How To Change Gmail Subject Line On Received Email
SYSTEM
Windows 7
Firefox 39.0
PROBLEM
Sometimes I receive an email with a subject line that is not meaningful. But I cannot find a way to modify it without sending a reply email to myself, or using a desktop client such as Microsoft Outlook.
QUESTION
How can I modify the subject text of a message sent to my Gmail account from within Gmail itself, and without having to send the message back to myself with the new subject text? Is there a way to edit the source code or headers of that message?
Windows 7
Firefox 39.0
PROBLEM
Sometimes I receive an email with a subject line that is not meaningful. But I cannot find a way to modify it without sending a reply email to myself, or using a desktop client such as Microsoft Outlook.
QUESTION
How can I modify the subject text of a message sent to my Gmail account from within Gmail itself, and without having to send the message back to myself with the new subject text? Is there a way to edit the source code or headers of that message?
Dave Baldwin
No email client should let you do that. Editing a received message would break the ability to trace it from the sender and enable people to spoof other people's emails. That would be a security nightmare.
You can't change the subject line of received mails, and I agree with the above. But in GMail you can organize your mails by moving them into folders or giving them labels so they would become logical to you.
ASKER
I am quite familiar with how to use Labels. If it turns out to be the only way, then I will create subject identification tags that apply to only one or two emails and put them under a Parent Label so as not to clutter the space. This is definitely not a good solution, and Google needs to allow us to make the changes we desire to the subject line. As for modifying the headers, I realize this is NOT the preferred way, but if it were possible, then it would suffice for my purposes.
To other experts: Has anyone resolved this elusive and popular issue?
To other experts: Has anyone resolved this elusive and popular issue?
WizeOwl,
I've checked Thunderbird, and it won't let you change the subject of a received mail, and my recollection of Outlook is that it won't either -- but don't quote me. Gmail's web mail won't even let you change the subject when you reply (e.g. Upcoming meeting changed to Meeting Tuesday (was 'Upcoming meeting') or some such).
I'm guessing that DaveBaldwin's comment is accurate; it's possible, I'm sure, to write some kind of script that would let you change the subject of a received mail, since the received ones are essentially text files (as far as the Subject is concerned), but I'm not sure it would be worth the effort. Better to just change the subject when you reply (unless, of course, you're using gmail.com).
The only alternative I can think of is to
1. Click Reply, and copy the text; then discard what is now a draft
2. Open a new message, paste the text, give it your new subject, insert the new recipients
3. Send.
Otherwise, you seem to be stuck with Labels.
Regards,
ep
I've checked Thunderbird, and it won't let you change the subject of a received mail, and my recollection of Outlook is that it won't either -- but don't quote me. Gmail's web mail won't even let you change the subject when you reply (e.g. Upcoming meeting changed to Meeting Tuesday (was 'Upcoming meeting') or some such).
I'm guessing that DaveBaldwin's comment is accurate; it's possible, I'm sure, to write some kind of script that would let you change the subject of a received mail, since the received ones are essentially text files (as far as the Subject is concerned), but I'm not sure it would be worth the effort. Better to just change the subject when you reply (unless, of course, you're using gmail.com).
The only alternative I can think of is to
1. Click Reply, and copy the text; then discard what is now a draft
2. Open a new message, paste the text, give it your new subject, insert the new recipients
3. Send.
Otherwise, you seem to be stuck with Labels.
Regards,
ep
He's using the web-client, the mail stays on the server that way and no text file comes to the PC, or if it does that is only temporary and one way. You can't edit any mails you look at through the web-client and that stay on the server.
If you wanted to edit anything, you'd have to use a mail client utility that downloads the mail to your PC and deletes it on the server, then you could edit the mails, and after that you could send the mails back to the server.
If you wanted to edit anything, you'd have to use a mail client utility that downloads the mail to your PC and deletes it on the server, then you could edit the mails, and after that you could send the mails back to the server.
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WizeOwl,
Yes, it's annoying... but given that it's Google's system, and they probably use a subject (in some fashion) to determine what advertising to show you, and give it to you at no charge... until Google decides to change things, it's likely to stay that way.
Oh... and they'll never respond as a company. You can't complain about Google's customer service, because there isn't any.
If there is a script that will allow me to edit the Subject field of email received in my Gmail Inbox from within Gmail itself (without fwd'ng or sending reply) it would be worth the effort.
Please pardon me; I misinterpreted in that I thought you were using an email client (like Outlook or Thunderbird) and not the online version. When I first saw this question, I did take the time to verify what Mr Baldwin had suggested -- there's no way using Gmail's web version to edit the subject, even if you are forwarding a message; I even had an occasion to speak with someone from Google over the weekend, and he called an engineer with the company to verify.Yes, it's annoying... but given that it's Google's system, and they probably use a subject (in some fashion) to determine what advertising to show you, and give it to you at no charge... until Google decides to change things, it's likely to stay that way.
Oh... and they'll never respond as a company. You can't complain about Google's customer service, because there isn't any.
ASKER
The workaround using Outlook (and perhaps other 3rd party email clients) and IMAP seems to be the best solution.