Commonly Used LISTSERV Commands

The following are some of the most-used commands for LISTSERV subscribers.
When using these commands always:

Send the command(s) in an email message addressed to: listserv@list.nih.gov
Substitute the name of the list for listname whenever it appears with a command.
Type the command(s) in the body of the message. (Never in the subject line.)
Use one line for each command, if you are sending more than one command in the message.
Note that not every list supports all of the list options (For example, not all lists allow a DIGEST setting.)

Command line		Action
SUBSCRIBE listname your name	»	subscribes you to the list specified
SIGNOFF listname	»	removes you from the specified list
SET listname NOMAIL SET listname MAIL	»	stops incoming mail from specified list resumes mail from the list
SET listname DIGEST SET listname NODIGEST	»	subscriber receives a digest of messages messages are delivered to you as they are posted
SET listname ACK SET listname NOACK	»	sends confirmation when you post to the list no confirmation message is sent when you post to the list
HELP	»	receive a list of LISTSERV® commands
INFO listname	»	receive information about a specific list
QUERY listname	»	receive your current subscription settings

Last reviewed: 16 June 2008
Last updated: 01 July 2002
First published: 01 July 2002
Metadata| Permanence level: Permanence Not Guaranteed