How to Convert Thunderbird MAB File (Address Book) to CSV?

Overview: Thunderbird is known as Tbird, which saves multiple types of email formats. Thunderbird is a free, open-source email client that stores MBOX, MBX, SBD, EML, and Maildir types of email files. In Mozilla Thunderbird, there is one more file that is called an MAB file, which is also known as the address book in Thunderbird. Users usually need to export MAB files in CSV to access them in CRM systems. To manage contacts, some users would like to save the Thunderbird MAB address book to CSV. Users must take several actions in order to extract contacts from Thunderbird to CSV format. You can export your Thunderbird MAB address to CSV format using this blog’s easy-to-follow the directions.

MAB File Info: Why Export Thunderbird Address Book to CSV!

Some users don’t know this option: Thunderbird stores address book data in files with the .mab extension. In the updated version, Thunderbird also uses the files for address book data. MAB data files are primarily used by various types of email clients, such as SeaMonkey, Netscape, or mostly Mozilla Thunderbird.

MAB files usually store multiple details—first name, last name, display name, email addresses, phone numbers, and business contact details—in a single file. In the past, the MAB file was also known as Mork. Mozilla Thunderbird creates multiple types of MAB files to manage users’ contacts.

In the new version of Thunderbird, specifically in Thunderbird 78 and above, use SQLite database files instead of MAB files. Users may see file types such as like; abook.sqlite, history.sqlite, or impab.sqlite going throught Thunderbird profile default folder. If users still use the old Thunderbird version, then they only see the MAB files, not the SQLite database file.

In the updated Thunderbird versions, Tbird creates new address book files as SQLite database files to manage information of contact files. SQLite database files usually save profiles, address books, email metadata, settings, etc. In Thunderbird, the .sqlite extension is located within the profile folder on the system. Every SQLite file has a specific global-messages-db.sqlite for indexing messages or abook.sqlite to save address book contacts. Users can open or view Thunderbird SQLite files by using the SQLite viewer tool.

Reasons to Migrate Thunderbird MAB Address to CSV

• There are many reasons to migrate Thunderbird Address Book MAB files into CSV format. CSV files can be used in plain-text format and also used in multiple applications such as Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, LibreOffice Calc, etc. MAB files can only be used or access in Mozilla Thunderbird; that’s why this MAB file is not easy to open or import in any other email client.
• Contact data can be moved between platforms or apps. CSV files are readily accessible to users on mobile devices and CRM. CSV is most convenient format for sharing or accessing data at any time and from any location is CSV files.
• An MAB file can limit your options to access it in the future. When Thunderbird is no longer in use, contact data can still be access and used by converting MAB files into CSV. After transferring Thunderbird MAB files into CSV, users can view contacts in various ecosystems.
• As users know, CSV files can be easily accessible backups of contacts. Users can store MAB files in CSV format, and then they can access their contacts when “Thunderbird ImportExportTools NG Not Working.”

After knowing the valid reasons to export Thunderbird MAB Address to CSV, now users want to easy method to export Tbird MAB files into CSV format.

Manually Convert Tbird Address MAB Files into Comma Separated Value

In this method, users need to follow each step to convert MAB files into CSV. Please carefully follow each step: –

• Address book files are saved by Thunderbird in the profile folder with .mab extensions.[%APPDATA%\Thunderbird\Profiles\]
• Now open the folder with the .default or similar name.
• Search File like:
  • Abook.mab
  • History.mab
  • impab.mab
• Create a backup file of these files.
• Thunderbird cannot directly export MAB or CSV files; users need to add “ImportExportTools NG” to make the conversion process successful.
• Open Thunderbird.
• Search “ImportExportTools NG” and ‘Add.’
• Restart Thunderbird and go to Address Book by clicking “Ctrl + Shift + B”
• Choose the Address Book file.
• Right click- choose Export option.
• Pick the CSV format and save the file.
• Open the CSV file.
• Check the Thunderbird contacts.

Limitations of Free Method to Thunderbird MAB Address to CSV

• Users need to understand Thunderbird.
• MAB file is stored in 3 formats, such as: Abook.mab, History.mab, impab.mab, and they need to know which file format saves the contacts.
• Exporting the MAB Address Book into CSV requires technical expertise.
• Need to follow each step to export MAB files; if users, by any chance, miss any steps, then they can lose the whole contact book.
• In this method, there is no guarantee of data safety once the conversion process begins.

How to Immediately Export/Convert Thunderbird MAB Address to CSV?

If users don’t want any trouble converting the Thunderbird MAB address book to CSV format. Then they can use the BLR Tools MBOX email converter as an alternative. This tool can easily convert Thunderbird SBD emails into PST. There are users who can choose any size Thunderbird MAB file that they want to convert into CSV format. This tool can work with all Windows operating systems, whether it’s a new version or oldest version. There is zero percent data loss once the conversion process begins. Users can use or download the free demo edition of this tool to learn more about the software.

Common Issues with Fixes When Exporting from MAB to CSV

1. Some users are unable to open or read MAB files directly because they can only be open in Thunderbird. To solve this issue, users can use the ImportExportTools NG add-on to read or export Thunderbird MAB files.
2. Sometimes, users’ MAB files are also corrupt or partially overwrite; that’s why data might not export properly. In this issue, users can lose whole contact files. To resolve this issue, users must correct the address book before exporting. Users can also try to export each MAB file separately.
3. Users can also face the special characters issue when they are trying to import MAB files into CSV. If users want to export MAB files, then they need to create a backup and then use the dedicated MBOX mailbox converter to access MAB files if their Thunderbird fails.
4. In Thunderbird, sometimes the ImportExportTools NG add-on is not working because Thunderbird is not a compatible version. Users must update Thunderbird in order to export MAB files into CSV format. If users try to reinstall the add-on, then they can access MAB files in CSV format.
5. If users choose the free method to export MAB files into CSV format, then the CSV format might be misaligned. To open CSV files, users can use Google Sheets or Excel, which can separate data correctly. Users can also check encoding settings during the export of MAB files into CSV.

Time to Sum Up,

In this article, users can learn the simple method to migrate Thunderbird MAB address to CSV. This blog provides two simple techniques to export MAB address book files into CSV format. The first method is free but there are some cons to the free method. Users can use the alternative guide to export Thunderbird MAB files into comma-separated value format. This tool is best for exporting MAB files into CSV format. Users can also convert MBOX files into multiple other formats. Sometimes, users can’t find the exported CSV files and they face multiple issues while exporting MAB files. When users try to convert MAB files, they need to know the folder and save the files in CSV format. This blog also gives the easy issue fixes to export Thunderbird MAB files into CSV.