Really Simple Problem - HTML + Variables

[LaLindsey]

Hi, I'm writing a really simple "tell a friend" script for a client. I'm having the stupidest problem, and I know the answer is something simple, but I've tried searching with not results that help, and I'm not at home so I don't have access to any of my books.

Basically, the script allows a person to enter their name and email, and their friend's name and email. Than it sends a customized message to the friend, from the person's email address.

Now, I want to format the message, using tables to put in my client's email template, with a header image, side col, etc. But when I insert the HTML into the email's body variable it doesn't process. It just prints the straight HTML. I know I've read about how to do this, but I can't remember how, or what to even search for.

Here's my basic code without the validation stuff.

<?php

$name = $_POST['name'];
$email = $_POST['email'];
$friend = $_POST['friend'];
$friendemail=$_POST['friendemail'];
$message = $_POST['message'];
$url = $_POST['url'];

$body = "Hello $friend ($friendemail),

	Your friend $name ($email) wants to share the following with you:

	$message

	Hope to see you around!
	OUR SITE NAME ($url) Team";

$subject = "From $name -- Thought you would like this!";	

$headers .= "To: $friend <$friendemail>" . "\r\n";
$headers .= "From: $name <$email>" . "\r\n";	

mail($friendemail, $subject, $body, $headers);		

?>

Basically, I want to wrap everything in $body in HTML formatting.

Thanks in advance,
Lindsey

[cmircea]

Hello, here is how I do it.

I create a template file, which will be the body.

Here's how I do it.

ob_start();
include_once('templates/mail_body.php' );
$body = ob_get_contents();
ob_end_clean();

Works like a charm.