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The auto reply adds (was:<original subject>) how do i change it so it adds RE:<original subject>?

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Hi, I am a new user of Thunderbird and have set up an auto reply which changes the subject of the received message to (was:<original subject?) - how can I change this behavoir so it just adds RE:<original subject>? Kind regards, Malcolm </p>

Hi, I am a new user of Thunderbird and have set up an auto reply which changes the subject of the received message to (was:<original subject?) - how can I change this behavoir so it just adds RE:<original subject>? Kind regards, Malcolm

Modified by MalcolmCaine

All Replies (10)

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I uninstalled Thunderbird, i removed all thunderbird folders from program files and user profile. I downloaded fresh install, i installed and set up the email profile again. I created a new template. I created a new auto reply with template filter. After all this the result is the same - the subject of the reply sent is not RE: ORIGINAL SUBJECT it is (was: ORIGINAL SUBJECT)

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I reinstalled the latest version after uninstalling and deleting all thunderbird folders. I created the new email account and a new template and a new message filter for auto reply with template and the result is the same. The auto reply subject is (was: ORIGINAL SUBJECT). It appears this is normal? Is there a config file where this can be edited or is there text that can be added to the template subject to force RE: ORIGINAL SUBJECT ?

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The image you supplied showing filter rule does not show the name of the Template to use- it says 'Reply with Template', but no template name

1. Please post image of filter rule that shows all the information


You have created a Template and saved it in the Templates folder. Please click on Template folder. Select the Template email so it shows in the lower Message Pane.

2. Post an image which shows all of this: Template Folder as selected in folder Pane Template email in list as selected Template email showing in Message Pane

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Hi, here are the images. Previous advice was to keep the subject empty so there is no title to the template. The template is returned in the auto reply message OK. Hope i have posted all you need.

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Thanks for images. Confirm: the test email you created and sent to yourself to trigger the filter.

This test email; it should be a new 'Write' email - not a previously used email.

create a new Write email, but just before you send it, capture an image and 1. Post an image of this email, so we can see what you actually sent before it is saved.

Then after the filter has run and you have 'replied' to yourself, you will have two emails. 2. The first will be in the 'Sent' folder. - Please post image - make sure image also shows it is the one in the 'Sent' folder, so include folder pane. 3. the second will be in the Inbox - please post image. - make sure image also shows it is the one in the 'Inbox' folder, so include folder pane.

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Yes, the email is a new mail sent from a separate account from my laptop. First image is the new email before sending. Second is shown as received in the inbox. Third is the auto reply in the sentbox. Some images may be duplicated as there was a problem uploading.

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Sorry for delay in feedback as I've been doing a bit of research with the Addon author and checking out Bugzilla.

I've been reproducing your 'Out of office' issue and looking into whether this was something included by the 'Clean subject' addon since removed or whether it is there by TB design.

This is what I discovered.

When you receive an email it will usually have a subject, when you auto respond via the Filter, it changes the Subject from whatever it was to 'Out of Office' (if that is entered in the Template subject - even no subject is a change).

When the recipient receives the 'out of Office' reply from you, in order for them to know what 'Subject' your response is in connection with, TB auto includes the original subject as 'was' blah blah. Otherwise, the original sender may not know what email the reponse relates to.

So. to conclude: The 'was' included in the subject when a Template replies via filter as in the case of an 'Out of Office' filter is not something added by any Add-on. It is a part of the Thunderbird code and design.

There is an ongoing discussion as to whether the Subject should actually have the words 'Auto' as well as the 'was', to indicate that it is an auto responder.

So at this point, I would advise you include a Subject which says eg: 'Out of Office' or 'Auto response AFK' or something similar.

I hope this will put your mind at rest. You are not doing anything wrong. You do not need to create any new profiles. I've also explained why the 'was' is included in the subject.

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Thank you for the time you spent in providing such a full reply. I was coming to the conclusion that the was... is TB designed. During my efforts I noticed that if the template had the subject of RE: and so titled RE: TB cleared it before auto replying. My problem is I want the auto reply to have the prefix RE:. Is there a way of forcing this and then I am sure this will be the last work on this question.

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Sorry, you cannot add a 're' to the start. Even the addon 'Clean subject' currently does not deal with autoresponding; it just does standard reply/forwarding.

If you put it in the template subject , it will be removed as you've discovered.

That's why there is a 'was' inserted, so the recipient understands what it is in connection with, but it is not exactly a continuation of a topic.

Standard 'replies' usually include the previous conversation, but auto responder using template does not include the original email, that's why the 'was' is useful.

Also when you get back to looking at emails, in your 'Sent' folder, you will find all the auto repond 'Out of Office (was blah blah)' emails. So you can also work out what topic and who sent the original email.

It means you do not get a load of 'Out of Office' emails included in the threads.

Modified by Toad-Hall

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Once again, thank you for your time explaining. I understand the intentions of TB and this call and other similar ones to my name can be closed.

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