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how to do multi-column sort in Thunderbird

  • 3 replies
  • 2 have this problem
  • 12 views
  • Last reply by dr4ke4i

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In Thunderbird, I'd like to be able to sort by Correspondent and Date. I have long lists within Correspondent and want to delete most of the oldest for that Correspondent, but the Dates are seemingly scattered randomly. I've tried sorting by Date and then by Correspondent, but that doesn't maintain the Date ordering - that works in some apps. I'm new to Thunderbird and liking it very much so far.

In Thunderbird, I'd like to be able to sort by Correspondent and Date. I have long lists within Correspondent and want to delete most of the oldest for that Correspondent, but the Dates are seemingly scattered randomly. I've tried sorting by Date and then by Correspondent, but that doesn't maintain the Date ordering - that works in some apps. I'm new to Thunderbird and liking it very much so far.

All Replies (3)

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You can't sort on multiple columns, but in this case you could enter a name in the Quick Filter Bar (Ctrl+Shift+K), click the Sender button, if the selected folder is the Inbox, to show messages from that sender, then click the Date column button to sort by date.

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A better method is to select View/Sort by/From & Ascending or Descending & Grouped by Sort. That shows the Threads Pane divided into sets of messages from each sender, arranged in chronological order in each sender set.

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That's strange... I just clicked on 'Date' header in message list, it sorted all messages by date. And then clicked on 'Correspondents'. Now my messages are sorted by correspondents, but within one correspondent all messages are sorted by date (I wanted newer on top, unlike by default order is older are on top). I can even group messages or restart Thunderbird, and this sorting order is maintained just how I set it.