We're calling on all EU-based Mozillians with iOS or iPadOS devices to help us monitor Apple’s new browser choice screens. Join the effort to hold Big Tech to account!

Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

Why does not the assiged priority of a sent note show anywhere in the note as received?

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

more options

In Thunderbird, you can set the priority of a note being composed and sent; however, I cannot see any indication of that assigned priority in either the note that is being sent, or in the sent folder, or in the note as received. Specifically, the recipient does not see the note as high priority, and therefore has no indication that it is particularly urgent.

It appears that the priority feature of Thunderbird is not operational.

In Thunderbird, you can set the priority of a note being composed and sent; however, I cannot see any indication of that assigned priority in either the note that is being sent, or in the sent folder, or in the note as received. Specifically, the recipient does not see the note as high priority, and therefore has no indication that it is particularly urgent. It appears that the priority feature of Thunderbird is not operational.

Chosen solution

In a new Write window you can set the priority of a message using: Options > Priority > select an option eg; highest

After sending you can view this. click on 'Sent' folder click on the 'Select columns to display' icon and select to display the 'Priority' column. (you can set the 'Priority' column in any folder) see image:

In a received email you would see this in the source code and full headers as: eg: X-Priority: 1 (Highest)

Read this answer in context 👍 3

All Replies (7)

more options

Chosen Solution

In a new Write window you can set the priority of a message using: Options > Priority > select an option eg; highest

After sending you can view this. click on 'Sent' folder click on the 'Select columns to display' icon and select to display the 'Priority' column. (you can set the 'Priority' column in any folder) see image:

In a received email you would see this in the source code and full headers as: eg: X-Priority: 1 (Highest)

more options

Priority is quite bluntly simply not used, by anyone these days, except company executives who have the power to direct subordinates to give their mail some sort of priority. You think your mail is a priority and set it as such, but when I get it I set my own priorities so your opinion is not all that relevant.

If you right click on the list heading in the sent or any other folder, there is a priority column you can turn on. So the feature works, just no one uses it.

more options

The main concern that I had was that a recipient would not see the note being flagged as high priority. I see now that neither the sender nor the receiver will see the priority unless there is a column set up. (Clearly, searching though the source to see the priority setting is not something that would ever happen.

I am just used to seeing a priority flag in the header part of the actual note, so that's why I thought that there was no indication of priority in Thunderbird.

So, I can adjust accordingly, without agreeing that "no one" uses priority any more.

Modified by Ken West

more options

Hi kenwest I've done a search for an addon and located this addon which may be of interest to you. It still uses a column but one that is much smaller and icons replace words.

more options

The reason for mentioning the info in the headers eg: X-Priority: 1 (Highest) was so that you could use it to create a Message Filter.

So if Priority is 1 then perform this action eg: Tag Message as Important and/or Add a Star. Then you would have a visual display flagging the message in list withour needing any addon or Priority column open.

the Priority list: Highest = 1 High = 2 Normal = 3 Low = 4 Lowest = 5

more options

I am curious. I received a (legitimate) message from someone and it carried in red the tag "important". Can I do that in TB? I may send many emails to certain people...and, while all deserve to be read, every now and then one is really More Deserving (=more important) than the others.

How do I send a message with that tag via TB?

Thanks for insight...

more options

blamb22: This question was about setting a 'Priority' and a Chosen Solution was set.

As you are asking a competely different question about 'Tags' and not setting 'Priority', you should have asked new question and not hijacked this other persons query.

But I can see why you thought it was asking something along the same lines. I this instance I have issued a response.

I have located some information on how to send an email with a TAG applied. You will need to use an Addon. Download the addon at this link to your desktop or downloads file. https://addons.mozilla.org/en-us/thunderbird/addon/tag-toolbar/?src=cb-dl-toprated

then install the addon: In Thunderbird 'Tools' > 'Add-ons' OR 'Menu Icon' > 'Add-ons' click on gear wheel icon and select 'Install addon from file' locate the file you downloaded and click on 'Open' The addon willl appear in the list of addon extensions. You will need to restart Thunderbird.

Once restarted click on 'Write' 'View' > 'Toolbars' > select 'Tag Toolbar' Compose email. Select 'Important' tag click on 'Attach tags' Send email.

Test this by sending an email to yourself.

You can also use this 'Tag Toolbar' in the main use interface where you see the folders and list of emails. So you can also have quick Tag toolbar available. 'View' > 'Toolbars' > select 'Tag Toolbar' or 'Menu icon' > 'Options' > Select 'Tag Toolbar'