How can I lock the message sort columns so a stray click doesn't wipe my sort by settings?
With the message sort columns on Thunderbird being right below the mail buttons (Next, back, delete, reply, etc.), it's easy to misclick on one of the columns which resets your sort by and group by settings.
It's very frustrating that there's no option to either lock the sort by so clicking on one of the message columns (Subject, From, date, etc.) does nothing. I saw there's an add-on that looks to do this (https://addons.thunderbird.net/en-US/thunderbird/addon/no-message-pane-sort-by-mouse/) however it requires Full Access permissions that I'm not comfortable with.
Heck it shouldn't require any permissions imo. Is there some other way to implement this? Could this be added as feature in a future update?
All Replies (3)
I suggest you leave the quick filter toolbar open if accidental click are an issue. The user interface can not be locked in any simplistic way.
The quick filter toolbar doesn't have sort by options I use though (Sort By X and Group by sort) Typically I sort my email by From / Sender and group it by that.
Basically you either:
- stop making accidental incorrect selections by clicking in areas you would not want to click
- Use the Quick Filter Bar as a manual buffer to help stop accidental errors
- Use an addon to lock the Column headers
For anyone needing info: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/permission-request-messages-thunderbird-extensions#w_have-full-unrestricted-access-to-thunderbird-and-your-computer
To allow the addon to work it needs to be able to access various files within Thunderbird to make the code work as you desire and expect from the addon. It cannot keep asking for permissions just in order to work.
Please note if the addon is from the Thunderbird official addon page then it will have been vetted.
There are addons which can be used from other sources/locations - not from the official Thunderbird addon website and you need to be very sure about the source.