Thursday 15th May 2025

Overview: In todays world every possible user is utilizing email services and out of which few of are very popular to send and receive information electronically with security. MBOX is a mailbox email format that saves a bunch of emails in a single text file. On the other hand, an NSF file can sync with Domino servers. One can access any email in offline-mode and can also sync when connected to internet. If you also want to save MBOX emails into NSF format, then this blog will be helpful for users who want to convert MBOX to NSF for Lotus Notes.

What is Lotus/HCL Notes NSF Format or MBOX Mailbox?

Mailbox MBOX email data files carries and organizes and archiving electronic messages. Multiple or any number of emails can be stored into MBOX file format that includes, plain text format, rich text format and HTML format. In the MBOX format, emails are saved. Each message is added one after another. Plenty of well-known desktop email applications, such as Apple Mail (Mac), Eudora, Postbox, Netscape Mail, and others, support MBOX files. Plaintext emails are stored in MBOX files. Further, users are required to go through more covered up sections about how to convert MBOX to NSF with ease and read mbox emails into NSF format HCL Notes.

So we all know that the NSF file is a database zipped file contain emails and is proprietary file of IBM Lotus Notes – formerly HCL Notes. The database file in use by (IBM) Lotus Notes and Domino to store various forms of object such as e-mail, appointments and document, but also application forms and views is called Notes Storage Facility (NSF). AS we all know that NSF file/document is done on purpose as a working email document for NSF specification.

NSF stands for Notes Storage Facility. This file contains everything from emails, contacts, calendars, tasks, etc., in the entire mailbox in one structured file. NSF email data files proprietor native to Lotus Notes. A Server based email client platform originated by IBM company formerly HCL technologies. IBM Domino Server also workable or we say suitable with the NSF format. Notes Storage Facility, aka NSF, is suitable for both personal or enterprise-level messaging.

Reasons to Export/Convert MBOX to NSF Format

There are several purposes to convert mailbox emails to the NSF format, such as enabling IBM Lotus Notes to access MBOX files.

  • Lotus Notes (aka HCL Notes) gives advanced collaboration tools, an integrated calendar, contacts, a secure email environment, etc. If anyone switches from MBOX files to NSF, then they get seamless email continuity.
  • Strong features offered by Lotus Notes pertain to role-based access controls, encrypted email communication, modified processes, and email-integrated apps. Import or Migrate from MBOX emails to NSF to make productivity at work while preserving MBOX email data files.
  • By converting MBOX to NSF, users can move old emails into more auditable or secure settings.
  • IBM Domino Server gives multiple facilities for enterprise-level collaboration, data replication, and central control. HCL Notes is fully compatible, and we can work with the NSF layout. Integration with the larger Domino infrastructure is made possible by moving emails from MBOX to NSF.
  • Lotus Notes gives users flexible archiving options and robust search features that help to find emails easily. Users can use native Lotus tools to better manage, retrieve, and archive critical information after converting emails from MBOX to NSF.After knowing the valid point to convert MBOX to NSF for HCL Notes, now users need to learn the quick method to export MBOX emails with attachments into HCL Notes for Domino Server.

migrate-mbox-files-to-hcl-notes

Handy Free Method: Convert MBOX to NSF for IBM Lotus (HCL) Notes

Users need to use the manual method to open/access MBOX files because there is no direct method to export MBOX files into NSF format. IBM Lotus Notes doesn’t directly support MBOX files; nevertheless, users need to follow or use multiple email clients like Thunderbird, Outlook, and Lotus Notes to convert MBOX emails with attachments into NSF format.

Simple Methods with 3 Steps  to Change or convert MBOX into NSF

  1. Load or Import MBOX mail to Thunderbird
  2. Either access, configure and open email id from Mozilla TB aka Thunderbird into Microsoft Outlook
  3. Export or take backup from Outlook client, after that import MBOX mail into Lotus Notes NSF

First step: Import MBOX Email Backup into Mozilla TB/Thunderbird

  • Launch Mozilla Thunderbird.
  • For importing MBOX data, make use of the “ImportExportTools NG” extension in TB aka Thunderbird:
  • Launch the email client TB on PC or laptop.
  • Hit or right click on “Tools” → “Addons
  • Search “ImportExportTools NG” extension.
  • After installing Thunderbird, restart it.
  • Pick Now “Local Folders” → “ImportExportTools NG”
  • Now, Right-click on the mouse, “Import MBOX File”, after that, save the MBOX files new folder or an existing one.
  • Look through your MBOX file or import it.

Second step: Open Thunderbird Files/Data into Microsoft Outlook

Note: An email file format would be required to access TB Thunderbird email into Microsoft Outlook program. That’s the reason users are in need to switch Thunderbird MBOX email backup into EML.

  • Launch email program – Thunderbird again.
  • Now on choose specific or required MBOX emails to take backup or export.
  • Save Selected Messages” and then choose as “EML Format“.
  • Emails should be stored in a system folder.
  • Go to run Microsoft Outlook.
  • Now save EML files by using the drag and drop feature in the Outlook folder.

Last Step: Export Files from Outlook:–Import File into Lotus Notes

PST files not supported and EML files not supported directly to import into Lotus Notes. Below sections guides step by step to import MBOX mailbox into NSF email format.

Part A: Export PST Email Data using Microsoft Outlook (Optional)

  • Choose – File and then move to option Open & Export.
  • By clicking on Export/Import, choose option Outlook Data File (.pst) as the backup output to export.
  • Store Outlook email data into a .pst email file format.

Part B: Import Emails into Lotus Notes:

  • By working with the Lotus Notes client or Domino server to execute the “Migration Wizard.”
  • This tool or wizard is part of IBM Domino Admin client and it hold up migration from Outlook to NSF.
  • Now this tool maps Outlook email data file into NSF format.

Use EML Email export into NSF:

  • Drag and drop option method can be used to import EML backup files into Lotus Notes.

Predicament While using Manual Methods to Migrate MBOX to NSF HCL Notes:

  • Need many time to convert large folders from MBOX to NSF.
  • Users need to download or install many email clients
  • Technical expertise and knowledge required to Extract MBOX files in Lotus Notes.
  • Multiple steps; if users miss any step, then they can lose their important data.
  • Email client configuration required in case of MBOX mailbox migrate to NSF HCL Notes.

convert-mbox-into-nsf-format-for-lotus-notes

Recommended and Best Alternative to Convert MBOX to NSF (with email’s Attachments)

If users don’t want to be tired of converting MBOX to NSF by using the manual/handy methods, then they can use the superior solution, whose name is BLR MBOX converter software. By using the advanced solution, users can migrate all MBOX files or folders into NSF format for IBM without any data size restrictions. The BLR MBOX tool helps users to migrate/import data from MBOX to Gmail, Outlook.com, Amazon WorkMail, Zimbra, Thunderbird, Microsoft Office 365, PST, EMLX, EML, MSG, TXT, DOC, HTM, MHTML, and many other email formats.

Users can install this application on any Windows operating system, whether it’s the newest version or the oldest one. Multiple features in this software make the conversion process easy for both technical and non-technical people. Users can use the filter features of this software to make the conversion according to their needs. If purchasers wish to view more characteristics of the BLR MBOX email converter, they can grab the free demo version, which is offered to all users.

Steps to Export/Access MBOX Files or Folders in NSF Layout

  • Firstly, install the BLR MBOX data converter.
  • Start the application and pick the MBOX file(s) or folder(s).

select-mbox-files-or-folders

  • Take a look at the selected emails by using the preview feature.

preview-slected-mbox-before-convert-mbox-to-nsf

  • Specify the PST form and the preferred output location.

choose-pst-format

use-the-filter-features-to-convert-mbox-to-pst

Note: After getting PST files, users need to follow this guide to import the converted PST files into their Lotus Notes account.

  • Use the Domino Admin client’s Migration Wizard.
  • Configure it,
  • Import PST files into NSF format.

If users use this method, it only requires a properly configured Domino Server or Admin access.

Why Should Users Pick the Automated Solution?

  • By using the software method, anyone can convert/migrate bulk MBOX files into NSF.
  • Users didn’t need to install multiple email clients on a Laptop.
  • This technique is also suited for non-technical users who want to convert MBOX files to NSF.
  • Simple interface and 5 steps to export MBOX files into Lotus Notes.
  • Before the transfer process starts, users can obtain a free preview of the specified MBOX mailbox data.
  • Users have the option to convert MBOX files into other formats except NSF.
  • Save the original format of MBOX files when the conversion process starts.
  • A free trial is offered to test the possibilities of MBOX email exporter before buying license version.
  • Date filter, naming conversion, split PST, remove MBOX files duplicates, convert MBOX without or with attachments, and multiple features are added in this software that help users to convert MBOX files according to their needs.
  • This software also solves multiple issues in MBOX files, such as “How to import MBOX Greyed Out-File?”
  • 24/7 support is available from the BLR Tools.

Sum Up,

Now users get ease in learning methods to export or convert MBOX to NSF for Lotus Notes. In this article above we have mentioned into first method with multiple steps to migrate MBOX files into NSF. Users are required to download multiple email clients and then configure many other steps to install the MBOX Migration Wizard and many other steps to switch emails from MBOX to Lotus (HCL) Notes. Alternatively, users can use the pro/expert method given by BLR Tools. This alternative application helps you migrate MBOX files into PST and use the migration wizard to import MBOX files into NSF. Going with a trusted solution to extract or convert MBOX to NSF like BLR MBOX email converter makes email migration easier and adds value with productivity at work.

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