On my LISTSERV list, how can I modify the list header?

To modify the header of your LISTSERV list, you can use email to send a command to the LISTSERV server requesting a copy of the list header file. Modify the list header, and then email it back to the LISTSERV server. Your changes take effect immediately, as long as the new list header passes the edit checks and your password is correct.

At Indiana University, you can use the LISTSERV web interface to edit your LISTSERV list header manually at any time.

On this page:

• Using LISTSERV commands
• Using the IU LISTSERV web interface

Using LISTSERV commands

Note: For Indiana University LISTSERV mailing lists, send all commands to the appropriate address for your campus:

Never send commands to the address of the mailing list (e.g., to  listname@indiana.edu ). Send only messages intended for members of the list to the list's address.

To use email commands to modify the list header:

1. Request the list header by sending the following command in the body (not subject) of an email message addressed to the LISTSERV server: GET listname (HEADER

   Replace listname with the name of your list. LISTSERV will send you an email message that contains the list header information.

   Note: Issuing the GET command locks your list, which means that no one can subscribe to or unsubscribe from the list, and no other owner can use the GET command. Try not to keep the header locked longer than necessary. If you decide not to make header changes, you can unlock the header with this command:

   UNLOCK listname
2. Modify the list header; after sending the GET command to LISTSERV, you can use a text editor to modify the file. For more, see What information is stored in a LISTSERV list header file?
   
   
3. Send back the updated list header once you've finished modifying it, including the following line along with the revised header information in the body (not subject) of an email message addressed to the LISTSERV server: PUT listname LIST PW=XXXXXXXX

   Replace listname with the name of your list and XXXXXXXX with your LISTSERV personal password (see In LISTSERV, how do I set or change a personal password?). To make sure you don't forget to include this command, LISTSERV inserts it automatically at the top of the file that you retrieve with the GET command.

   Warning: Do not attempt to add subscribers by adding them to the bottom of a list header PUT operation. If you do this, and the list is not locked (e.g., you've done a GET with the NOLOCK option, or have unlocked the list manually prior to your PUT), LISTSERV will replace all of your existing subscribers with the new subscribers you've added at the bottom of your list header.

For more detailed information on LISTSERV owner commands, send the following command to LISTSERV:

You can also find a list of header keywords and other LISTSERV documentation in the L-Soft Documentation and Manuals.

Using the IU LISTSERV web interface

At IU, to edit the list header using the LISTSERV web interface:

1. For Indiana University LISTSERV lists, visit the menu for your campus:

   • IU Bloomington
   • IUPUI
   • IU Kokomo
   • IU Northwest
   • IU Southeast
   • IU South Bend

   Log in using your IU email address and LISTSERV password, and then from the List Management menu at the top, select List Dashboard. Under "List Name", click Configure under the name of the list you wish to edit. If you do not have a LISTSERV personal password, see In LISTSERV, how do I set or change a personal password?

2. From the List Configuration page, under "Complete List Header", click Edit Manually.
   
   
3. Edit the list header for your LISTSERV list. Click Submit to save your changes.

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