Sort "Address Books" by book name

I have several address books and would like to sort the book names. I am not referring to the names within a book, but rather the book names themselves. (i.e. Abook, Cbook, Fbook, Bbook, Ebook, Dbook to Abook, Bbook, Cbook, Dbook, Ebook, Fbook).

 

Cal, I assume you are talking about the Address Books in either Seamonkey or Thunderbird.

I find the Address Books in both are automatically sorted in alphabetical order when or as they are created.

The trick is to name the books with a name that places each book in the list where you would like to have it.

Since Windows sorts by numbers first and letters second, I created the habit of prefacing my Files and Folders or in this case "Address Books" with numbers.

My file, folder or "Address Book" might be named "1-A-Book" or "4-ABOOK" or it could be named "5-The Grand Kids Addresses ".

However, since the days of MS-DOS when File and Directory (Folders) were limited to 8 characters in the name I have continued the habit of using short File/Folder names and don't much care for long names.

When I have a File or Folder I don't use very often and don't care to have it in the mix to wade through, I will preface it with a "Z" such as "Z-FILENAME" just to get it to the bottom of the list and out of my way.

In other words in my real world those Files/Folders I use often will be prefaced with a number to sort the list in the way I want it sorted.

Those Files/Folders I don't want to be in the way and don't use very often will be prefaced with a X, Y, or Z.

AND Yes, it often don't matter to me where in the list a File or Folder falls and I will give it any name to describe the File/Folder.

But, there again, I mostly keep the names very short.

If you want your "Address Books" sorted a certain way this is a method to do it and all you need do is RIGHT Click on the books name and select properties and rename the book.

NOTE: it does not re-sort immediately after renaming but, after closing and reopening the Address Books it will be sorted by number first and letters second.

There may be another way to achieve the sorting of Address Books. But, if so, I am not aware of it.

Hope this helps, Ray

 

Be there - done that - not working

Hi Ray,

Yes, I'm using TB 2.0.0.19.

Actually, what you said to do is what I've been doing. I don't use a number prefix, but I do use short names. If I remember correctly at one time they were sort alphabetically, but as I've added

some​

where along the line it's no longer so.

I believe that the Personal Address Book will always be at the top, and that's great with me, but my others won't list in order. i.e. one section is:
.......
.......
Media
CMI Contacts
Churches - RCC AT

Dio​

.
BRSC Members
Love Circle

WHoly​

Humor
Bible Study
......
......

I tried renaming, going out of TB and the Address Book and back in. No change.

 

Cal, I agree, the "Personal Address Book" will always be at the top and "Collected Addresses" will always be at the bottom. But, I am able to sort all the books in between using the method previously stated.

Strange and interesting that we are getting different results.

For the record, I use Seamonkey all time but, I do have TB 2.0.0.18 installed and setup so I can see and understand what other folks are discussing on this forum relative to Thunderbird.

Using my TB 2.0.0.18 version, I have no problems making the Address Books sort as I previously stated. AND they do the same in Seamonkey.

I posted a Screen Shot of my TB 2.0.0.18 Address Books at www.raysmyth.net/ab.jpg and you can see for your self the sort results after making a few TEST Books and renaming 3 each I had previously created.

I will be interested in discovering why the differences so maybe the experts will jump in and help us with this.

Cheers, Ray

 

Hi Ray,

I think you're right about seeing what others may offer up.

BTW, I sent you an email with a screen shot of what I have, just for so. I also took a quick look at your web site! Quite interesting.

 

Cal,

So far the advice given seems to be correct.
I am a little confused in WHAT you have, I do not understand:

I don't follow the:
Dio
and the:
Wholy
Are they BOOKS and lists within the book ?
If you can send me a Picture VIA forum PM - it would be appreciated.

regards:captjlddavis

 

Cal, I looked at the screen shot of your Address Book listing and since you were not able to post it on your Comcast Web site due to reason not yet determined. I have posted it on mine. However, since it is your private Address Books, I am leaving the posting of the link to you or I will do so with your permission.

Like I said in my reply to your e-mail, It appears the Address Books ABOVE the "Collected Addresses" are sorted and those displayed BELOW the "Collected Addresses" are not sorted.

So, your situation gets more interesting and strange because I have not been able to create any Address Books below the "Collected Addresses" as it appears you have done.

I was able to create Sub-Folders to the Collected Addresses but, not inline the way your list or tree or Address Books shows.

Capt. Davis ask about the funny way your Address Books are listed here on this Thread and I noticed the Screen Shot you sent me is not at all like the way you listed them here on the thread.

Is there a reason for that being different as it might help to resolve the problem.

Cheers, Ray

 

Thanks Ray,
Hopefully I can get a look at what Cal actually has. Sure sounds stange to me also.

regards:captjlddavis

 

Chief,

Fell free to post my screen shot as I can't figure out how to post an image here in the BBS without it being on my web site, which for the momnet I can't access. I note you said it was on your cite but I couldn't find it.

The image I sent was accurate. What I posted was a made up version just to try and show what I was seeing. It wasn't the real one.

Cal

 

The screen shot Cal e-mailed me to show the actual Address Books he is seeing in Thunderbird 2.0.0.19 and desires to sort is located at:.. www.raysmyth.net/cal-1.jpg

As mentioned in my earlier post, it appears the Address Books are sorting correctly ABOVE the "Collected Addresses" But, not BELOW.

However, also as mentioned, I personally have not been able to create any Address Books BELOW the "Collected Addresses "

Cheers, Ray

 

Cal,

Please enter config editor in TB and filter on:
position
does it show ANY user set entries?

Pleaase let me know.

regards:captjlddavis

 

User Set

Captn.,

Yes there are several. Don't know what they are or how the get there, but I do have of them.

Cal

 

Thanks Cal,
Please conferm that there are indeed entries in config editor - under position filter, if there are, then that is your problem.

There should be NO user set entries under filter for postion.

If this is true,

CLOSE TB - and BACK_UP your prefs.js file. to a safe place. (in case this does not work.........)

1. Open TB - config editor - filter on position.
2. Select the one or more of the user set entries and reset to default value.
3. Close ALL instances of TB -
4. Open TB and check Address book display. - it should show some of the books are now displayed ABOVE the "Collected Addresses "

Let me know if this works ?

Take a look at:
http://testo.home.mchsi.com/tb_book.html
(work in progress - )

regards:captjlddavis

 

Capt,

Unless I don't understand, I have no "position" enteries. I am looking under the field Preference Name. Just in case I was not seeing it, I typed "position" in the filter field and found nothing.

Cal

 

Cal,

That does not make sense.....there has to be SOME entries.
Take a look at the link I posted -
Unless I messed up in in the link, that may help.

That is position without quotes
regards:captjlddavis

 

Victory

Captain and Chief,

That did it! I don't know what I did the first time I look at the Config Editor, but I saw no "position" entries. With the guidance you gave Captain, the problem is resolved.

I will sleep sounder tonight.

Thanks for sticking with me on this. I could have lived with what I had, but an alphabetical list makes things a lot easier to find.

And, yes, as one of you mentioned I do have a number of address books. Only 3 of them have any duplicate names. I am just connected with a ot of groups I work with.

Peace, Cal

 

I've drawn a blank....How do you get to about:config in Thunderbird?

 

Cal,
Glad it helped.

Bill,

TB 2.0.0.19 -
Tools - Options - Advanced
Right side - Bottom button
Config Editor...

regards:captjldd

 

Thanks Cal and Capt Davis,

This was an interesting exercise and I learned some things.

Ray

 

Ray,

It's just one adventure after another.......

regards:captjldd