How to Convert EML to TXT? – Verified Solutions

Emails are the perfect communication medium for professional purposes and occasionally for personal conversions. Many email users sometimes require the raw email text content without the detailed formatting and even the email attachments. That’s where the necessity to convert EML to TXT comes in. We will explore the solutions for data conversion and the reasons behind it.

EML and TXT File Formats: An Introduction

An EML data file saves emails and other associated data – metadata and attachments – in a single file in plain text. Email clients like Microsoft Outlook, Mozilla Thunderbird, and Apple Mail use this format for saving individual emails on the computer. Moreover, it retains email formatting, inline images and videos for offline access.

On the other hand, a TXT (or Text) file saves emails with the text content without any formatting. You can edit and open a TXT file in any text editor like Microsoft Notepad and Apple TextEdit or word processors like Microsoft Word.

Reasons for EML Email Conversion to TXT Format

There are several reasons for converting EML data files to the TXT format, and this section mentions some of them:

• Compatibility: The first reason to convert EML to TXT relates to email content compatibility. Since TXT files are viewable with a text editor or a word processor on any device, they ensure uniform formatting-free content accessibility without email client dependence of the EML format.
• Reduced File Space: TXT files are comparatively lower-sized than EML files due to no email formatting, attachments, or other inline media. Hence, email users can read and share their EML data without size restrictions.
• Email Archiving and Backup: Another reason for EML email conversion to TXT format is email archiving and backup. As mentioned in the previous point, TXT files are comparatively lower-sized than EML files, which makes them easy to backup and save space on computers. Moreover, they are a preferred format for email archival due to their simplicity and easy processing, besides quick searching and indexing.

These reasons necessitate EML data transfer to the TXT format, and the following section explores the solutions.

Read More: Convert EML to MHT – Quick Explanation

How to Convert EML to TXT? – Detailed Solutions

We will explore the solutions to transfer EML email file to TXT. We will start with the manual methods and then discuss one professional solution.

Manual Data Conversion Method

The manual method for EML email conversion to TXT format involves three workarounds – one is the direct approach to open an EML file in a text editor and save it in TXT format, and others involve the Mozilla Thunderbird app. Since these workarounds are technical, pay attention to them carefully.

Workaround 1: Using a Text Editor to Open and Save EML File
This method to convert EML to TXT involves a text editor to open the EML file and save it in TXT format. We will mention the steps involving Microsoft Notepad as the text editor here.

1. Open the EML file folder on your computer.
2. Select one EML file and right-click on it.
3. Then, select the Open With option and choose Notepad.
4. The Notepad app will open your EML email data.
5. Use the Ctrl+Shift+S key combination and Save it in TXT (text) format.
6. Replicate the same steps with other EML files.

Workaround 2: Mozilla Thunderbird’s “Save As” Feature
The second workaround for EML email conversion to TXT format involves using the “Save As” feature of the Mozilla Thunderbird app. You must install the Thunderbird app and configure an email account to use this workaround.

The following points mention the entire file conversion process:

1. Open the EML file folder and select an EML file.
2. Right-click on it and choose Thunderbird from the Open With menu.
3. Click the More dropdown menu on the extreme top right and click on Save As.
4. Alternatively, click the Ctrl+S keyboard keys.
5. Select “Text Files” from the Save As Type menu and click Save to convert EML to TXT.
6. Repeat this process with other EML files.

Workaround 3: ImportExportToolsNG add-in
This process for EML email conversion to TXT format involves the ImportExportToolsNG add-in of the Thunderbird app. As mentioned at the beginning, Thunderbird saves emails in EML format, so this method is more convenient than the previous two.

Follow these steps to convert your EML data files to TXT using this add-in:

1. Open the Thunderbird app and install the ImportExportToolsNG add-in.
2. Select the folder with the EML files and right-click on it.
3. Then, go to the ImportExportToolsNG menu and select Export All Messages in Folder.
4. Select the Plain Text Format option and select the preferred data export option.
5. Now, choose a desired location and click the Select Folder button to save your EML files in TXT format.

These workarounds to convert EML to TXT look easy and many EML file users will use any of them for email conversion to TXT. However, they have certain limitations, as mentioned in the next section.

Shortcomings of the Manual Workarounds

• The first two workarounds for EML email conversion to TXT format are time-consuming due to the steps involved and repeated individual file conversion.
• The first workaround isn’t suitable for the EML file conversion due to the complex coding and irregular formatting.
• The third workaround may work slowly due to the number of EML files involved in the data conversion process.
• All these workarounds carry a possible risk of data loss due to factors like slow computer performance, sudden shutdown, and Thunderbird app freezing.

Now that we have understood the drawbacks of manual solutions, let’s explore the best method to convert EML to TXT in the next section.

Professional Solution for EML Email File Export to TXT

Since the manual workarounds fail to convert the EML email file to the TXT format, we will discuss the best solution for EML email conversion to TXT format – automated software. The SysTools EML Converter Tool is the best software to save EML data files in TXT format with intact formatting and metadata. EML file users can convert limited files using the Export Selected feature. Moreover, the software has features like Date Filter and Naming Convention for date-based email conversion, with naming options like Subject and Subject + Date.

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Software Working Guide for EML File Conversion

1. Install the tool, run it, and begin the data conversion process.
   
2. Pick the EML file folder from the left-side preview panel.
   
3. Begin the process to convert EML to TXT using the Export button.
   
4. Select TXT as the resultant format.
   
5. Use Date Filter and Naming Convention under Advanced Settings.
   
6. Then, click the Browse button to select your preferred destination.
   
7. Finally, click Export for EML email conversion to TXT format.
   
8. Save the Export Process report in CSV format using the Save button.
   
9. View the converted TXT files in the selected folder.
   

Conclusion

This blog explored the solutions to convert EML to TXT as well as the reasons for data conversion. The reasons mentioned here justify the urgent EML data conversion to TXT (or text) format, and the solutions described here highlight the processes for email export. The manual workarounds look easy, and many EML file users will use any of them for email conversion to TXT. However, the limitations listed here restrict their usage.

Hence, the automated software mentioned here becomes the perfect solution for EML data conversion to TXT with intact email formatting and no data loss. Moreover, features like Date Filter and Naming Convention help users with date-based email conversion, with naming options like Subject and Subject + Date, etc.