Email Messages: Sorting and Viewing The Message List

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Mozilla Thunderbird allows users to view and sort the message list a number of ways.

  1. Sorting messages using specific properties
  2. Viewing messages defined by specific properties
  3. Viewing messages as threads
  4. Viewing threads defined by specific properties
  5. Deleting messages
  6. Marking and labeling messages

1. Sorting messages using specific properties

To sort messages using different properties, go to "View > Sort by > ..." and select the desired option.

Users may also sort messages by clicking on the appropriate heading in the message list pane.

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2. Viewing messages defined by specific properties

To view messages defined by specific properties, go to "View > Messages > ..." and select the desired option.

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3. Viewing messages as threads

To view messages as threads, go to View > Messages > Threaded.

Users may also view messages as threads by clicking on the conversation bubble icon in the message list pane.

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4. Viewing threads defined by specific properties

To view email threads defined by specific properties, go to "View > Threads > ..." and select the desired option.

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5. Deleting messages

Mozilla Thunderbird features many message deletion options. Deleted messages can be sent to the trash folder, marked as deleted or removed immediately.

To set your deletion options:

  1. In the menu, select Tools > Account Settings.
  2. Click on "Server Settings" in the account you want to edit.
  3. Beside the "When I delete a message" option, select one of the choices in the drop down menu.
  4. Click "Ok" to save your settings.

To automatically empty the trash folder when exiting Thunderbird:

  1. In the menu, select Tools > Account Settings.
  2. Click on "Server Settings" in the account you want to edit.
  3. Checkmark the "Empty trash on exit" option.
  4. Click "Ok" to save your settings.

To compact the message pane and remove messages marked as deleted, select File > Compact Folders.

To automatically compact the message pane when exiting Thunderbird:

  1. In the menu, select Tools > Account Settings.
  2. Click on "Server Settings" in the account you want to edit.
  3. Checkmark the "Clean up ("Expunge") Inbox on Exit" option.
  4. Click "Ok" to save your settings.

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6. Marking and labeling messages

Mozilla Thunderbird allows users to flag, mark, and label messages.

Flagging messages makes finding them again less of a hassle.

Marking messages as junk increases the efficiency of the junk mail filter while marking messages as read helps in sorting the message list.

To flag or mark a message as junk/read:

  1. In the main window, click on the message you want to mark.
  2. In the menu, select "Message > Mark ..." and select the desired option.

Labeling messages by their priority reminds users of the amount of attention certain messages require.

To label a message by its priority, select "Message > Label > ..." and select the desired option.

To change the colour of priority labels:

  1. In the menu, select Tools > Options.
  2. In the left hand menu, select the "Display" icon.
  3. Under the "Labels" header, click on the colour boxes beside the labels you want to edit and select the desired colour(s).

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