Many commands, at Top Level (MM> prompt), can take a message sequence to describe what messages to act on. Most default to current if you do not specify a message sequence. The following commands take message sequences: answer, browse, copy, count, delete, edit, flag, headers, jump, keyword, list, literal, mark, move, print, read, remail, reply, review, spell, type, unanswer, undelete, unflag, unkeyword, unmark.
| n | message number n |
| n:m | messages numbered n to m inclusive |
| n-m | messages numbered n to m inclusive |
| n,m | messages numbered n and m only |
| n+m | m messages starting with message number n |
| . | the current message: the message most recently read, or otherwise acted on |
| * | the last message |
| after date | messages after a specified date or day |
| all | all messages starting with the oldest |
| answered | messages marked as answered (A), meaning you sent a reply |
| before date | messages before a specified date or day |
| current | the message most recently read, or otherwise acted on |
| deleted | messages marked as deleted (D), meaning you deleted them |
| flagged | messages marked as flagged (F), meaning you used the flag command |
| from string | messages from a specified user name or userid |
| inverse | all messages starting with the most recent |
| keyword string | messages with a specified keyword |
| last | the last message |
| last number | the last number messages |
| longer number | messages containing at least number characters |
| new | messages marked as new (N), meaning both recent and unseen |
| on date | messages on a specified date or day |
| previous-sequence | the last message sequence used |
| recent | messages marked as recent (R), meaning arrived during the current session |
| seen | messages considered seen, meaning you read them or used the mark command |
| shorter number | messages containing less than number characters |
| since date | messages on or after a certain date or day |
| subject string | messages with certain wording in the subject field |
| text string | messages with certain wording in the text |
| to name | messages to a specified user name or user id (to or cc) |
| unanswered | messages not marked as answered (A) |
| undeleted | messages not marked as deleted (D) |
| unflagged | messages not marked as flagged (F) |
| unkeyword string | messages not containing a specified keyword |
| unseen | messages marked as unseen (U), meaning you never read them |
date: Either a calendar date, or a day of the week. A calendar date can be written in many forms: June 18 1992; June 18, 1992; 18 June 1992; 18-jun-92; 6/18/1992; 6/18/92. A day of the week always refers to today and the last six days. A time can be added after the date or day, written in a format like 9am or 9:00am, without periods or spaces.
name: Any part of an address field: the user name, user id, host name, and so on. Put the name inside double quote marks (") if it includes blank space.
string: Any string of characters. Put the string inside double quote marks (") if it contains blank space (strings containing certain punctuation marks like / also require quotes).
Message-sequences can be combined, like from howie since tues, or before august 6 1992 subject meeting, or recent from sue, or 30:*, or even 1:40 text "basic mail" from maur.
Abbreviate message sequences to one or two letters.
Use previous-sequence, abbreviating to p, to avoid retyping the same message sequence you just used.
Use command history (control-p) to avoid retyping a message sequence you used earlier in the session. You can use command history and then command line editing to give a command similar to one you used earlier.
Message sequences cannot be used in Read or Send Modes.
In Read Mode, commands apply to the current message, which is the one you just read, unless you use the jump command to make a different message current.
In Send Mode, commands apply either to the current message, or to the outgoing message you just wrote, depending on the command. Be careful. For example, copy, list and print refer to the current message and not the outgoing message; save-draft does refer to the outgoing message.