Got a 'How do I' question? Join 'Ask a Trainer' Monday to Friday, 11am to 4pm ET for instant help and pro tips!

Lines on test email?

SOLVED
Go to solution
LauraP25363
Rookie
0 Votes

Hello,


I am working on an email to be sent on Sunday and notice lines in the test email that don't appear in my editor. I've attached a screenshot of these lines, and there are more further down the email. If it helps I am using Outlook 2016.

 

Thank you

 

lines.PNG

1 ACCEPTED SOLUTION
William_A
Administrator
0 Votes

Hello @LauraP25363 ,

 

We're sorry to see you've run into this issue. This is a widespread bug with Microsoft Outlook that affects all ESP emails, not just Constant Contact. There are currently no legitimate workarounds for this issue, however, it only seems to affect Outlook. Microsoft is aware of the issue and we're closely watching for fixes that are made available. If any are made available, we will take advantage of them. The primary issue is that the lines are random, the next test or live send, they could end up in different positions or disappear entirely.

That said, there are a couple potential workarounds you could try:

  • Change the color of your inner background to match the outer background This way if the lines appear they'll still be the exact same color, and won't be seen.
  • Drag a block like a divider next to the affected block to create a column layout. Add all the affected blocks to one column. Delete the block/divider in the other column, so that the content is back to one column. We've seen this workaround have some success, but nothing is guaranteed due to the sporadic nature of the glitch.

I've still gone ahead and tracked your case for our engineers, but again this is something we and other ESPs are having to rely on Microsoft to figure out, as it is only affecting Outlook 2016 and 2018.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
William A
Community & Social Media Support

View solution in original post

7 REPLIES 7
William_A
Administrator
0 Votes

Hello @LauraP25363 ,

 

We're sorry to see you've run into this issue. This is a widespread bug with Microsoft Outlook that affects all ESP emails, not just Constant Contact. There are currently no legitimate workarounds for this issue, however, it only seems to affect Outlook. Microsoft is aware of the issue and we're closely watching for fixes that are made available. If any are made available, we will take advantage of them. The primary issue is that the lines are random, the next test or live send, they could end up in different positions or disappear entirely.

That said, there are a couple potential workarounds you could try:

  • Change the color of your inner background to match the outer background This way if the lines appear they'll still be the exact same color, and won't be seen.
  • Drag a block like a divider next to the affected block to create a column layout. Add all the affected blocks to one column. Delete the block/divider in the other column, so that the content is back to one column. We've seen this workaround have some success, but nothing is guaranteed due to the sporadic nature of the glitch.

I've still gone ahead and tracked your case for our engineers, but again this is something we and other ESPs are having to rely on Microsoft to figure out, as it is only affecting Outlook 2016 and 2018.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
William A
Community & Social Media Support
LauraP25363
Rookie
0 Votes

Thank you very much!

SLafary747
Rookie

It seems like this has been a bug for over a year? any end in sight on when it will be fixed?

PowerInnAlliance
Campaign Collaborator
0 Votes

Hi! We've been having the same issue, but I think I just figured it out.

 

Under 'Design' go to 'Buttons & Dividers' and change the color to white. Save and sent a test email to yourself - I did this and, NO LINES!! #Yaayyy I hope it works for you!!

OADN
Rookie

You guys really need to try harder to fix this issue instead of posting the same boilerplate language for 4 years... Here is the number to Microsoft: (800) 642 7676

AnneC27
Rookie

Still happening, can't get rid of it.

VTLabor802
Rookie
0 Votes

Just happened to me as well. Can't seem to get rid of them.

 

  • Avatar

    Featured Article

    Use Sections to Build Email Campaigns Faster and Improve Engagement Rates

    Using Sections while designing your marketing email not only increases your own efficiency but helps you to deliver a more friendly, organized message. Check out some of the key benefits of using sections in email.

    See Article
  • Avatar

    Featured Thread

    Casual Conversations: What's your go-to playlist?

    If you listen to music while you work, share your playlist below so we can be inspired and maybe find some new music!

    View thread
  • Avatar

    Featured Thread

    Ready, Set, Send Reflections

    The Ready, Set, Send Challenge has finished! Let's reflect on the wins and accomplishments over the last six weeks.

    Join challenge
Updates
Just Getting Started?

We’re here to help you grow. With how-to tutorials, courses, getting-started guides, videos and step-by-step instructions to start and succeed with Constant Contact.

Start Here

73% of SMBs express doubt that their marketing strategy is effective. Does this sound familiar? Read our Small Business Now Report to learn how you can tweak your strategy to see better results.

Go read our article
Upcoming Webinars
DEC 12
Ask Us Anything: Your Digital Marketing Questions Answered
2PM - 3PM EST