Export MBOX to HTML with Expert Methods
MBOX is an email mailbox file listing all the messages in a single text file. Text editors like Apple TextEdit and MS Notepad and email clients like Mozilla Thunderbird support this file format. Many email users wish to export their entire email collection to a readable format like HTML without requiring email client assistance. You’ve arrived at the right blog post if you are also looking for solutions to export MBOX to HTML. We will mention the best methods for the data export process besides the reasons for doing it, so read this blog till the end to know it all!
Reasons to Convert MBOX to HTML
There are many reasons to export MBOX file to HTML, and we will mention some of them in the following points:
a. Easy Accessibility: The first reason to move MBOX data to HTML is data accessibility. HTML files are compatible with all web browsers, whereas the MBOX files require the installation of a specific email client. This makes HTML files the preferred choice to access MBOX file data without relying on any email client.
b. Multi-platform compatibility: Another reason behind the data export is multi-platform compatibility for the HTML files. They can be viewed and edited on any platform (computers, mobiles, etc.) without operating system dependence. On the other hand, MBOX files require specific email clients for email access. Hence, HTML files become the ideal format for people using multiple computers or a mobile for professional work.
c. Offline Email Access: The third reason to export MBOX to HTML is offline content accessibility. You can read the entire HTML content on any web browser without mandatory email connectivity. In contrast, MBOX files require a continuous and consistent internet connection for email access. Thus, the HTML format becomes handy in situations where you don’t have internet connectivity.
d. Quick Data Sharing: Since the HTML files don’t require any special software to view the content, they have become the preferred choice for email users to share selective emails with others. Moreover, the advantage of being a simple and widely renowned format makes HTML the go-to file format for email data conversion.
e. Data Archival and Backup: The last reason to convert MBOX to HTML relates to data archival and backup. Since HTML files take up little space on a computer or mobile device, they have become the best medium to store HTML email data with efficient data search and indexing. Moreover, the portable nature of the HTML file makes it easily movable between multiple devices.
These reasons necessitate an urgent MBOX to HTML data export, and we will explore the perfect solutions in the following sections.
Read More: How to View Thunderbird Email Message in Browser?
How to Export MBOX to HTML? Best Solutions
Now that we have read the reasons to convert MBOX data to HTML, let’s understand the methods for the data conversion process. We will begin with a manual method, followed by a professional one.
Manually Export MBOX file to HTML
The manual method to convert your MBOX file data into HTML is using the Mozilla Thunderbird application. We will mention two workarounds with the Thunderbird app in the following sections.
#Workaround 1: Using ImportExportTools NG
This workaround involves the ImportExportTools NG add-in of the Thunderbird app for to export MBOX to HTML. You must configure your Gmail, Outlook/other email account to Thunderbird and add the MBOX file for the data conversion process.
The following steps mention the MBOX file conversion to HTML:
1. Open the Thunderbird app on your computer.
2. Right-click on the MBOX file, go to the ImportExportTools NG dropdown menu, and select the Export All Messages in Folder option.
3. Next, select the HTML format from the list and select the desired data export option from the following – Messages and HTML Index/Messages with Attachments and Index/Messages and Index with Subfolders/Messages, Attachments and Index with Subfolders.
4. Click OK and select the destination to save the resultant HTML file(s).
5. Open the destination folder to view the HTML file(s).
#Workaround 2: Direct File Conversion
This method involves saving individual emails in MBOX file to HTML, and the following steps mention the entire process:
1. Open the Thunderbird app and go to the MBOX file folder.
2. Right-click on an email and select the Save As option.
3. Next, choose HTML Files from the Save As Type dropdown menu and save the resultant file to your preferred destination.
4. Repeat the same process with other emails in the MBOX file.
Both workarounds make it easy to convert MBOX data to HTML but have many drawbacks. The first one is the time taken for the entire data export process due to the steps involved. Another limitation is the lack of data structure integrity during the conversion process. Moreover, there is a possibility of data loss, which makes them unattainable. But worry not! We will mention the perfect method for the data conversion process in the next section.
Professional Solution For MBOX to HTML Data Conversion
Since the manual workarounds to export MBOX to HTML are unusable due to their limitations, we will mention the best method for the data conversion process – automated software. The software we explore here has many features to help you convert your MBOX data file to HTML with complete data integrity. This software is the SysTools MBOX Converter Tool. This software helps you convert multiple MBOX files into HTML without any problems. One benefit of the software is it maintains the MBOX folder hierarchy during the data conversion process, giving you the converted emails in their original folder structure.
Another advantage of the software is the facility to add MBOX file(s) directly from the computer besides the option to add the configured Thunderbird profile for MBOX file conversion. The Date Filter helps you convert MBOX to HTML between two selective dates. This software works perfectly with Windows OS versions 7, 8, 8.1, 10 (32 and 64-bit), and 11 (64-bit), besides Windows Server editions 2008, 2012 R2 and 2016 to 2022.
Steps for Automated Data Conversion to HTML
1. Install the software on your computer and run it.
2. Click the Add File button to add the MBOX file(s).
3. Select the Default Profile Configured or Select File(s)/Folder from the File System option.
4. Next, click on the added file(s) in the preview panel to view the data hierarchy.
5. Select the emails you wish to convert into HTML format and click the Export Selected button.
6. Alternatively, click the Export button to export the entire MBOX file data without any email selection.
7. Check all or selective mailbox folders for the conversion process.
8. Now, select HTML as the resultant file format from the Select Export Type list.
9. Click on the Advanced Settings button and select the desired Naming Convention for the resultant file(s).
10. Next, click the Save button and select your preferred location using the Browse button.
11. Finally, export MBOX to HTML by clicking the Export button.
12. Open the destination folder to view the converted HTML files along with the attachments.
Note: Use the demo version to convert twenty-five items per MBOX file folder into the HTML format. Purchase the premium version to execute the full data file conversion into HTML.
Conclusion
MBOX and HTML are file formats used to create and store data in email clients and text editors, respectively. However, many email users have shifted to the HTML format in recent times. We discussed the reasons and solutions to export MBOX to HTML in this blog post.
The reasons mentioned here compel MBOX users to switch their entire email data to the HTML format. The manual workarounds to convert MBOX to HTML look easily executable, but pose many limitations, as mentioned in the blog. Hence, the automated software explored here becomes the perfect method for the MBOX to HTML data conversion process with complete data retention.