1439146 - Virtual folder: search in all existing and new folders

Status: RESOLVED DUPLICATE of bug 378833

(Thunderbird :: Search, enhancement)

Description

[c.buhtz]

User Agent: Mozilla/5.0 (X11; Linux x86_64; rv:58.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/58.0
Build ID: 20180129224328

Steps to reproduce:

Currently when creating a virtual folder I need to select explicit each folder where TB have to search.


Actual results:

This causes that existing virtual folders doesn't take folders into account which where created after the creation of the virtual folders.


Expected results:

It should be possible to say to virtual folders "search in all folders". This should affect all existing and all in the future new created folders.

Comment 1

[Matt]

Attachment: AccountSelectionDialog.png

When you create a search using find (Ctrl+Shift+F) you are offered the choice of "the account"  or individual folders.  Unless I totally misunderstand your intent I see this bug as invalid as the functionality exists.  You simply select the account instead of individual folders.

Comment 2

[c.buhtz]

I think you missunderstand.

This is not about searching but about VirtualFolders which I would describe as persistent searches.

You are right if you say I can search in the whole account. But this is only possible at a specific time and for a search. But it is not possible for a virtual folder.

When I create a virtual folder I have to give it explicite a list of folders where to search in. There is no "search in all folders" checkbox.
Of course I can just check all folders explicite - fine.
But... When I create a new regular folder the virtual folders doesn't take account of it. They wouldn't search in the new folder.

Comment 3

[c.buhtz]

Attachment: 1-create-search.jpg

Comment 4

[c.buhtz]

Attachment: 2-new-folder.jpg

Comment 5

[c.buhtz]

My english is not the best to explain this complex feature. Sorry for that.
Again let me try to explain in short words. The missing feature is:

"Search in all folders AND in prospectivly existing folders"

- See my two screenshots I attached. In the first screeshot you see how I create a "Saved Search" (aka "Virtual Folder").
- In the next step I create a new folder with the name "HER IS THE NEW FOLDER" [sic].
- The second screenshot: Their you can see in the proporties of the "Saved Search" that this new folder "HER IS THE NEW FOLDER" is not recognized by the search.

You see the problem?

Comment 6

[Anje]

The method you are using :
'File' > 'New' > 'Saved Search' 

This method allows you to select specific folders or you manually need to select each one if you want to search in all of them.

The method advised:
'Edit' (or 'Menu icon') > 'Find' > 'Search Messages' 
Then save results as a 'Search Folder'.

This is the method to use when you want to search all messages in all folders in an account.
That method also allows you to select a specific folder if desired.

However, I do see your point.
'File' > 'New' > 'Saved Search' method shows the account name with a checkbox, so it would not be unreasonable to assume that  selecting that checkbox would mean search all folders within that mail account.
Currently, if you only select the mail account checkbox, the search will not function and you will be prompted to select at least one folder.


As the result you are trying to achieve is already available via the other method described, I'm thinking this might not be regarded as an urgent 'bug'.

Comment 7

[c.buhtz]

I am really sorry but you didn't get it. What I am "trying to achieve" is not available via your methode.

Please try your methode yourself. After you tried please create a new folder. And than look if your saved search is aware (automaticly!!!) of this new created folder. It is not!

Can you understand my non-native english words?

Comment 8

[Anje]

I now understand the situation you describe.
The initial search conditions specifically select folders and base results and updated results on those selected folders.
A new folder created after the search folder is not auto added to the search conditions.

Currently, you need to use the 'Properties' option on the virtual search folder to update the conditions.

Right click on the 'search folder'
select 'Properties'
click on 'Choose'
select new folder, so it is now included in parameters.
click on 'OK'
click on 'Update'. 

This means, currently, you need to update the conditions on the search folder after creating any new folder.
So, it is possible to update the conditions as required on that search folder.

You are asking for :
If a mail account name checkbox is selected in a search, then assume it means 'search all folders in that mail account' and auto update to include any new created folders without you needing to do this.

So I assume this also means to remove any folders that have been subsequently deleted.

This is a request for an enhancement.



Information for developers:...

Current situation:
'File' > 'New' > 'Saved Search' method
Selecting the mail account checkbox, the search will not function and you will be prompted to select at least one folder.

Expected selecting mail account checkbox to auto include all folders - it does not. An error message is offered stating at least one folder must be selected.
Expected this to auto update to include all new folders added at a later time - it does not.
Folders are individually selected, there is no option to select all folders in a selected mail account , so when new folders are created they cannot be auto included.


'Edit' (or 'Menu icon') > 'Find' > 'Search Messages' 
Search for messages in :Select the mail account name - not a specific folder
Assumed this would select all folders and it does.
select: 'Search subfolders'
Then save results as a 'Search Folder'.

Expected selecting mail account checkbox to auto include all folders in that mail account - it does.
Expected this to auto update to include all new folders added at a later time - it does not.
Folders are individually selected under 'Properties', there is no option to select all folders in a selected mail account , so when new folders are created they cannot be auto included.

Comment 9

[c.buhtz]

Dear Anje,

now you got it. Thank you very much for parapharsing my bad english in better english. :) Sorry for my awful english.

Comment 10

[c.buhtz]

Just a hint. A user in a forum mentioned another feauter. He/She would like to specifiy all and new folders but some exlude folders. But I think he/she didn't follow my advise to open a ticket for this here.

Comment 11

[Wayne Mery (:wsmwk)]

Thanks. This is covered in bug 378833