "2008-09-11T13:38:48Z")
They don’t work behind some firewalls or company browsers. If I want to use smileys at work I have to manually type them out. ---
**Author:** ![Jim\_B](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jim_b/32/4338_2.png) [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2008, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-use-the-smilies-bold-italics-etc/463022/6 "2008-09-12T03:02:31Z")
> [@Canadjun](#): > > Out of curiosity, are you using Firefox? No, I do not use Firefox. [QUOTE=What Exit] For the smilies are you use the right side panel or the pull down smilies menu next to the font color pull down? [/QUOTE] I use the right side panel. ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2008, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-use-the-smilies-bold-italics-etc/463022/7 "2008-09-12T03:33:32Z")
> [@Jim\_B](#): > > No, I do not use Firefox. So what **are** you using for an O/S and browser? ---
**Author:** ![Jim\_B](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jim_b/32/4338_2.png) [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2008, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-use-the-smilies-bold-italics-etc/463022/8 "2008-09-12T03:40:01Z")
> [@Duckster](#): > > So what **are** you using for an O/S and browser? I don’t generally tell people. But if you insist, I use Internet Explorer and Windows XP. ---
**Author:** ![Savannah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b3f665/32.png) [@Savannah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Savannah)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2008, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-use-the-smilies-bold-italics-etc/463022/9 "2008-09-12T04:21:20Z")
Try going into your options, and unchecking the advanced edit box and saving. Then go in again and check it. That worked for me when I had the same problem.