That method works so long as you remember to update the rule every time
you update your address book. And, of course, you won't see mail that
you would otherwise want to see if the sender is not already in your
address book.

---
Ted Zieglar
"Backup is a computer user's best friend."

Opinicus wrote:
"Bruce Hagen" wrote

Message Rule to allow only people in my Address Book.
ToolsOptionsMessage RulesMailNew.
Box 1 - Where the From line contains people {check it}
Box 2 - Delete from server {check it}
Box 3 - Click on the blue words Contains People
Left click on the top address and hold the mouse key down and
drag the cursor to the last address. This will highlight them all.
Right click on them and click on From in the menu that appears.
Now click Options and Choose: Message *does not contain* the
people below in the top Options box, and choose: Message matches any one
of the
people below in the bottom Options box.
OK your way out of the new rule.
Now, only addresses you entered will be downloaded. You will not
see any other e-mail.

I can't believe it's that simple! (But it is.)

It occurred to me that this could be a dangerous tool so instead of "delete
from the server" I'm going to use a modified version of the rule for a while
so I can see what it's doing. Eventually I'll probably change to "delete".
Here's the rule:

quote

Apply this rule after the message arrives

Where the From line does not contain {all the addresses in my address book
enclosed in single quotes and separated by commas}

Delete it

and Stop processing more rules
/quote

So far it's working brilliantly.

Thanks Bruce for showing us how to get all the addresses in the address book
into the rule in one step.