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Search does not return matches in strings in body of message

  • 5 replies
  • 2 have this problem
  • 20 views
  • Last reply by Matt

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I tried searching for a 4 digit numeric in body of all messages. Thunderbird returned only hits where this 4 digit number was not part of a longer string of text. Is there no way in Thunderbird to have the search also return results for messages that have this 4 digit numeric anywhere in the body of a message including in part of a longer numeric string?

I tried searching for a 4 digit numeric in body of all messages. Thunderbird returned only hits where this 4 digit number was not part of a longer string of text. Is there no way in Thunderbird to have the search also return results for messages that have this 4 digit numeric anywhere in the body of a message including in part of a longer numeric string?

Chosen solution

search is excellent for most things, and the things it does not do are not well documented. If at all. I recall seeing something weird on numbers once, but I really do not recall what it was specifically.

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Searched how? There are three.

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I used the search box in the upper right corner of the Thunderbird window. Also tried the filter message box in the same area of the screen just below the search box. No difference. Where is the third search box?

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Search Ctrl+K Quick filter Ctrl+Shift+K Find Ctrl+Shift+F

I think Ctrl+Shift+F will work for numbers better than the others.

Search does not index "quoted text" from previous emails. Was what you were looking for in that type of location.

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I was looking for a series of digits in a longer string of digits. I have been using Thunderbird for years and never knew that CTL+SHFT+F existed! Once I did a CTL+SHFT+F it found the email message I was looking for but which CTL+K or CTL+SHFT+K did not find.

In the past I have always used Search which I have found limiting at times.

Thanks for the tip.

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Chosen Solution

search is excellent for most things, and the things it does not do are not well documented. If at all. I recall seeing something weird on numbers once, but I really do not recall what it was specifically.