In the new Mac osX CataIina I cannot find a way to change the columns viewed in Mail. You used to be able to change the field widths and add columns from the View/Columns menu. How can I accomplish this now?
Also, what does the black background TO next to the email title mean?
The issue is that the ability to add, remove, and reorder columns has disappeared for no good reason that anybody can fathom, causing various problems. Additionally, archived Sent Items no longer show who the emails were sent TO, only who they were FROM. Again, another ridiculous design choice--Um, if I sent an email, I know who it's FROM!!! So if you are in a record keeping business (law, real estate, medicine, tax related, etc.) you can no longer use apple mail to archive your email as not showing the recipient likely violates most record keeping statutes.
Again for what purpose the developers thought this was a good idea, or how they justified this, or how they thought we'd benefit from this, is beyond all comprehension.
There are two issues here (1) The stupidity of discontinuing an essential aspect of functionality of a Mail program, and (2) The poor customer service response of Apple.
It took a year during which multiple complaint and extensive customer feedback forced get Apple to reverse this change, but unfortunately they have imposed a complete no communication policy with their customers, which frankly comes across as hostile.
The result is that, like many of us, I am still on 10.5.2 and there are several apps that I can't update as they are not compatible. I am over-joyed mail columns are coming back in Big Sur, or so it is said (I look forward to getting my old Mail back), but although I scan update details, the web and various places, I have seen no confirmation of the fact, so I won't upgrade until I have proof that its there!
Apple - do us all a favour - without judgment or blame - just one sentence will do.
I love apple, but man these seemingly arbitrary changes are frustrating. I don't like how the order of the columns and want to change them. Why on earth would they remove this ability?!
This isn't the first time a feature people rely upon has been arbitrarily destroyed. The new mail is so much worse as a result. :(
Just a reminder to everybody to please report this: https://www.apple.com/feedback/mail.html
In Catalina 10.15.1 I went into Mail>pPeferences>Fonts and reduced the message column font. I don't know why Apple support doesn't know this.
Brian,
Hi, yes, that is the link and the best way to get through to Apple.
https://www.apple.com/feedback/mail.html
If everyone does this, who knows?
If you change preview to be at the Botton vs. side then at least you can see more of "from" in that column than you can with side preview
Here's the link to give feedback to Apple about Mail. Maybe if lots and lots of us do this, they will change it.
I know it feels good to vent on this site but anyone who hates this “improvement” as much as I do must go to apple.com/Feedback and post your feelings or you’re wasting your time.
And in the IOS version of mail they really screwed it up. You no longer have an icon for "move" instead you have to hit the curved, arrow icon that used to be for "reply" and then scroll down until you find the "move" icon. More steps and less intuitive. They must be using 3rd world programmers that do not use Apple products.
catalina mail column view
