export filters

[Buadh]

Is it possible to export filters? I have a Mac and a Macbook and I would like to replicate the filters so they are the same whichever system I'm using. Thx

[RealRaven2000]

Is it possible to export filters? I have a Mac and a Macbook and I would like to replicate the filters so they are the same whichever system I'm using. Thx

Yes, with my other Add-on quickFilters:

if you only want to export selected filters, hold down CTRL while clicking the buttons.

Export one file for each account, then import the corresponding files on the other side:

Filters of the same name will be overwritten.

[fredstluka]

Is it possible to export filters? I have a Mac and a Macbook and I would like to replicate the filters so they are the same whichever system I'm using. Thx

Yes, with my other Add-on quickFilters:

@Buadh, if you're comfortable manipulating the underlying Thunderbird files directly, it's even easier than that! It's already exported. You just have to copy the file.

Thunderbird keeps all filters for an entire email address in a single plain text file. You can just copy that file from one system to another. I've done it many times over the years, as I moved from one Windows PC to another, then to Mac, then to various newer Macs, etc.

I also regularly edit the filter file with a text editor to add a new filter, or change or delete an old one. Just close Thunderbird, copy or edit the file msgFilterRules.dat with TextEdit or whatever text editor you like, and re-open Thunderbird. All the filters are replicated!

On a Mac, look in:

• /Users/your_username/Library/Thunderbird/Profiles/your_profile_name/msgFilterRules.dat

Hope this helps!
--Fred

[Buadh]

Guys - awesome quick responses. I'll give those a go. Thx

[RealRaven2000]

@Buadh, if you're comfortable manipulating the underlying Thunderbird files directly, it's even easier than that! It's already exported. You just have to copy the file.

yeah be a little bit careful there, because those files aren't well structured. the exports of quickFilters are in json format so you can check integrity with any source code editor, it's also easier to run third party tools if you need to manipulate stuff. If there are mistakes we can add sanity checking during import, if a msgFilterRules.dat is broken, you're not going to get that, it just either works or doesn't.

If you simply copy over msgFilterRules.dat directly it's of course an option, be careful that folder URIs might change due to subtle changes in spelling for the same account, again this can be fixed by careful bulk replacement. the restore in quickFilters will simply overwrite filters of the same name so you can go incremental and only export a subset of filters and test with that first.

Finally, you can do a rudimentary integrity check with the troubleshooting tool:

Right-click the button first to configure which steps you would like it to run. It currently doesn't have a UI for configuration just a config window, but it will get the job done. Come to think of it, I don't think I have documented the toolbar in message filters very well, maybe a to do for the support page.

[RealRaven2000]

Come to think of it, I don't think I have documented the toolbar in message filters very well

That's the section on the message filters window.

https://quickfilters.quickfolders.org/index.html#messageFilterList

needs a refresh, more detail on backup / restore and a chapter about troubleshooting...