Limiting The Attachment Window Size in Thunderbird

Chris Ilias 8 Comments

[for Mozilla Thunderbird users]
Ever get an email message in Thunderbird, with so many files attached, the attachment pane takes over the message viewing area? In Mozilla Thunderbird, you can set a limit to the height of the attachments pane.

Open a text editor, such as Notepad, and paste this text:
#attachmentList {max-height: 4em !important;}

Save the file as userChrome.css (not userChrome.css.txt), and put it the \chrome\ folder of your Thunderbird profile folder.

However, there is one caveat. If you do receive a message with so many attachments, that the height limit is exceeded, there will not be a scrollbar for you to browse through the rest. You can use the menu File–>Attachments to see the full list.

UPDATE: Try the script in comment #1 first.

8 Responses

  1. Anonymous February 10, 2006 / 7:47 am

    Caveat solved! If you use this definition you’ll get scrollbars to the right. Attach away.

    /* Attachment pane at bottom of message window */
    #attachmentView {
    -moz-appearance: none !important;
    height: 40px !important;
    overflow: auto !important; }

  2. Pete, M0WTF November 29, 2006 / 5:02 am

    Thanks a lot guys! It’s working great, you’ve cured my big pain in the neck 😉
    By the way – if you want to see maximum of 3 rows of attachments, use 74px.

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  4. Rob Crombie August 29, 2007 / 8:57 am

    I recently allowed the update to latest version of TB.
    Suddenly my attachment window (bottom of email that I am reading) was larger (1 inch instead 1/4 inch)
    The above suggestions did not help.
    I then used TB’s Options menu, Advanced Tab, then the Configure/Edit button
    Use top box to filter for ‘attachment’
    This is the line you are interested in –
    mailnews.attachments.display.largeView
    Right click the True value, and choose Toggle.
    Close and save, and then remember me in your will

  5. funkkbebel September 2, 2008 / 3:39 pm

    Thank you so much Rob !
    It works great.

    My problem was that i choosed the big icons option (in windows effects tab when you right click propreties on the desktop…) then TB will display big attachement icons !

    With your tip, my problem is fixed.
    Thanks again.

  6. umut October 13, 2008 / 11:36 am

    hi chris . ı have a problem.I want a template for e-mails cause I will send lots of e-mails for my business.how can ı make my own template for my company on TB.I m new user.thanks for your help

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  8. Radalv August 3, 2009 / 10:39 pm

    Hello, i have tried this.
    First I had to create the chrome folder, and then put the file on this folder.

    Then when I restart TB, it behaves as if I had done nothing.

    What I am doing wrong?

    Thanks for your help

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