# AIXF: Per-Forum Maximum Message Length
This XenForo add-on allows you to configure different maximum message lengths per forum node.
It enforces limits when users create threads, post replies, or edit messages.
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## How it works
A global maximum is defined in ACP → Options → Messages → Maximum message length.
Each forum node has a field under Advanced options → Per-forum maximum message length.
When set to 0, the forum inherits the global maximum.
When set to a number greater than 0, that number overrides the global maximum for that forum.
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## Important setup notes
Do not set the global maximum to something extreme like 50,000 unless you want every forum to allow it.
Raising the global applies site-wide.
This can lead to performance and moderation issues.
The recommended baseline is 10,000 characters for most forums.
If you need one or more forums with a higher cap:
1. Set the global maximum to the high number you want (e.g., 50,000).
2. For every other forum, go to ACP → Forums → Nodes → Edit forum → Advanced options and set Per-forum maximum message length to a lower value (e.g., 10,000).
3. Leave the special forum(s) at 0 (inherit global) or explicitly set them to the higher value.
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## Example setup
Global maximum: 50,000
Special forum: leave at 0 (inherits 50,000)
All other forums: set per-forum maximum to 10,000
Result:
Special forum allows posts up to 50,000 characters.
All other forums are capped at 10,000 characters.
---
## Why not just raise global for everyone?
Large posts everywhere can impact database size, search indexing, and moderation workload.
Most forums do not need more than 10,000 characters.
Use per-forum overrides to keep posting reasonable while allowing long-form content where needed.
This XenForo add-on allows you to configure different maximum message lengths per forum node.
It enforces limits when users create threads, post replies, or edit messages.
---
## How it works
A global maximum is defined in ACP → Options → Messages → Maximum message length.
Each forum node has a field under Advanced options → Per-forum maximum message length.
When set to 0, the forum inherits the global maximum.
When set to a number greater than 0, that number overrides the global maximum for that forum.
---
## Important setup notes
Do not set the global maximum to something extreme like 50,000 unless you want every forum to allow it.
Raising the global applies site-wide.
This can lead to performance and moderation issues.
The recommended baseline is 10,000 characters for most forums.
If you need one or more forums with a higher cap:
1. Set the global maximum to the high number you want (e.g., 50,000).
2. For every other forum, go to ACP → Forums → Nodes → Edit forum → Advanced options and set Per-forum maximum message length to a lower value (e.g., 10,000).
3. Leave the special forum(s) at 0 (inherit global) or explicitly set them to the higher value.
---
## Example setup
Global maximum: 50,000
Special forum: leave at 0 (inherits 50,000)
All other forums: set per-forum maximum to 10,000
Result:
Special forum allows posts up to 50,000 characters.
All other forums are capped at 10,000 characters.
---
## Why not just raise global for everyone?
Large posts everywhere can impact database size, search indexing, and moderation workload.
Most forums do not need more than 10,000 characters.
Use per-forum overrides to keep posting reasonable while allowing long-form content where needed.
