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How to change name associated with searched email address

gladplodder
gladplodder

I have stored in my address book an email address relating to a role in an organisation. The person fulfilling that role has changed so I changed the display name for that email address. So, for example, "Bob <role@something.org>" is now "Fred <role@something.org>". All is well except when I search for emails relating to that address, as the search function autocompletes with the old display name in the search field; eg. searching for "<role@something.org>" autocompletes as "Bob <role@something.org>" and Fred does not appear, though the search results are as I would expect. Autocompletion of the field To: Cc: etc. is fine, it is just the search. This is not impossible to live with, just causes a double-take, so I prefer to fix it. Any ideas?

I have stored in my address book an email address relating to a role in an organisation. The person fulfilling that role has changed so I changed the display name for that email address. So, for example, "Bob <role@something.org>" is now "Fred <role@something.org>". All is well except when I search for emails relating to that address, as the search function autocompletes with the old display name in the search field; eg. searching for "<role@something.org>" autocompletes as "Bob <role@something.org>" and Fred does not appear, though the search results are as I would expect. Autocompletion of the field To: Cc: etc. is fine, it is just the search. This is not impossible to live with, just causes a double-take, so I prefer to fix it. Any ideas?

Chosen solution

Yes, they do. I have rebuilt the database as suggested and Thunderbird now functions as I would prefer: the search is living in the present. Of course, the older messages relating to Bob now appear to relate to Fred but that is history that I understand and can readily accept.

Thank you for your prompt and well-informed reply, sfhowes.

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All Replies (2)

sfhowes
sfhowes
  • Top 10 Contributor

Do messages previously from Bob now show Fred in the message headers? If they do, and you're using Global Search, it may help to rebuild the database:

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/rebuilding-global-database

gladplodder
gladplodder Question owner

Chosen Solution

Yes, they do. I have rebuilt the database as suggested and Thunderbird now functions as I would prefer: the search is living in the present. Of course, the older messages relating to Bob now appear to relate to Fred but that is history that I understand and can readily accept.

Thank you for your prompt and well-informed reply, sfhowes.