How to Convert MBOX to HTML? – Top Solutions

MBOX (short for Mailbox) is an email data format that lists all messages in a single file. This data file finds usage with email clients like Mozilla Thunderbird as well as textual content editors like Microsoft Notepad. Many email users with their entire email data stored in the MBOX file search frantically for methods to convert their mailbox data to a readable format like HTML. If you are also looking for solutions to convert MBOX to HTML, then your search ends here! We will explore the best methods for MBOX data export to HTML and the reasons for the data conversion.

Reasons for MBOX Email Data Conversion to HTML

There are many reasons for email users to migrate their MBOX file data to HTML, and the following points describe some of them:

• Easy Content Access: Since MBOX files require continuous access to an email client, many email users switch to the HTML format for its simple formatting and web browser accessibility. People can view emails on their computer’s web browser without requiring any email client installation. Moreover, people can access their HTML files on operating systems like macOS, Windows, Android, etc, without any platform restriction.
• Data Compliance: The second reason to convert MBOX to HTML relates to data submission for legal cases. Since MBOX files require too much hard work and technology for legal compliance, many email users switch to the HTML format. You can easily convert HTML files to a file format like PDF and then print the email data for legal correspondence, thus ensuring the upkeeping of the records in a readable and printable format.
• Smooth Data Sharing: Another reason for MBOX data export to HTML is email sharing. Users can share their emails in HTML format through email and other mediums like cloud storage. Moreover, the recipient doesn’t require any email client to access the HTML file data, making HTML the preferred file format for email conversion. Another benefit of having your MBOX email data converted to HTML is the consistency in the content across various browsers and devices, which the MBOX file fails to provide.
• Email Data Archival and Backup: Many email users opt for MBOX email data conversion to HTML due to content archival and backup. HTML files are the best medium for long-term email storage and archival since they are independent of any email client or a possible archaic format. Moreover, they occupy minimal space on computers or mobile devices and benefit people with effective content searching and indexing.

Now that we have read the reasons for MBOX data export to HTML, we will move on to the solutions for the data conversion in the following section.

Read More: Save Emails From Gmail to Computer – Simple & Easy Way

How to Convert MBOX to HTML? – Efficient Solutions

We will now explore the solutions for the MBOX to HTML data conversion in this section. We will discuss manual and professional methods for data export, starting with the manual method.

Manual Method to Export MBOX File to HTML

The process to manually convert the MBOX data file to HTML involves two approaches, both of which keep the Mozilla Thunderbird desktop application in the centre of the entire data migration exercise.

Workaround 1: ImportExportTools NG Add-in

This add-in works to import and export email folders, and profiles, and import email files. We will use this add-in to convert MBOX to HTML. You have to configure the MBOX file beforehand to ensure no issues arise during the data conversion process.

The following points mention the steps for MBOX to HTML email data export:

1. Open the Thunderbird app and configure your email account.
2. Install the ImportExportTools NG add-in or skip this step if it is already installed.
3. Add the MBOX file to your configured email account.
4. Select the MBOX file, right-click on it, and select the ImportExportTools NG menu from the options list.
5. Click on the Export All Messages in Folder option and select the HTML Format menu.
6. Now, select your preferred data export option from the following: Messages and HTML Index/Messages with Attachments and Index/Messages and Index with Subfolders/Messages, Index and Attachments with Subfolders.
7. Select your preferred location to save the resultant HTML files, and click the Select Folder button to save the MBOX emails to HTML.
8. Open the computer folder you selected to view the HTML files.

Workaround 2: Direct File Conversion

This approach to convert MBOX to HTML is all about directly saving all MBOX emails to the HTML format. This approach saves more time compared to the previous workaround. The following points mention the steps to save MBOX data to HTML:

1. Open the Thunderbird application and navigate to the MBOX file folder.
2. Select an email and use the Ctrl + S keyboard keys, or right-click on it and select the Save As option.
3. Now, select your preferred location, and click the Save button to save the individual email.
4. Repeat the same steps for the entire folder and use the Ctrl + A keys for the Select All function.
5. The Save As option gets replaced with Select Folder option; rest assured, all the steps stay the same.

These approaches to MBOX data export to HTML prove easy for the data conversion process but pose many limitations.

Drawbacks of the Manual Method

• These approaches/workarounds take time for MBOX email data conversion to HTML according to the size of your MBOX file.
• The lack of data structure intactness during the conversion process makes these methods highly avoidable.
• The first workaround to convert MBOX to HTML requires installation of the Thunderbird app and the ImportExportTools NG add-in for the email data conversion.
• Continuing the previous point, you must have extensive technical knowledge to perform that method.
• Most importantly, you have to use either workaround for every MBOX file separately, meaning there is no bulk conversion option here.

These drawbacks restrict the use of the manual method for MBOX to HTML email data export. We will now explore the perfect solution for data conversion in the next section.

Read More: How to Convert MBOX to PDF? – Verified Methods

Professional Method for MBOX Data Export to HTML

Due to the limitations posed by the manual workarounds for MBOX email data conversion to HTML, we will discuss the excellent data export solution here – automated software. The software we mention here expertly converts your MBOX file emails and other data to the HTML format with an intact folder structure and no data loss. This tool is SysTools MBOX Converter Software. This tool converts multiple MBOX data files to HTML without any limitations, thanks to its Bulk conversion feature. Moreover, it supports all versions of Windows OS and Windows Server for seamless data conversion.

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How to Use the Software for MBOX to HTML Data Conversion?

1. Download and start the software on your computer.
   
2. Now, click Add File to add one or multiple MBOX files.
   
3. Next, select Default Profile Configured or Select File(s)/Folder from the File System option.
   
4. View the folder hierarchy of the added MBOX file(s) in the preview panel on the left side.
   
5. Click the Export or Export Selected button to convert MBOX to HTML entirely or selectively.
   
6. Next, select all or selective MBOX file folders from the Folder List panel for the export process.
   
7. Choose HTML as the export file format from the Select Export Type list.
   
8. Then, use the Naming Convention and Date Filter options under the Advanced Settings menu.
   
9. Select a location of your liking for the resultant HTML file(s) using the Browse button.
   
10. Next, check the Maintain Folder Hierarchy box to ensure intact folder structure during the export process.
    
11. At last, click Export to begin the MBOX data export to HTML.
    
12. Go to the destination folder to view the resultant HTML files.
    

Conclusion

We discussed the solutions and reasons to convert MBOX to HTML in this blog post. The reasons mentioned here highlight the importance of MBOX email data conversion to HTML. The two manual workarounds look easy for data conversion, but their limitations restrict their usage. Hence, the automated software described here presents itself as an excellent choice for a safe and secure MBOX to HTML data export process without data loss.