Gmail - HTML Signatures
Current version - 2.1.1
Version updated - 3/27/2008
Download here
This script allows you to use an HTML signature with Gmail. It includes the following features:
- Supports multiple signatures
- Supports automatic insertion of a default signature that you can change at any time
- Allows you to add, edit, preview and delete any signature without changing the script’s code
To use this script you must be using Firefox with the Greasemonkey extension. Once you’ve got those installed, visit the script’s page at Userscripts.org to install the script. Then, visit Gmail to see the new HTML Signatures box above the chat window in Gmail. Please note, you must be using the new version of Gmail for this to work.
I’m very open to feedback and help requests. Please don’t hesitate to contact me at mjb at biglaughs dot org. Also suggestions for improvements and/or new ideas are ALWAYS welcome.
Future improvements will include:
- Insert random signature
- Bulk backup/restore
Tool tips on del/edit buttonsdone- Tool tip on signature button with signature content
- Replace del/edit buttons with >> that unhides a div with the del/edit buttons in them
- Work for replies/forwards
Automatically sets a default (or fix the “undefined” problem)done- Allow editing of signature name
Clicking a different signature will automatically erase the one theredone- Automatic update notification
Step-by-step Instructions
Step 1 - Verify Installation
Step 2 - Adding a signature
Step 3 - Choosing a default signature
Step 4 - Inserting your signature
Step 5 - Deleting signatures
Cautions
Step 1 - Verify installation
Once you’ve made Firefox, Greasemonkey and the script are installed on your computer, go to your Gmail account. You should see a box underneath your folders that looks like the bottom of this:
If that’s what you see, move on to…
Step 2 - Adding a signature
Click the “new signature” link to bring up the signature editing window
In the input field labeled “Name”, type a name for the signature. It can be as long or short as you like. However, be aware that longer names will be wrapped inside the “HTML Signatures” box.
Once you’ve typed the name, type the code for your HTML signature into the box that says “Type your HTML signature here…”. You can use any HTML code, including CSS styles. You can even copy and paste an entire webpage, including HTML and BODY tags. You could even use JavaScript.
Once you’ve got your signature typed, you can click the Preview button to see what your signature looks like.
Once you’re done with the preview, click “Hide Preview”. When you’ve gotten your signature just right, click “Save” and your signature will show up in the box on the left.
If you click “edit”, the signature edit window will pop back up again. Please note that, as of this current release, you cannot change the signature name. You can however, copy the HTML from an existing signature and add it to a new signature with a different name. A future release will probably allow for name editing.
Step 3 - Choosing a default signature
Once you’ve added your signatures, you must choose a default. If you don’t, the script will insert “undefined” as your signature. I know, I’m working on it. This has been fixed. You no longer need a default.
To do this, click the “set default” link. A dialog will pop up with numbers next to your signatures. Type the number next to the signature you want to be your default into the dialog and click enter.
The name of this signature will become boldfaced and you’ll know it’s been defaulted.
Step 4 - Inserting your signature
To insert your signature, simply hit the “Compose” link (remember this script only works on new emails…for now). Your default signature (or “undefined” if you forgot to choose one) will be inserted into the bottom of your email. To choose a different signature, erase the one there already (a future release will simply replace the existing one) and click the name of the signature you want to insert. It will be inserted into your email.
Step 5 - Deleting signatures
This is pretty easy. Just click “del” next to the signature you want to delete and it will disappear. Once you’ve deleted them all, the “HTML Signatures” box will look like it did at the beginning of Step 1.
Cautions!!
Do not erase your cookies! Your signatures are stored in cookies on your computer. Erasing them will erase your signatures and you will have to retype them all…by hand. Hopefully, a future version will allow for bulk exporting and importing of signatures.
