Composing a Message

Figure 10.9. The Message-Compose Window

The Message-Compose Window

Tool-Bar. This is where the main message composing actions buttons lie. See Table 10.2

Attachment List. Where all the message's attached files' names are shown. Empty if the message has no attachments.

Message Body. Where the message's text content is entered. Just above this area you can see the usual word processor buttons to format text (font family, size and weight, paragraph alignment).

Message Recipients. The list of all recipients of this message. The main options in the pull-down list at the left are:

Sending Account. The identity from which this message is sent. If you have more than one account defined, select the corresponding one using this pull-down list.

The following table shows the most used buttons available in the message-compose window, their equivalent keyboard shortcuts and a brief explanation of the functions they provide.

Table 10.2. Message Compose Window's Toolbar Buttons

ButtonKeyboard ShortcutFunction
Ctrl-Enter

Send the message immediately (your network connection must be active); by default, a copy of the message will be kept in the Sent folder. Pressing Ctrl-Shift-Enter will queue the message in order to send it later. The message will be saved in the Unsent Messages folder under the Local Folders tree, and will be sent the next time you request mail to be sent.

 

Insert the recipients' addresses from the address book. Clicking this button will open a window where you can add recipients from Mozilla's address book. Keep in mind that if you start to type a recipient's name, the address book will be checked for that name and if a match is found, the name or address of that person can be inserted automatically just by pressing the Enter key.

 

Attach a file to the mail message. This function is also accessible by choosing File->Attach File... from the menu. A standard file dialog will pop up. Select the file you want to attach and click on Open. Repeat for multiple files.

Ctrl-S

Saves the message as a draft. This function is also accessible by choosing File->Save from the menu. The message is stored in the Drafts folder.

Enter the recipients of the message, fill the Subject field and click on the message body area to start typing the message.