Right under "Font Style" in the message box there is a little graph looking icon. It is in between the globe and the mountain picture. Click on it. A box will come up and you will see it says-rows____ columns___put 1 in each of the boxes. Look to the left and click background. Pick your color and click-insert table. A small rectangle will appear in your message box, click on the edge of it and you will see several small squares appear. Place your cursor over one of the corners and stretch the box to your liking. This needs to be done before you add any text to the message. Its easier than it sounds!