How to Convert An EML File to Text(.txt) Format? – Guide 2025

EML files are commonly used to store email messages in a standard format, capturing the content, metadata, and attachments of the email. While EML files are excellent for preserving the original structure of emails, there are situations where converting them to a plain text (.txt) format is more practical. This conversion can make the email content easier to read, archive, or share without relying on specific email client software.

In this blog, we will explore the steps to convert EML to text format using various methods, such as manual conversion and specialized software like EML Converter. Whether you’re dealing with a single email or a batch of files, this blog will provide a clear and efficient approach to meet your needs.

Benefits of Converting EML Files to TXT Format

Converting EML files to TXT format can be beneficial for several practical reasons. Below are some of the basic reasons why this conversion might be necessary:

1. TXT files are suitable for long-term archiving since they don’t rely on proprietary email formats.
2. EML files may contain active links or malicious scripts. Converting to TXT eliminates these risks by preserving only the plain text.
3. If you only need the textual part of an email (e.g., for documentation or record-keeping), TXT format simplifies the process by excluding attachments and formatting.
4. They can be transferred easily across systems due to their compact size and universal readability.

By converting EML to TXT, users can ensure better accessibility, compatibility, and security for their email content.

Verified Methods to Convert EML Files to TXT Format

When it comes to converting EML files to TXT format, several reliable methods and tools are available to ensure a seamless and efficient conversion process. Here are some verified and reliable methods to convert EML files to Text format efficiently:

Solution 01: Convert EML to Text with Thunderbird

Mozilla Thunderbird is a free and open-source email client. It provides a straightforward way to convert EML files to TXT format. Follow these steps to perform the conversion:

• Download and install Mozilla Thunderbird from the official website if it’s not already installed on your system.
• Open Thunderbird and create a new folder to organize the imported EML files.
• Drag and drop the EML files into this folder or use an extension like “ImportExportTools NG” to import them.
• Open the folder containing the imported EML files and select the email you wish to convert.
• Right-click the selected email and choose “Save As” from the context menu.
• In the Save dialog box, select a location, ensure the file type is set to Plain Text (.txt), and click Save.
• To convert multiple emails simultaneously, select all the emails in the folder, right-click, and choose “Save As”.
• Specify a folder to save the emails in TXT format, and Thunderbird will process them in bulk.

Note: This method is ideal for small-scale conversions and does not require additional tools.

Solution 02: Use Notepad to Convert EML to Plain Text

Converting EML files to plain text using Notepad is a quick and straightforward method that doesn’t require any additional software. Here’s how you can do it:

• Navigate to the folder where the EML file is stored on your computer.
• Right-click on the EML file, select Open With and choose Notepad (or any other plain text editor available on your system).
• The EML file will open as plain text, displaying both the email content and metadata such as headers.
• Go to File >> Save As, and in the Save dialog box: Change the file extension to .txt (e.g., example.txt). Choose a destination folder and click Save.

Note: This method is ideal to convert EML to Txt one by one separately. However, keep in mind that it may also display additional metadata and HTML code, which you can manually clean up if needed.

Drawbacks Associated with Manual Solutions

While manual methods like Notepad or Thunderbird to convert EML files to text can be quick and simple, they come with several limitations that may make them unsuitable for larger or more complex conversion tasks. Here are the main drawbacks of manual solutions:

• Time-Consuming: Manual methods can be slow, especially when dealing with large numbers of EML files.
• Risk of Errors: Manual extraction may lead to missed or incomplete data.
• Inconsistent Formatting: Plain text conversion can result in messy or jumbled formatting.
• Metadata Overload: Manual methods may expose unnecessary email metadata that needs to be cleaned up.
• Limited Scalability: Handling multiple files manually is impractical and inefficient for bulk conversion.
• Lack of Automation: Without automation, manual conversion requires repetitive work for each EML file.
• File Size Issues: Large EML files may not open properly in basic text editors like Notepad.

For frequent or more complex conversion tasks, professional software or automated tools are often a better choice.

Solution 03: All-in-One Solution to Convert EML Files to Text

The DRS EML Converter Tool is a professional and efficient solution for converting EML files into various formats, including plain text (TXT). This user-friendly tool ensures high accuracy and preserves the original email content while streamlining the conversion process. Here’s how this utility can be beneficial for you to convert EML to TXT:

• Supports conversion of single or multiple EML files simultaneously.
• Preserves email metadata, folder structure, and formatting during conversion.
• Compatible with EML files from all email clients like Outlook, Thunderbird, and Windows Live Mail.
• Allows users to preview email content before conversion.
• Provides additional output formats like PDF, PST, MSG, MBOX, and more.

How to Convert EML to TXT Within a Few Clicks

• Download the DRS EML Converter Tool and install it on your system.
• Open the software and click on the Select Files/Select Folder option to import EML files.
• Use the preview feature to review the content of the EML files before converting.
• From the list of available output formats, choose Plain Text (TXT). Apply filters or customize settings if necessary.
• Specify a location on your system where the converted TXT files will be saved.
• Click on the Convert button to initiate the process. The tool will quickly convert the selected EML files into TXT format.

Conclusion

Converting EML files to TXT format can be accomplished using various methods, ranging from manual approaches to using specialized tools. Whether you’re working with a single email or managing a large archive, there’s a solution that fits your needs. Choose the method based on the volume of files, required features, and your comfort level with software tools to convert EML to Text with ease.

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