I used to be able to set columns in mail when using the column layout feature. Now there doesn't appear to be a way to do this - also is it possible to rearrange the columns showing in mail other than turning a column off?
I started this thread and so will save you some time paging through the hundreds of replies: there is no workaround, Apple has said nothing, and the two most common mail apps that folks are migrating to get columns is Thunderbird and Outlook, both of which have improved and are more Apple friendly.
I have a different take on why. Columns still exist in every other OS function in Finder and elsewhere. Code like this are 'objects' that can be dropped into most other apps, so I do not believe it is lack of willingness to 'support the code'.
I do think they are trying to move the Mac OS to as close as possible to the iPhone/ipad OS to make the user experience nearly the same. But this makes for a big dumbing down of the Mac OS.
The mystery to me is that you can't change column width in iPhones-- so are they now going to remove the ability to do that in ALL Mac OS apps, finder etc.? I highly doubt that, so why selectively remove it from Mail?
I think they don't believe it is that popular so why not get rid of it. Hence the importance of letting our voices be heard.
Fred - Try the Mozilla "Thunderbird" Mail Client. It's free and very robust.
"A feature not a bug - OMG"
That's what someone at Apple told me this week - it was planned. ie. they weren't removed by mistake.
No longer available in Catalina as far as I can determine.
I HATE this change!
Apple, let ME determine how to configure my Mail viewer - at LEAST as much as you have for several previous OS.
I agree - I can't get it to work either. Nor can I remove the source (account) of the mail, which is an unnecessary column! I'd prefer to have a wider name/subject/date than see the account name. Totally irrelevant.
Anyone found a solution to either of these (column width adjustment or removing the account source?
IMO - Apple has oversimplified Mail in MacOS Catalina to the point where it is idiot-proof.
. . . . it is just a shame that most users are not idiots!
An example of form over function - looking good only gets you so far . . . once people start using it, then you need to help them get the most out of it and not give them a straightjacket and tell them that it is the latest fashion and they should be grateful that you will buckle them in tight!
:-)
DemosWatch wrote:
Apple: who's watching the henhouse?
The Henhouse app was removed from Catalina, along with column dividers.
From what I gather, they will, like the missing Pages features, slowly bring these back.
Okay, here's the glass half full. Requires a little work in that you have turn on the tap, download the App and configure it but maybe it. will work for you?
When working through a mail issue with Apple Support a long, long time ago, they had me load a Mozilla mail client called Thunderbird. I reinstalled it on my Catalina MacMini and had to perform several updates but it works well with OS X 10.15. This might be an interim solution for those of you with multiple accounts that need to keep track of who sent what and to whom. If Apple doesn't get it's act together soon, I'll make it my default mail client!
Cheers!
"they had me load a Mozilla mail client called Thunderbird."
Thunderbird is almost as old as OS X itself. At one point Mozilla even stopped development (only to restart it later).
Postbox is another one worth a look.
My guess is that Apple wanted to get all of the subscription apps out there ASAP and to **** with doing whatever was necessary to get Mail up to speed. The usual corporate MO: lock in the customers and then .... (feel free to enter your own phrase). Be sure to enter your complaints at apple.com/feedback.
After years of using a good email product, I'm searching for a replacement to MAC mail. Any recommendations?
They finally "upgraded" the functional email for Catalina to a totally useless POS. Can't see how many attachments. Can change column width or add/remove column headers. Can't even go back to classic view. I'm forced to find an alternative that has simple features that can be used to sort by sender, recipient, etc. This is a "HORRIBLE" upgrade.
Yes, Postbox is very good. wwww.postbox-inc.com
Give a try. I a like it a lot since it has a lot more advanced features than Apple Mail.
I wish Apple would buy it and make it part of their operating system and replace Mail.
clubdeluxe wrote:
I really hate this change and used the adjustable column width and column sort features frequently. There does not appear to be a way to either reinstall the previous version of Apple Mail 12.4 or activate the "column" settings.
Nope. You’d have to drop back & restore Mojave.
Hi everybody,
I just sent the following message to Apple. If you like the text, why don't you copy it and send it along! (It might be better to be polite than rude...)
Dear Apple.
You can see from my mail address that I have ben with you for a long time. And i have always enjoyed using Mail with all the adjustments possible - until now. Recently I should show a friend how fantastic Mail is, being able to switch between Classic View and "the IOS-version", but alas... Classic View is gone with Catalina, Completely frozen! No adjustment possible!
I beg you to bring my Mac back to the superior computer it used to be. Please!
"Can anyone suggest an alternative mail program that can do this?" (I tried clicking "reply" but nothing happened.......!)
I have been using Microsoft Outlook for work, and it is now far better than Mail. Very customisable, the search function greatly improved, an all-round better alternative. The only thing is, you have to pay an annual subscription for an Office suite account, whereas Mail is built in to MacOS. I hope they fix Mail soon, it's pretty ugly as it is.
At work are you using Outlook on a Mac? The search function is fantastic and works just like "Find" in Finder. You have to click "Advanced" though to bring the field definitions up.
It's not at all slow on a Mac.
Columns is easy as pie, and just like it used to be in Mail.... pointer at top until turns to arrow, drag. Done. Need to change, add or subtract columns, easy peasy, control click in the header and adjust to your heart's content... just like Mail used to do.
Column width in mail for OSX Catalina
