animated GIFs

[dasadler]

How can I embed an animated GIF into my Outlook 2007 email such that the recipient will see the animation? I know I can attach the GIF and it works fine when the recipient opens that file however, I want the recipient to see the animation upon opening the email.

I have attached the GIF

[Rudi]

Hi Don,

You would embed the image into your email as you'd do any other image, but unfortunately Outlook cannot display the animation on its own. The recipient will need to view the email in a browser for it to reveal the animation. Alternatively, if recipient views the email in Outlook, they can view the animated GIF image only if they choose Message > Actions > View in Browser. (Note: I'm not sure of the corresponding menu command for this in Outlook 2007).

Bottom line, you cannot control this option. It is up to the recipient to open the email in a browser.

[HansV]

Rudi is correct. Microsoft has chosen not to display animations directly in e-mail messages.

[dasadler]

Okay, thanks.. that is too bad.

However, I recall being able to insert animated fonts some years ago and they would display in my email draft as well as the recipients email. This was using Outlook 2003. Full disclosure... I am not confident I remember this 100% correctly.

We we ever able to effectively use animated fonts?

[HansV]

You are correct, Outlook 2003 and before used the Internet Explorer engine to display HTML messages; this supports animation.
In Outlook 2007, Microsoft switched to the Word engine to display HTML. This does not support animation...

[John Gray]

I'm with Microsoft here - I find animated GIFs in emails really quite annoying.
It is interesting that googling this subject brings up the words 'marketing' and 'campaign' - these I also find quite annoying!

[dasadler]

Ah... okay. Thank you all very much.