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Emails not showing up in search

  • 6 replies
  • 3 have this problem
  • 171 views
  • Last reply by Dainoz

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When I search for emails using the quick search function, Thunderbird identifies that there are emails that match but doesn't show them up in the search list. For example, in the image attached I've searched for emails from Belinda. Thunderbird finds 40 of them, but nothing shows in the list. Can anyone help? Thanks.

When I search for emails using the quick search function, Thunderbird identifies that there are emails that match but doesn't show them up in the search list. For example, in the image attached I've searched for emails from Belinda. Thunderbird finds 40 of them, but nothing shows in the list. Can anyone help? Thanks.

Chosen solution

I've just figured it out!

I have folders for each different business that I deal with on the server, so the search was identifying that there were messages there but wouldn't show them unless I was specifically in that folder.

Crisis averted ;)

Thanks Toad.

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All Replies (6)

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Sorry. File didn't attach. Here it is!

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Can you please test to see if you get the same result in Thunderbird Safe Mode.

In Thunderbird Help > Restart with addons disabled.

when restarted try the Quick filter again using the same search. Belinda and options Sender and Recipients.

Please report back on results.

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Hi Toad-Hall.

Thanks for your reply. Unfortunately, no luck with addons disabled.

I have found, though, that it's only an issue with a couple of people. i.e. the search function works correctly with most others. Could there have been something that I clicked on that has changed a setting for these people? e.g. a hide messages function or similar?

Thanks again.

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re: Belinda I believe this is what may be occurring.

If her email address did not have the name Belinda in it eg: bsmith at somewhere dot com

but in the address book you put the name 'Belinda' in the 'Display' option and selected to 'always prefer display name over message header'. In the list of received emails you would see 'Belinda' in the 'From' column. Then, when you do a Quick Filter search for 'Belinda' on filters 'Sender' and 'Recipient', you will not get a result unless her name was mentioned in the body of the email and you had selected the quick filter option 'Body'. So it is filtering on the email address not the display name.

If you want to do a search which would pick up the 'Display' name, you need to use the global search located above the Quick filter in the Mail Toolbar. Enter 'Belinda' and select the drop down option which should show the name 'Belinda' and the email address for you to select.

So, if I'm correct, all of those names you try to use Quick filter on Sender and Recipient and get no result, they probably do not have their actual name in the email address itself.

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Thanks again Toad.

I deleted the couple of people I was having an issue with from the address book and tried again, with no luck. It's happily searching other people whether their name is in the email or no.

It appears to be something to do with a few people from the same company. Perhaps I've accidentally changed a setting somewhere to do with their @company.com?

Thanks.

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Chosen Solution

I've just figured it out!

I have folders for each different business that I deal with on the server, so the search was identifying that there were messages there but wouldn't show them unless I was specifically in that folder.

Crisis averted ;)

Thanks Toad.