1) The spell checker from Word 2000 should work with Outlook Express.
The one from Works 8 is not compatible with OE.

See the following for fixing that:
How To: Fix spell checking in Outlook Express 6
http://www.tech-pro.co.uk/howto_010.html
Spell check not working in XP Outlook Express
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/spellcheck.htm

Spell Checker or Custom Dictionary Errors
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=178238

Spelling Checker Does Not Run on Message in Outlook Express 5 & 6
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=224176

Spelling and Grammar Options Not Available in Outlook Express 5
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=232950

2) The Fonts, etc. are available if the message is in HTML format. You
have apparently set that as the default for messages, but also set to
reply to messages using the same format in which they were sent (Tools,
Options, Send). In that case, if the original message is in plain text,
then your reply will be as well. Uncheck that option if you want your
replies to HTML format even though the original sender used plain text.

--

Mike - http://pages.prodigy.net/michael_santovec/techhelp.htm


"catibj" wrote in message
...
I have this same grayed out problem with spell check on either a new or
a
reply to an existing message. The fonts, style are grayed out when
when i
REPLY to a message, but style and font are NOT grayed out on a new
message.
I have both Microsoft Word 2000 (from Microsoft 2000 Office Pack) and
Microsoft Works 8.0 installed. How do I make these apply to IE
Explorer 6.0.
I am running xp sp2. thanks for any help on making either of these
programs
work or apply in Outlook Express
6.00.2900.2180(xpsp_sp2_rtm.040803-2158 ,
Bobby

"Frank Saunders, MS-MVP OE" wrote:

"robj250" wrote in message

When I create mail and want to check for spelling, the Spelling is
grayed out, so I cannot check the spelling in my email before
sending
it.

OE does not come with a spelling checker. It uses the spelling
checker from
any Office program that has one. Do you have such a program?

If not you could try one of these:

Free spellchecker.
which I use on my laptop, which has Works.
http://www.majorgeeks.com/article.php?sid=2952&cat=10A

$15 shareware
http://www.spellchecker.com/

And here's a freeware that checks your spelling as you type:
TinySpell
http://www.megspace.com/computers/tinyspell/

See also:
Bill James' SpellCheck Fix
http://www.billsway.com/notes_public...SpellCheck.txt

--
Frank Saunders, MS-MVP OE
Please respond in Newsgroup only. Do not send email
http://www.fjsmjs.com
Outfitting a new computer for the Net
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/secu...wcomputer.mspx
http://defendingyourmachine.blogspot.com/