New Technologies in Web Development: April 2009

MailTo Syntax

PLEASE NOTE:

It is recommended that you use a process other than MailTo handle the e-mail process from your web site.
If you do use MailTo, please encode the included e-mail address(s) to reduce the spam for that address.
One routine to assist encoding and e-mail address is available at: http://www.ianr.unl.edu/email/encode/

The MailTo command can do more than enter a single e-mail address in the "Send To" field while activating your e-mail program. It can also:

Feature		Syntax
Address message to multiple recipients		, (comma separating e-mail addresses)
Add entry in the "Subject" field		subject=Subject Field Text
Add entry in the "Copy To" or "CC" field		cc=id@internet.node
Add entry in the "Blind Copy To" or "BCC" field		bcc=id@internet.node
Add entry in the "Body" field		body=Your message here Within the body use "%0A" for a new line, use "%0A%0A" for a new line preceded by a blank line (paragraph), see example below.

Notes:

" " (beginning and ending double quotes) are necessary if any spaces are used

Mailto parameter should be preceded by "?" for the first or only parameter and "&" for second and subsequent parameter.

Some examples, with actual HTML Code included, follow:

Simple MailTo

MailTo with Multiple Recipients

MailTo with Subject

MailTo with a Copy

MailTo with a Blind Copy

MailTo with message already started in Body

MailTo with multiline message in Body

<a href="mailto:astark1@unl.edu?body=The message's first paragraph.%0A%0aSecond paragraph.%0A%0AThird Paragraph.">
NOTE: Use "%0A" for a new line, use "%0A%0A" for a new line preceded by a blank line.

Features may be used in combination

MailTo with Subject, a Recipient, a Copy and a Blind Copy
<a href="mailto:astark1@unl.edu?subject=MailTo Comments&cc=ASTARK1@UNL.EDU&bcc=id@internet.node">

Remember to use only one ? (question mark), when providing multiple entries beyond e-mail address