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hitting tab opens another address line instead of moving to subject field

  • 4 replies
  • 2 have this problem
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  • Last reply by Toad-Hall

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With the latest update of Thunderbird, I cannot tab directly from the address field to the subject field. Hitting tab opens another address line which has to be deleted, then tabbing will move to the subject field. I hope someone fixes this quickly.

With the latest update of Thunderbird, I cannot tab directly from the address field to the subject field. Hitting tab opens another address line which has to be deleted, then tabbing will move to the subject field. I hope someone fixes this quickly.

Chosen solution

In my version 31.2.0 It depends upon how many TO fields are auto inserted.

So if I have 3 set as default, but have only used one email address, tabbing will move through the remaining (two) TO and TO input fields and then go to Subject.

The remaining TO fields may not necessarily be visible if the content separating divider has been raised to offer more typing space. So it could appear as if creating a new TO field (which is normally done when pressing Enter/Return key), but it is actually only moving to already available TO fields.

To check this: open a new Write message. Lower the dividing bar to reveal more header space, so that all the TO fields appear and also some extra blank lines. How many TO fields auto appear?

Put cursor in top TO and use Tab to move. the Tab move should go from TO field to the TO choice drop down and then to next TO field. When the last TO field has been used, tabbing should go to Subject, it should not go to a blank TO field and create a new TO field.

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Chosen Solution

In my version 31.2.0 It depends upon how many TO fields are auto inserted.

So if I have 3 set as default, but have only used one email address, tabbing will move through the remaining (two) TO and TO input fields and then go to Subject.

The remaining TO fields may not necessarily be visible if the content separating divider has been raised to offer more typing space. So it could appear as if creating a new TO field (which is normally done when pressing Enter/Return key), but it is actually only moving to already available TO fields.

To check this: open a new Write message. Lower the dividing bar to reveal more header space, so that all the TO fields appear and also some extra blank lines. How many TO fields auto appear?

Put cursor in top TO and use Tab to move. the Tab move should go from TO field to the TO choice drop down and then to next TO field. When the last TO field has been used, tabbing should go to Subject, it should not go to a blank TO field and create a new TO field.

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Thanks for the reply, but I'm still having issues. I don't want to work full screen and don't want to have to pull the divider bar down each time just to get the cursor to tab from the last address line used to the subject field.

I've gone in into the configuration editor and attempted to to solve the problem using mail.compose.addresswidget.numberofrowsshowndefault but even reducing it to 1 doesn't remove the extra blank lines.

I've also restarted TB with add-ins disable to be sure there were no issues there. Didn't help.

The present situation is workable but it is a constant irritation that needs to be fixed. Any help will be much appreciated!

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I'm having the same problems as above. There seems to be an unlimited amount of 'To' lines. I used to be able to hit TAB and could go directly to the SUBJECT line and hit ENTER to make the cursor go to another 'To' line. Now both the TAB AND ENTER just bring up another 'To' line! I have Thunderbird 31.4.0

Before my update everything worked fine.

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When you open a new Write message the focus - cursor - should be in the first TO text field ready for you to enter an email address. Senario: If you have three TO fields auto available when you initialy open a new Write message:

Test 1; Testing how TAB key moves through the various fields, allowing selection and movement without using a mouse and not pressing Enter at any time. Without entering anything in any field. Press 'TAB' key, - focus should go to the next/second TO drop down field. Press 'TAB' again and it should go to the adjacent TO field where you could enter an email, (but do not enter anything). Press 'TAB' key and it should go to third drop down TO field; Press 'TAB and it should go to the third and last shown (if you had 3 TO visible) adajacent TO input text field.

Press TAB and it should go to the 'Subject field. Press TAB and it should go to the Content area.


So when you initially open a new Write message, tell me how many TO fields do you see without touching anything? Please provide an image to show this.

Then perform the test as written above - only use the TAB key. Do not use mouse. Do not press Enter. Do not enter any text. It should move through each visible field.

Please report back on test results.