How to Convert EML to MBOX? – Explained Here!
Email management is crucial for managing and migrating a vast email collection to other file formats. Many email users use EML and MBOX file formats for email accessibility. Now, certain situations call for an immediate process to convert EML to MBOX. If you are searching for solutions to convert your EML email files to the MBOX format, this blog post explores the best data conversion methods and the reasons behind them.
EML vs MBOX Email Files: Brief Description
EML: An EML (or Electronic Mail) is an email file that saves emails individually in plain textual format. This format, developed by Microsoft and used by email clients like Outlook, Apple Mail, and Mozilla Thunderbird, also saves attachments and email metadata (sender, date, time, and receiver) in a single file.
MBOX: This email file format accumulates all emails in a single file in a listed manner, easily accessible on text editors like Microsoft Notepad. Email clients like Mozilla Thunderbird and Apple Mail use this format for email migration and archival.
Factors Behind EML Email File Conversion to MBOX
Many reasons coerce EML users to convert their email data to the MBOX format, and we will mention some of them here:
- Email Backup and Archiving: The first reason to convert EML to MBOX is email backup and archiving. Since the EML file saves emails individually, it becomes impossible to save them collectively for legal compliance or backup purposes. That’s where the single file backup facility of the MBOX file comes in. MBOX files store multiple emails without limitations in a single file, which makes email backup more convenient for long-term data archival.
- Email Consolidation: Another reason to transfer EML data file to MBOX is email merger. Since EML files individually save emails on your computer, there is no chance for you to consolidate them under a single file. On the contrary, the MBOX file consolidates all emails under one file for easy data management and efficient archival and backup.
- Storage Management: Many EML users wish to convert their emails to the MBOX format to save storage space on their computers. Since MBOX files consolidate all emails under a single file, there is a significant storage space reduction compared to multiple EML files. Hence, it becomes another factor for EML email file conversion to MBOX.
These reasons explain the necessity to convert EML data files to MBOX format, and the following section explores the solutions for the same.
Solutions to Convert EML to MBOX
We have read the basics of EML and MBOX files besides the reasons to transfer EML data file to MBOX so far. Now, we will explore the solutions for data conversion in this section, starting with a manual process. Also, we will mention a professional method for email data conversion. Let’s begin!
Manual Email Data Transfer
This method involves the Mozilla Thunderbird application for straightforward EML email file conversion to MBOX. Follow these steps to migrate your EML emails to the MBOX format using this method:
Part 1: Add the EML Files
- Install the Thunderbird app and configure your email account.
- Now, create a new folder and name it “EML files.”
- Install the ImportExportToolsNG add-in and restart the app.
- Go to the folder, right-click on it, and select ImportExportToolsNG.
- Next, select the Import EML Messages dropdown menu.
- Click the Individual EML Messages option and add the EML files.
Part 2: Transfer EML Data File to MBOX Format
- Right-click on the EML folder and select the ImportExportToolsNG option.
- Now, go to the Folder Export (MBOX) option and select “As MBOX File.”
- Open the Downloads folder to view the MBOX file.
This method looks easy to convert EML to MBOX, but poses certain limitations. The first is the time taken for the data conversion due to the steps involved. Another drawback is possible app crashes or data loss during the conversion process because of the quantity of EML files involved in MBOX conversion. Moreover, it is a technical process due to the addition of the ImportExportToolsNG add-in and being a desktop-only method limits its usage with users who prefer web-based email clients.
Transfer EML Data File to MBOX with Professional Solution
Now that the manual solution for EML email file conversion to MBOX finds minimum usage due to the limitations mentioned above, we will explore the best medium for data transfer: automated software. The SysTools EML Converter Tool is the best answer to convert EML to MBOX with intact email metadata and text content. This software is compatible with all Windows OS versions and provides selective email conversion facility with the Date Filter feature. EML users can even convert limited emails to MBOX using the Export Selected feature.
Steps for EML File Data Conversion with the Software
- Install the automated software on your Windows computer.
- Select the EML data folder from the preview panel.
- Click the Export button to transfer EML data file to MBOX.
- Alternatively, select emails from the list and click Export Selected.
- Select MBOX as the export format under the Select Export Type list.
- Click Advanced Settings and use the Date Filter for date-based conversion.
- Next, select a location for the resultant MBOX file using the Browse button.
- Finally, click Export to start the EML email file conversion to MBOX.
- Save the export report by clicking the Save button.
- View the converted MBOX file in the destination folder.
Conclusion
This blog explored the solutions to convert EML to MBOX, along with the reasons for doing so. The reasons mentioned here necessitate a swift and secure data conversion, and we discussed two methods for the same here. The manual solution involving the Thunderbird desktop application looks easy but the limitations limit its usage. Hence, the automated software becomes the perfect method to transfer EML data file to MBOX with intact email content and metadata.
