Nodebb: Feature request: merge topics

[chuegel]

Hi,

one of the most important moderation feature is the ability to merge topics. Are there any plans to introduce this feature?

[chuegel]

Any news on this?

[pitaj]

It's a good idea. I think its' been suggested before. A good idea to implement for the next major version.

[barisusakli]

How do you merge two topics? Do you just insert posts from topic A to the end of topic B or do you insert them while respecting timestamps? In either case I don't think the new topic will make sense.

[pauljherring]

Do you just insert posts from topic A to the end of topic B or do you insert them while respecting timestamps?

What happens when you move an individual post? By extension, what would happen if all posts from A were individually moved over to B?

Personally I'd offer both as options since either could make sense depending on circumstance

In either case I don't think the new topic will make sense.

• This new thread A is simply a continuation of that old topic B - merge them. - stick them on the end (though preserve timestamps would have much the same effect)
• These two threads A and B started around the same time - they're talking about the same thing - merge them - preserve timestamps.

Though given the parenthetical on the first, thinking about it, I can't confect an example where 'stick on the end' would make sense where you wouldn't preserve timestamps.

So I'd insert while preserving timestamps (which is an extrapolation of moving a single post as noted above) if not offering an option.

[barisusakli]

What happens when you move an individual post?

It gets inserted using the timestamp of the post.

[pauljherring]

Sorry Bariş, that was intended to be a rhetorical question...

[Deph0]

Could we please have this feature? It's a really essential thing to have in a forum software.
~Deas

[pitaj]

What should be done about the main post of the topic you are merging in? Should it just be copied over directly as if it were a normal post, or should the original title be added to the post's body?

[julianlam]

As I understand it, it would depend on whether topic A or B is older, to determine which post to act as OP (and therefore preserve title).

If you are merging _B_ into _A_ but B is the older topic, then it should really be _A_ merging into _B_, behind the scenes.

[michaelpfaff]

Very much agree this is a needed feature. Especially, since I just forked a topic and then realized it was the wrong topic but couldn't merge it back into the old topic. 👍

[irlcatgirl]

+1

[sp-Carlos-Escura]

+1

[dangerusslee]

My users are asking for this feature as well. What is the hold up to getting it done? Are we still collecting comments, or is it just the time to sit down and do it?

[jimmykane]

Still?

[jimmykane]

Woop woop!

[TobiTenno]

so is this a thing now?

[julianlam]

😎 Yes.

[TobiTenno]

will it be up in 1.7.1/2? nvm, i see the milestone