If you are composing email in plain text there is no need for a Format toolbar so it does not display.

If you are composing in HTML then the format toolbar, like all other toolbars is turned on in the View menu.

What instructions tell you to look under Options?

You are right, guess I was just used to Windows Mail where the format bar always shows. The site I was looking at is " http://write.flossmanuals.net/thunderbird/composing-messages/" Thanks.

The default outgoing message format in Thunderbird is HTML. It can be changed by going to the Option menu, pointing to Format, and picking from one of the four displayed options.

Under Options you specify HTML or Plain Text as your default.

The very next section states:

The format bar is visible when you use the HTML format.

This is my third try. This program ate my two previous attempts. So I composed this elsewhere and copied and pasted.

It appears that I am composing in original HTML. I don't see anything about Format anywhere on my screen. It is not listed under View. I haven't found it in Options. Give me a clue: which page? Where do I need to look to find it it?

Alternatively, how can I reinstall the previous version which made this simple?

Who thinks this Easter Egg hunt is an improvement?

I had the same problem, see above question, and the answer I got solved my question. If you click on TOOLS, then OPTIONS, In options go to DISPLAY, and in that window you will see Formatting, Tags, and Advanced. Also if you go to COMPOSITION, General, then Send Options, and there you can play with your formatting. (I think)

cbrookej said

It appears that I am composing in original HTML.

Either you are or your are not.

I don't see anything about Format anywhere on my screen. It is not listed under View. I haven't found it in Options. Give me a clue: which page? Where do I need to look to find it it?

Account Settings-Composition and Addressing The very first option. You have to set this for each email account if you have more than one.

Alternatively, how can I reinstall the previous version which made this simple?

Install any version you like. This option is in the same place on each of them.

Who thinks this Easter Egg hunt is an improvement?

No idea what you are talking about.

Holding the SHIFT key toggles the composition format. If you are set to use Plain Text by default, if you hold the SHIFT key while clicking WRITE it will open with HTML formal and you should have a format toolbar. Set the default in Account Settings for what you use most often.