My search indicates name and email are all that is searchable. Obviously you see something different. So perhaps you could explain what search tool.

I am running Thunderbird v 24.2.0 under Bodhi Linux (Ubuntu derivative).

I click on the Address Book button to open my address book.

Then I click Edit > Search Addresses.

This opens a detailed dialog box called Advanced Address Book Search.

First, I can choose which address book(s) to search.

Then I can use a drop-down menu to choose various fields and search criteria, to build a regular expression for searching. It is actually quite comprehensive.

The only problem for me is: Most of my key words are located in the "Other" field, which is not included in the drop-down list. Very frustrating. The information is there, but it cannot be accessed with this tool. (At least, I have not figured out how to do so.)

I think it is this add-on you want https://nic-nac-project.org/~kaosmos/morecols-en.html

Thanks very much for taking time to help me out!

I don't see anything in the description of the add-on that relates to the "Other" field; but there does seem to be a lot of extra functionality that might somehow include it. Since I'm fairly new to Thunderbird, I'll have to study up on how to install add-ons and give this a try. I'll let you know if it helps. (Kind of late in the day to give it a try right now; will probably give it a shot tomorrow.

Your help is much appreciated!

http://chrisramsden.vfast.co.uk/3_How_to_install_Add-ons_in_Thunderbird.html

All along I have assumed you meant the notes field in the other tab. That add-on searches the notes field in the other tab.

Oh, I see what you mean!

Because Yahoo is having so much trouble with its contacts list (problems with punctuation marks, frequent down time, etc.), I thought I'd try exporting my contacts to Thunderbird. The process worked great. It appears that all info was retrieved, including the Yahoo "Notes" field. It appears that Yahoo's "Notes" maps into Thunderbird's "Other." So all my info has been successfully brought into Thunderbird. But it's disappointing that Thunderbird does not offer the "Other" field in the Advanced Address Book Search. That pretty much kills this approach for me, since that's where all my key words are.

Thanks, again, for taking time to help!

don't blame Thunderbird, part of an import of a csv file is to select which fields map to what, the fact that most people assume it will be how they like it and click ok is not the fault of the software.

You can also manually select what gets what titles by editing the CSV file in ca spreadsheet. I talk about that here. http://thunderbirdtweaks.blogspot.com.au/2013/03/importing-csv-files.html

Please don't misunderstand me. I certainly am not "blaming" Thunderbird. First of all, it is a very nice program. Second, it is FREE! So what's to blame?

However, if I can figure out how to fully search my imported contacts books, it will be even more useful to me. I will definitely take a look at your article and see if I can figure out how to map my Yahoo contact information into a searchable field in Thunderbird.

Thanks for so patiently hanging in there with me.

What I am trying to say is import the stuff again and fix the field names.

Yes, I understood that. I just need to learn how to do that. I will study your article and do some experimenting.

I very much appreciate your help, including the education.

The MoreFunctionsForAddressBook add-on mentioned above allows you to search the Notes field (see picture).

As both Matt and Sfhowes suggested, I installed the MoreFunctions add-on. Indeed, it added a bunch more options for fields to search within the Advanced Address Book Search dialog.

While it did not list "Other" (which is where I see all my Yahoo notes on the contact card), it did list "Notes." I searched on this field, and it WORKED!

So apparently the import function maps the Yahoo "Notes" field onto the Thunderbird "Notes" field. It simply titles it "Other" on the display card.

Thanks to both Matt and Sfhowes for helping me find my way here. This is yet another way in which Thunderbird makes it easier to work with my Yahoo email accounts.

Oh, and I now see these extra fields are also added to the quick-search window. Very nice. The Advanced Search function allows building of complex regular expressions, while the quick-search window facilitates quick searches. The Notes field now appears in both.

Thanks again!