Thunderbird: can I sort by two columns?

[Balaco]

What I use most to sort message in all folder is the reverse date
column, newer messages above.

For one specific folder, I want to use: unread messages first, but both
unread and read messages in the same reverse data sorting (newer
messages first).

My "special" folder was using that reverse date order. After I make two
(separate) clicks in the read/unread header, the unread messages appear
above. But their date order is not what I want. Clicking the date column
will remove my choice of read/unread.

Can I choose those two order rules to sort the message in this folder? How?

[David E. Ross]

I do not think you can pre-set a primary and secondary sort order. What
you can do is pre-set to sort by date and then -- when you open the
folder -- select "Sort by read" (the filled-in sideways 8) at the top of
the Thread pane.

--
David E. Ross
<http://www.rossde.com/>

By allowing employers to eliminate coverage for birth control
from their insurance plans, President Trump has guaranteed there
will be an increase in the demand for abortions.

[Balaco]

Em 17-10-2017 14:40, David E. Ross escreveu:
> On 10/17/2017 7:35 AM, Balaco wrote:
>> What I use most to sort message in all folder is the reverse date
>> column, newer messages above.
>>
>> For one specific folder, I want to use: unread messages first, but both
>> unread and read messages in the same reverse data sorting (newer
>> messages first).
>>
>> My "special" folder was using that reverse date order. After I make two
>> (separate) clicks in the read/unread header, the unread messages appear
>> above. But their date order is not what I want. Clicking the date column
>> will remove my choice of read/unread.
>>
>> Can I choose those two order rules to sort the message in this
folder? How?
>>
>
> I do not think you can pre-set a primary and secondary sort order. What
> you can do is pre-set to sort by date and then -- when you open the
> folder -- select "Sort by read" (the filled-in sideways 8) at the top of
> the Thread pane.
>

Oh, that is what I did, I think. I did not name things, but to sort
messages seen in the thread list (or message list, as I would call it) I
click on the headers of this list.

When I click the header which hint is "click to order by message read"
(or something like that, I am translating what I read to English) and
looks like a "sideways 8" or a dark glass, the messages are re-sorted
only by read/unread status.

[NFN Smith]

David E. Ross wrote:

>>
>> Can I choose those two order rules to sort the message in this folder? How?
>>
>
> I do not think you can pre-set a primary and secondary sort order. What
> you can do is pre-set to sort by date and then -- when you open the
> folder -- select "Sort by read" (the filled-in sideways 8) at the top of
> the Thread pane.

That's pretty much the standard with any multi-column display that
supports sorting. Sort by the secondary criteria, first, then sort again
by the primary. The results will be that where entries from the primary
are identical, then the sort order of the second order will generally be
retained.

I do this occasionally with my mail displays, but it even works in
spreadsheets (even if the spreadsheet handles multiple sorting criteria).

Smith

[Balaco]

I know that fact, and I had tried it. Did not work.

Further, if it "worked" for repeated entries in the fields I clicked, it
would need to be remembered after closing and opening TB. TB remembers
the sort choice for each folder - and if it does two cascade sorts for
each folder, it needs to remember one more.

And for what you said it does not do that. Well...

Thank you for your attention