How to Send Email in HTML Format Using Microsoft Enterprise Library

Learn how to send emails in `HTML format` using Microsoft Enterprise Library with this step-by-step guide. Transform your plain text emails into visually appealing HTML messages effortlessly!
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Sending Emails in HTML Format with Microsoft Enterprise Library

If you're working with Microsoft Enterprise Library and have previously sent emails using a text formatter, you may have found that these emails always arrive in plain text. If you're looking to enhance your email communications by sending them in HTML format, you’re in the right place!

In this guide, we will walk through how to modify the existing classes in the Microsoft Enterprise Library to enable sending HTML formatted emails. Let's dive in!

Understanding the Core Issue

Microsoft Enterprise Library 2.0 does not directly support sending emails in HTML format out of the box when using the text formatter. To achieve this, we need to make some modifications to the existing codebase by creating new classes that utilize HTML capabilities.

Step-By-Step Solution

Here’s how to enable HTML formatted emails in Microsoft Enterprise Library:

Step 1: Copy Required Classes

First, you will need to copy some existing classes from the Microsoft Enterprise Library to your own library project. The classes required are:

Step 2: Modify Your New Email Classes

In the newly created EmailMessageHTML.cs, modify the constructors to match the new class name. Additionally, you need to change the CreateMailMessage() method to ensure that the email is sent in HTML format.

Here’s the crucial code snippet you should add to the CreateMailMessage() method:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Step 3: Integrate the New Classes

Next, update the EmailHTMLTraceListener class. Wherever EmailMessage is mentioned, replace it with EmailMessageHTML. Similarly, ensure the EmailHTMLTraceListenerData references the new listener.

Step 4: Compile and Configure

Once you’ve made the necessary changes, compile your new library project. After successful compilation, update your loggingConfiguration in the configuration file as follows:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Step 5: Add Logging Categories

You will also need to add a valid category for logging:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Final Touches

To complete the setup, ensure you have a valid HTML document that you can log with the Enterprise Library. After all these adjustments, you should now receive nicely formatted HTML emails for your designated log activities, such as booking notifications.

Conclusion

Turning plain text emails into dynamic HTML emails using the Microsoft Enterprise Library can significantly enhance your communication. By following the steps outlined above, you can effectively implement this feature. Now, every out-of-balance booking notification will land in your inbox beautifully formatted!

Feel free to explore and customize your HTML emails to fit your needs!