Apple Event: May 7th at 7 am PT

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Level 2

272 points

Mail edit drag n drop bug

Drag and drop to edit text when composing a message in Mail sometimes does a cut and paste, other times does a copy and paste. The correct function is to always cut and paste. This has been confirmed in notes posted by Dee Run and by James WIlson7, although those notes are now archived. A response to Dee Run by Goldenshoes suggests careful clicking can provide a workaround. However, there should be no need for such finess: if drag n drop moves text, it should always perform a cut and paste. The fact that it sometimes does a copy and paste is a bug.

This is a minor problem, but it is an irritating defect which I have observed through several versions of OSX: I don't remember how long, maybe back to 10.4 or earlier. I suspect the fix will be fairly simple, such as insuring a bit is set properly before the edit is carried out. I have reported the problem several times and keep hoping, but no fix yet.

It is important for the user experience that drag n drop always perform as advertised. It seems more requests for a fix will be necessary to get this repaired. It might be helpful if others confirm here their observation of this problem. Please join me in bringing this to the attention of Apple through the feedback in Mail.

Mac Pro 3,1, Mac OS X (10.6.7), HP Photosmart C6180, Canon SD 950 IS, Canon Vixia HF100

Posted on May 20, 2011 8:44 AM

34 replies

Tom Ritch Author

Level 2

272 points

Aug 29, 2016 11:37 PM in response to seventy one

delete this. An error message tells me

You can not post a blank message. Please type your message and try again.

Tom Ritch Author

Level 2

272 points

Aug 29, 2016 11:34 PM in response to seventy one

Nasty stories I can believe. Nothing is ever as simple or straightforward as it seems, or could, or should, be. Even so, mistakes have to be corrected. Otherwise they are perpetuated.

I don't need acknowledgement of the error, or that the error has been perpetuated now for many years. I just want it fixed. That is what happens with many, probably most, bugs. Repaired with no acknowledgment of their existence.

For a long time, for whatever reason, bugs in Apple software, both system software and apps, were not acknowledged and not repaired. They accumulated. The software became so defective people were refusing to continue using it. Not Windoze users refusing to give Mac OS a try, but long-term Mac users who never wanted anything else, were compelled to leave Apple because the software was so unreliable.

Finally Apple appears to recognize the problem, and has made steps to fix the many many bugs which had been accumulating for so many years. That may not mean acknowledging the bugs, for whatever reason. It does mean identifying and fixing them.

Other threads suggest the more the complaints, the more likely the fix. Crowd-sourcing the workflow, I suppose.

Ignoring the problem, waiting for it to get fixed, for many years, has not worked.

Does the squeaky wheel get the grease? Worth a try, I suppose. Nothing else has worked so far.

Tom Ritch Author

Level 2

272 points

Aug 29, 2016 11:35 PM in response to Tom Ritch

I do not know how the above got posted, nor how to get rid of it.

Lexcifer

Level 1

4 points

Nov 27, 2016 3:50 PM in response to Tom Ritch

I have this problem too, persistent over many years, different computers. It is a significant loss. Another bit to mention...I use Windows/Office a work. The text editing functions (such as drag and drop with or without copy using control key) are flawless, the text is displayed at readable size with no fancy work-arounds, and changes in format are much easier. I would never choose Apple for mail based on user experience.

Mail edit drag n drop bug