Chapter 5. Command and Menu Reference

Daniel Naber

David Rugge

Michel Boyer de la Giroday

Laurent Montel

Scarlett Clark

David Bryant

Revision 5.14.2 (Applications 20.04.2) (2021-03-31)

Each KMail specific menu item is discussed below. When there is a keyboard shortcut that performs a menu item function, the default shortcut is listed with the menu item.

The KMail Reader Window

File Menu

The File Menu

The File Menu

 

FileNew >

Here you can choose to create one of four new items, as follows:

FileNewNew Message... (Ctrl+N)

Compose a new message. This will open a Composer window, where you can write a new message.

FileNewMessage from Template >

Creates a new message from a selected template. Please see Compose From Templates for additional information on creating templates. If you do not have any templates saved, you will see MessageMessage from Template >(no templates).

FileNewAdd Folder...

Creates a new folder. The ensuing dialog will ask you to give the new folder a name. The new folder will be created as a subfolder of the currently selected folder.

FileNewNew AddressBook Contact...

Launches the New Contact dialog, permitting you to add a new entry in KAddressBook.

 

FileOpen... (Ctrl+O)

Opens saved email messages (.mbox files).

FileOpen Recent

Displays a list of recently opened messages. Only those messages that have been saved as .mbox files and subsequently opened will appear on this list. If no such files exist, this menu item will be grayed out.

FileSave As... (Ctrl+S)

Saves the currently displayed message to a .mbox file. This file includes all the headers and attachments, in MIME format. If you want to save it as a different format (e.g., as a .txt file), uncheck the Automatically select filename extension (.mbox) box, and add the filename extension before saving the file.

FileExport to PDF...

Exports the currently displayed message as a .pdf file.

FileImport Messages...

Starts up the KMailCVT program (aka the Email Import Wizard). This application lets you import messages from several email clients into KMail.

FilePrint Preview...

Shows how your email will appear when printed.

Note

This will only be enabled if a printer has been configured, is online, and is available for use.

 

FilePrint... (Ctrl+P)

Displays a dialog that lets you print the currently displayed message.

FileExpire All Folders

Deletes old messages from all folders. Deletion will occur according to the rules in each folder's Properties dialog (the default is not to delete old messages at all).

FileEmpty All Trash Folders

Use this item to empty all trash folders, i.e., the local trash folder and all trash folders that may exist on IMAP servers. Messages in Trash will be permanently deleted, and cannot be retrieved.

FileWork Offline

Sets KMail to offline mode. This turns off all network jobs. This is useful when working without a network connection. When selected, this item will become FileWork Online, which must be selected to go back online (required to send and receive email).

FileCheck Mail (Ctrl+L)

Checks for new messages in all your accounts.

FileCheck Mail In >

Checks for new messages from a particular account; your accounts will be listed in a submenu.

FileSend Queued Messages

Sends the messages that are in your outbox. Messages can end up in your outbox because of transmission errors, or because you composed and attempted to send a message while offline. If there are no messages in your outbox, this menu item will be grayed out.

FileSend Queued Messages Via >

Sends the messages that are in your outbox via a specific outgoing account. This allows you to choose which server to use to send your queued messages. Servers must be configured in the Configure KMail dialog, under the Accounts+Sending tab, to be listed here. If there are no messages in the outbox folder, this menu item will be grayed out.

FileDelayed Messages...

Starts the Akonadi Send Later Agent dialog. Any messages queued for later delivery by the composer's MessageSend Later option will appear in this dialog box. You can modify and / or delete them. Note that delayed messages are stored in the drafts folder, not in the outbox folder.

FileFollowup Reminder Messages...

Starts the Akonadi Followup Reminder Agent dialog. Any followup reminder messages ("todos") created via the composer's OptionsCreate Followup Reminder... function will appear in this dialog box. You can delete those messages with the right mouse button context menu.

FileQuit (Ctrl+Q)

Exits KMail.

 

Edit Menu

The Edit Menu

The Edit Menu

 

If the menu item you are looking for is missing, please see Edit Menu in KDE Fundamentals. The items listed here are KMail specific.

EditCopy Folder (Ctrl+Shift+C)

Creates an "Akonadi" pointer to the entire contents of the currently selected folder, and copies that pointer to the clipboard. A subsequent paste operation in a text editor will simply paste the pointer text. A subsequent paste operation in a KMail folder (or in the Dolphin file manager) will create a second copy of the folder and its contents.

EditCut Folder (Ctrl+X)

Creates an "Akonadi" pointer to the currently selected folder, and copies that pointer to the clipboard. A subsequent "paste" operation in a text editor or in Dolphin will behave exactly like the preceding Copy Folder operation. A subsequent paste operation in KMail will move the folder and its contents to a different location (if pasted in some folder other than the originating folder).

EditCopy Message (Ctrl+Alt+C)

Creates an "Akonadi" pointer to the currently selected message(s), and copies that pointer to the clipboard. A subsequent paste operation in a text editor will simply paste the pointer text. A subsequent paste operation in a KMail folder (or in the Dolphin file manager) will create a copy of the message(s), headers and all.

EditCut Message (Ctrl+Alt+X)

Creates an "Akonadi" pointer to the currently selected message(s), and copies that pointer to the clipboard. A subsequent "paste" operation in a text editor or in Dolphin will behave exactly like the preceding Copy Message operation. A subsequent paste operation in KMail will either create a second copy of the message(s) (if pasted in the originating folder) or move the message(s) to a different folder (if pasted in some folder other than the originating folder).

EditPaste (CtrlV)

Pastes either the entire contents of a folder, or the contents of selected messages, depending on the operation that preceded the "paste". This operation cannot be used to paste selected text inside the reader window. If no copy / cut operation is pending, this option will be grayed out.

EditMove to Trash (Del)

Moves the selected messages to the trash folder. If the selected messages are already in the trash folder, they will be permanently deleted.

EditMove Thread to Trash (Ctrl+Del)

Moves the selected thread to the trash folder, e.g., a conversation in a mailing list.

EditFind in Message... (Ctrl+F)

Searches the current message text for a string entered in the Find: textbox.

EditSelect All Messages (Ctrl+A)

Selects all messages in the current folder.

EditSelect All Text (Ctrl+T)

Selects the text of the currently displayed message.

 

View Menu

The View Menu

The View Menu

 

ViewMessage List >

This submenu has the following options to change the appearance of the message list.

Sorting >

Contains options to customize your sort order as follows:

  • Message Sort Order has several options, most of which are self-explanatory. The following options may not be immediately obvious, and deserve an explanation.

    • By Smart Sender/Receiver will display the receiver when you are viewing the sent-mail folder, and will display the sender when you are viewing the inbox.

    • By Action Item Status and By Important Status. These flags need to be set before they can be sorted. Please see Mark Messages for more information on marking your messages.

  • Message Sort Direction and Group Sort Direction allow you to change the direction in which your messages/groups will be sorted, respectively. Note that the "Group" options are only available when messages are aggregated into groups.

  • Folder always Uses this Sort Order allows you to specify different sort settings for each folder.

Aggregation >

Lets you select an aggregation option. Please see the Message List Appearance tab (under SettingsConfigure KMail...) for more information on aggregation.

Theme >

Lets you select a theme. Please see the Message List Appearance tab (under SettingsConfigure KMail...) for more information on themes.

Create New Tab (Ctrl+Shift+O)

Creates a new tab on the tabbing toolbar. This tab will point to the folder you are viewing when the option is selected. If the tabbing toolbar is not yet visible, selecting this option will create it. The tabbing toolbar can be handy if you have many folders, but only a few of them are regularly accessed.

Activate Next Tab (Ctrl+PgDn)

Opens the folder associated with the next tab on the tabbing toolbar.

Activate Previous Tab (Ctrl+PgUp)

Opens the folder associated with the previous tab on the tabbing toolbar.

Move Tab Left

Reorders the tabs on the tabbing toolbar by shifting the active tab to the left. If that tab is already at the extreme left end, it will be moved to the right hand end position.

Move Tab Right

Reorders the tabs on the tabbing toolbar by shifting the active tab to the right. If that tab is already at the extreme right end, it will be moved to the left hand end position.

Close Tab (Ctrl+Shift+W)

Closes the currently selected tab.

 

ViewHeaders >

Selects your headers view. Please see Header Options for details on the available header views.

ViewAttachments >

Changes the way attachments appear in the Message Preview Pane (independent of the MIME Tree). Please see Attachment Options for details on viewing attachments.

ViewExpand Thread / Group (.)

This will display the thread of the current message, i.e., all messages that are replies to the current message.

ViewCollapse Thread / Group (,)

This will hide the thread of the current message, i.e., it will hide all messages that are replies to the current message.

ViewExpand All Threads (Ctrl+.)

Expands all threads in the current folder.

ViewCollapse All Threads (Ctrl+,)

Collapses all threads in the current folder.

ViewSave Display Format

This option is apparently supposed to save something somewhere, but it's not yet working correctly.

ViewRestore Display Format

This option is apparently supposed to restore whatever the preceding "Save" option is supposed to save, but it's not yet working correctly, either.

ViewDisable Emoticon

Select this option to stop KMail from transforming :-) into .

ViewUse Fixed Font (X)

Uses a fixed width (Monospace) font to display the messages in the current folder. The font to be used can be configured in the Fonts tab on the Appearance page of the KMail configuration dialog.

ViewSet Encoding >

Lets you choose the character encoding to be used in the Message Pane. The default, Auto, should work in almost every case.

ViewZoom >

This option lets you zoom in or out on every message displayed in the preview pane.

 

Go Menu

The Go Menu

The Go Menu

 

GoJump to Folder... (J)

Shows a dialog box with a list of all your folders. Click on the folder you wish to view, and that folder will be opened for display in the message preview pane.

GoNext Message (N)

Selects the next message in the message list. The keyboard shortcut Right also performs this function.

GoNext Unread Message (+)

Selects the next unread message in the message list. If there are no unread messages below the currently selected message, the behavior depends on the value of the When trying to find unread messages option.

GoPrevious Message (P)

Selects the previous message in the message list.

GoPrevious Unread Message ()

Selects the previous unread message in the message list. If there is no unread message above the currently selected message, then the behavior depends on the value of the When trying to find unread messages option.

GoNext Unread Folder (Alt++)

Jumps to the next folder with unread messages.

GoPrevious Unread Folder (Alt+)

Jumps to the previous folder with unread messages.

GoNext Unread Text (Space)

Scrolls down if you are not yet at the bottom of a message, otherwise jumps to the next unread message.

 

Folder Menu

The Folder Menu

The Folder Menu

 

Folder Properties

Opens the Folder Properties dialog that lets you modify the properties of the current folder.

FolderAdd Folder...

Prompts you for a name, then creates a new folder as a subfolder of the current folder. This is exactly like FileNewAdd Folder....

FolderMark All Messages as Read

Sets the status of all unread messages in the current folder to "read".

FolderMark All Messages as Read in This Folder and All its Subfolders

Sets the status of all unread messages in the current folder (and all its subfolders) to "read".

FolderUpdate Folder (F5)

Checks whether new mail has arrived in the currently selected folder.

Note

This option only works in IMAP folders.

 

FolderUpdate This Folder and All Its Subfolders (Ctrl+F5)

Checks whether new mail has arrived in the currently selected folder, or in any of its subfolders.

Note

This option only works in IMAP folders.

 

FolderMove All Messages to Trash

Moves all of the messages in the selected folder into the trash folder.

Note

This is only available if the currently selected folder is not a trash folder. If the currently selected folder is a trash folder, you will see Empty Trash, instead. Selecting that option will empty the trash by permanently deleting the messages in the trash folder.

 

FolderDelete Folder

Deletes the selected folder and all its contents. A warning message will be displayed. If the current folder is one of KMail's pre-defined folders (inbox, etc.), this menu item will be grayed out.

FolderArchive Folder...

Brings up a dialog so you can create an archive of the currently selected folder. Please see the FolderArchive Folder... section of "Using KMail" for details.

FolderRemove Duplicate Messages (Ctrl+*)

Searches the folder for duplicate messages and deletes them.

FolderRemove Duplicates in This Folder and All its Subfolder

Searches the folder, and its subfolders, for duplicate messages, then deletes the duplicates.

FolderApply Filters On Folder >

Applies selected filters (All, Spam, or Not Spam) to the currently selected folder. Please see the Filter dialog for more information on filters.

FolderApply Filters On Folder and All its Subfolders >

Applies selected filters (All, Spam, or Not Spam) to the currently selected folder, and to its subfolders. Please see the Filter dialog for more information on filters.

FolderMessage Default Format >

Here you may select one of three options: Prefer HTML to Plain Text, Prefer Plain Text to HTML, or Use Global Setting.

Warning

For security reasons, we recommend you only select Prefer HTML to Plain Text in folders which can never contain untrusted messages.

 

FolderLoad External References

If you have HTML messages enabled (see above), then you will also have the option to have images and other resources linked from the web downloaded automatically.

Warning

This option is only available if Prefer HTML to Plain Text has been selected. If you turn this option on, and later decide to change Message Default Format, be sure to clear this checkbox before making the switch. There is a bug in KMail -- if the checkbox on this item has not been cleared, and this option has been grayed out, results are unpredictable.

 

FolderMailing List Management...

This opens the mailing list management dialog. This option is only available if the current folder contains messages from a mailing list. Please see the Mailing List dialog for more information on mailing lists.

FolderAssign Shortcut...

This lets you assign a keyboard shortcut to the currently selected folder.

 

Message Menu

The Message Menu

The Message Menu

 

MessageNew Message... (Ctrl+N)

Opens the composer window so you can write a new message.

MessageNew Message to Mailing-List... (Ctrl+Shift+N)

Opens the composer window so you can write a new message. If the current folder holds a mailing list and has a posting address defined, that posting address will automatically be entered as the To: address when the composer window is opened. If the current folder does not contain a mailing list, this item will be grayed out.

MessageReply... (R)

Opens the composer window, inserts quoted text from the currently selected message, and sets the To: field to either the mailing-list address (if you reply to a mailing-list message), or to the preferred reply-to address of the sender. If you want to control which address is set in the To: field, you should use Reply Special. The sending identity will automatically be set to the identity to which this message was addressed.

MessageReply to All... (A)

Opens the composer window, inserts the quoted text of the currently selected message, and sets the To: field to either the mailing-list address (when replying to a mailing-list message), or to the preferred reply-to address of the sender. The Copy to (CC): field is filled with the addresses of all the other recipients of the currently selected message, excluding your own address. The sending identity will automatically be set to the identity to which this message was addressed.

 

MessageReply Special >Reply to Author... (Shift+A)

Opens the composer window, inserts the quoted text from the currently selected message, and sets the To: field to the preferred reply-to address of the sender. The sending identity will automatically be set to the identity to which this message was addressed.

MessageReply Special >Reply to Mailing-List... (L)

Opens the composer window, inserts the quoted text of the currently selected message, and sets the To: field to the mailing-list address. If you did not specify a mailing-list address for the currently selected folder and KMail cannot determine the posting address from the currently selected message, the To: field will be empty. The sending identity will automatically be set to the identity to which this message was addressed.

MessageReply Special >Reply Without Quote... (Shift+R)

Works just like Reply..., except that the text of the currently selected message is not quoted.

MessageReply Special >Reply With Custom Template

Works just like Reply... with an added option: you may select a custom template configured via Custom Templates.

MessageReply Special >Reply to All With Custom Template

Works just like Reply to All... with an added option: you may select a custom template configured via Custom Templates.

 

MessageForward >As Attachment (Shift+F)

Forwards the message to a new recipient. The message and its attachments will be attached to the new message. The original message headers will be included in the forwarded message.

MessageForward >Inline (F)

The message's text and some important header fields will be copied to the body of the new message, with text marking where the forwarded part begins. Attachments will be attached to the new message.

MessageForward >Redirect (E)

This works like "Forward", except that the message stays the same (even the From: field). The user who redirected the message is identified by special header fields (Redirect-From, Redirect-Date, Redirect-To, etc.).

MessageForward >With Custom Template

Works just like "Forward", but gives you the option to select a custom template configured via the composer custom templates tab in Custom Templates.

 

MessageSend Again...

Opens a composer window with the currently selected message so it can be sent again.

Note

This menu item is only available for messages which you have sent or, more precisely, for messages which have the sent status. If you wish to resend some other message, double-click its entry in the message list. Or view the message and use the T shortcut. You may also do this by adding an Edit as New button to the toolbar.

 

MessageMailing List Name: >

Offers several options for mailing list messages.

Note

The current working folder must be configured as a mailing list for this option to be available. Please see Folder Properties Mailing List to learn about setting up mailing lists.

 

The following options are available in mailing list folders:

  • Post New Message(email) will set the To: address to the address configured as "Post to List".

  • Request Help(email) will set the To: address to the address configured in "Post to List" and will place the word help in the Subject: field.

  • Subscribe to List(web) will point your default web browser to the "subscribe" web site of the configured mailing list.

  • Subscribe to List(email) will set the To: address to the mailing list subscription address, and place the word subscribe in the Subject: field.

  • Unsubscribe from List(web) will point your default web browser to the "unsubscribe" web site of the configured mailing list.

  • Unsubscribe from List(email) will set the To: address to the mailing list subscription address, and place the word unsubscribe in the Subject: field.

 

MessageCopy Message To >

Copies the selected message(s) to a specified folder. You may choose from recent folders, local folders, or a specific IMAP account folder.

MessageMove Message To >

The same as "Copy Message To", above, except this option will permanently move the selected message(s) to the chosen folder.

 

MessageMark Message >

Lets you change the status of the selected message to one of the following values:

StatusSymbolMeaning
Mark Message as Read (Ctrl+R)The message has been read.
Mark Message as Unread (Ctrl+U)The message has not been read yet.
Mark Message as ImportantThis status will not automatically be set by KMail. You can use it freely to mark messages that are in some way important to you.
Remove Important MarkRemoves a previously set important flag from the message.
Mark Message as Action ItemThis status will not automatically be set by KMail. Use this to mark messages that are action items; e.g., a to-do list.
Remove Action Item MarkRemoves a previously set action item mark from the message.

 

MessageMark Thread

Lets you change the status of all messages in a thread as follows:

StatusSymbolMeaning
Mark Thread as ReadThe entire thread has been read.
Mark Thread as UnreadThe thread has not been read yet.
Mark Thread as ImportantThis status will not automatically be set by KMail. You can use it freely to mark threads that are in some way important to you.
Remove Important Thread MarkRemoves a previously set "important" flag from the thread.
Mark Thread as Action ItemThis status will not automatically be set by KMail. Use this to mark threads that are action items (e.g., a to-do list).
Remove Action Item Thread MarkRemoves a previously set action item mark from the thread.
Watch ThreadSets the watched thread status, which lets you easily view threads you're interested in by selecting the Watched status in the drop down box found in the Quick Search Bar. (Click on the icon to display the filterable categories.)
Ignore ThreadAllows you to ignore entire threads.

 

MessageCreate Filter

Opens the Filter dialog with a new filter added. This new filter is based on fields in the current message, depending on the submenu item you select:

Filter on Subject...
Filter on From...
Filter on To...
Filter on Mailing-List...(currently selected message must be a mailing list for this to be available).
MessageApply Filter

Lets you Apply all Filters. If you have spam filtering set up via the Anti-Spam Wizard, the options Classify as Spam and Classify as NOT Spam will also be available here.

MessageView Source (V)

Shows the message and its complete headers in plain text format in a new window. This can help you figure out where a message really came from.

Note

You should be aware that it is easy to fake, or spoof, the From: header in a message. You can always find out which mail servers were used to send the message by examining the Received: lines in the message headers.

 

MessageShow Message Structure (Ctrl+Alt+D)

Displays the structure viewer, an area below the preview pane that lets you view each MIME component of a message separately. This item will only be present if the Expert Plugin has been activated.

 

Tools Menu

The Tools Menu

The Tools Menu

 

ToolsFind Messages... (S)

Opens a search window that lets you search for messages with certain characteristics, e.g., a certain subject. Please see Filter Criteria for details on search options.

Your search results will be displayed in the text area; you may either Open Search Folder to see a folder containing the messages that were located, or highlight the desired message and select Open Message. Additional actions are available via a context menu, which can be activated by clicking the right mouse button.

ToolsAddress Book

Starts KAddressBook, the KDE email address / personal contact information management program.

ToolsCertificate Manager

Starts Kleopatra, the KDE certificate manager.

ToolsEdit "Out of Office" Replies...

Launches the Configure "Out of Office" Replies dialog, which allows you to set up vacation notifications.

Note

Out of Office reply functionality relies on server-side filtering. To use it you must configure the Filtering tab (see options relevant to a Kolab server) of your IMAP account set-up.

 

ToolsFilter Log Viewer...

Opens the viewer window for the filter log; there you will find some options to control the logging of the filtering process. In the log you will find valuable information about the filter rules used, the result of evaluating those rules, and which filter actions were applied to a particular message.

ToolsImport from another Email Client...

Launches the Akonadi Import Wizard dialog, which assists in importing settings and email from a wide variety of email clients. Please see the Import Wizard documentation for details.

Note

Close KMail before importing data. The wizard may modify KMail's configuration file, and can cause unpredictable results if you attempt to import data while KMail is running.

 

ToolsImport/Export KMail Data...

Launches the PIM Data Exporter dialog, which assists in exporting your settings and email, or restoring them from a back up copy. Please see Pim Data Exporter for details.

ToolsLog Activities...

Starts the Activity Logger, which logs certain activities. This option is only available when the Log Activities plugin has been loaded. Primarily for developers.

ToolsAnti-Spam Wizard...

Launches the Anti-Spam Wizard, which can help you set up spam filtering. Please see Anti-Spam Wizard for details. This option is only available when the Antispam plugin has been loaded.

ToolsAnti-Virus Wizard...

Launches the Anti-Virus Wizard, which can help you set up anti-virus scanning. Please see Anti-Virus Wizard for details. This option is only available when the Antivirus plugin has been loaded.

 

Settings Menu

The Settings Menu

The Settings Menu

 

If the menu item you are looking for is missing, please see Settings Menu in KDE Fundamentals. The items listed here are KMail specific.

SettingsShow Quick Search bar (Ctrl+H)

Enables the Quick Search bar, which lets you quickly search for messages matching your criteria.

SettingsConfigure Filters...

Opens the Message Filters dialog.

SettingsManage Sieve Scripts...

If your mail server supports sieves (server side filtering), you may configure those scripts here.

SettingsAdd Account...

Starts the Account Wizard dialog, which assists in setting up new or additional accounts. Please see Account Wizard for details.

SettingsConfigure Automatic Archiving...

Initiates a dialog to set up automatic archiving. See Automatic Archiving for details.

SettingsConfigure KMail...

Opens the Configure KMail dialog. There are hundreds of variables to play with. Have fun!

 

Help Menu

The Help Menu

The Help Menu

 

This is the Help Menu of the KDE Fundamentals, with one additional item.

HelpKMail Introduction

Opens the Introduction welcome screen.