How can I run subgroups of message filters, rather than all filters?
I have filters set up, some to run automatically on inbox when mail comes in. I have some set to run manually. The only choice I see is to click "run filters" and have all the manual filters run.
I want to make subgroups of manual filters. For instance, I want a group of filters for moving newsletters to email folders. Then I want another group of filters for deleting all library notice alerts to trash. I don't want both of these to run when I hit manual.
I don't see a way to do this short of going through the filters each time and turning on and off the run manually option. That's obviously not a workable solution.
I found an add-on to add a button to the menu area for running manually. That's it. I haven't found any other add-ons that would help with this.
Thanks!
Chosen solution
When you open the filter menu with all your filters for that account you don't have to check and uncheck boxes just highlight all filters you want to run at once manually. With the filters ordered into groups as well as given smart names its easier to choose a category. The "manually run" box inside each filter must of course be marked but the "Enable" box in filter menu doesn't need to be.
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I am not aware of anything that does as you wish.
Maybe someone will consider building an extension for it?
I'm was a programmer, but i wouldn't have any idea how to add some code to the current setup, so that filters can be tagged with a "group" they belong to. Then some code so you can name the group, turn the group on and off... and/or run a specific group. If it's not hard, I would consider writing one. Hoping someone else does...
Anyone with a clue on this one? I can't be the only person who wants this function :).
In the meantime you can highlight (more than one is possible) filters to run manually. (The not highlighted shouldn't run) You don't have to change the manual box inside a filter (did I understand you right?)
Gnospen said
In the meantime you can highlight (more than one is possible) filters to run manually. (The not highlighted shouldn't run) You don't have to change the manual box inside a filter (did I understand you right?)
Hi Gnospen - Thanks! do you mean once you open the filtersbox from the "Tools...Filters".... that on that page you can check and uncheck each filter?
Or do you know of something else I haven't spotted?
On doing that - it works the way you're thinking. Problem is that I want to create a bunch of filters, then create groups at a time. So for newsletters I want a filter for a few related newsletters, and to be able to run that, but also to run a whole group of newsletters filters at a time. Then I want another group for social or medical emails, and boards that I'm on. Turning them all on and off would be a lot of work.
I'm really surprised no one else is trying to do this. And there isn't an add-on somewhere.
You do have a point. If I turn on a whole bunch inside the filter, I can run nearly everything at once. But then keep check on and off outside the filter. Not as clean and individual as I wanted, but it's one way to look at it and survive.
Chosen Solution
When you open the filter menu with all your filters for that account you don't have to check and uncheck boxes just highlight all filters you want to run at once manually. With the filters ordered into groups as well as given smart names its easier to choose a category. The "manually run" box inside each filter must of course be marked but the "Enable" box in filter menu doesn't need to be.
Gnospen said
When you open the filter menu with all your filters for that account you don't have to check and uncheck boxes just highlight all filters you want to run at once manually. With the filters ordered into groups as well as given smart names its easier to choose a category. The "manually run" box inside each filter must of course be marked but the "Enable" box in filter menu doesn't need to be.
Gnospen - that works!!!!
Thank you! That will be good enough to solve my needs!!!!
I wouldn't have guessed. I don't see anything in the help describing that. It's be nice if it got added. (I'll have to follow up.) Now I'm wondering how you figured it out?
The selected (highlighted) filter runs. (I set up only one test filter. I'll have to try it with more.)
Modified by curls
curls said Gnospen - that works!!!! Thank you! That will be good enough to solve my needs!!!! I wouldn't have guessed. I don't see anything in the help describing that. It's be nice if it got added.
Please update the article. It is one of the things we struggle with, having enough people to update articles. As for using the Ctrl key to multiple select, in Thunderbird is is a question of when does it not work.
Modified by Matt
Matt said
Please update the article. It is one of the things we struggle with, having enough people to update articles. As for using the Ctrl key to multiple select, in Thunderbird is is a question of when does it not work.
Okay, sure. How do I update the article. Or how do I read a link that will tell me how, and where the article would be?
The article I am assuming is this one https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/organize-your-messages-using-filters
Instructions here https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/editing-article