Easy Solution to Convert MBOX to TXT as Plain Text

Summary: Are you thinking about getting the emails in a simple TXT format that is easy to read and shareable with anyone? For easy access, research, or basic backup, users want to convert MBOX to TXT format. An MBOX file that stores the bulk of email in one container helps you to back up the whole inbox in one place, but it might be difficult to open or access an MBOX file on Windows when users don’t use an MBOX-supportive email client. In this situation, users can just want to view the MBOX file. A TXT file is a basic, plain-text document that can be opened without needing email clients. In this article, users can learn how to turn an MBOX file into a clean TXT file. This guide will show you a basic and simple way to download MBOX files into TXT format.

Why Convert MBOX to TXT?

Converting MBOX email files to TXT offers several key benefits, such as

• Users can open and read emails without installing any email client.
• The TXT format is lightweight and can be opened on any device or operating system.
• This format is incredible if users this for legal or forensic purposes.
• If users want to save emails for long-term record-keeping and archiving, then the TXT format is best, unlike the MBOX format.
• You can quickly search and index content in a small TXT file.
• A TXT file is much faster than sifting through a bulky MBOX file in any email client.

Know About: MBOX & TXT File Formats

• MBOX File: Users are able to save all of their emails in an online email folder called an MBOX file. It’s a single text-based file that holds multiple email messages. This file format is open or accessible by multiple email program like Mozilla Thunderbird and Apple Mail.
• TXT File: A TXT file is a simple or plain text format that can be opened by any text editor. Users can open this file on Notepad or WordPad. Extracting MBOX files into TXT makes the email content into a readable, line-by-line format.

Top 3 Manual Methods: Extract & Convert MBOX to TXT

If users want to freely convert MBOX files into TXT as plain text format, then they can use some hands-on methods that can help them to convert MBOX files into TXT format. This free method also comes with some limitations, or I say, cons. When users use this method, they need to follow each step to convert MBOX data into plain TXT. Here are all the methods:

Method 1: Open MBOX File with Text Editor

This is most straightforward strategy, but it’s also sometimes the most chaotic. Follow these steps to export MBOX to Plain TXT:

• Check the MBOX file.
• Right-click on the MBOX file.
• Select the “Open with” option.
• Pick any text editor like Notepad++ or TextEdit. (If you use a Windows PC, then use Notepad and macOS users can use TextEdit.)
• The MBOX file is now open.
• It shows all the email content and metadata. However, the unstructured text block is what you receive.

Drawback: This method is only useful for quickly viewing a small number of MBOX files in TXT format. If you want to access MBOX data files, then the email formatting will be chaotic. It will make it hard to find or read anything.

Method 2: Try Thunderbird to Extract Mailbox Data in TXT

This method is best if you already use the Thunderbird email client to make a readable MBOX file in TXT format.

• Use the already installed or downloaded Mozilla Thunderbird.
• Open Thunderbird.
• Go to “Tools” and pick the option “Import.”
• Select the MBOX file that users want to import.
• After the importing process is done, your emails will appear in a folder within Thunderbird.
• Install ImportExportTools NG.
• Right-click the folder containing the imported emails.
• Now pick “ImportExportTools NG,” choose “Export all messages in the folder,” and select “plain text (.txt) file.”

😊 Pros: This method preserves the email structure and organized folder.
🙁 Cons: Firstly, users have to install and set up Mozilla Thunderbird and use the ImportExportTools NG.

Alternative 3: Apple Mail for Mac Users

If users use macOS, then they can use Apple Mail to open MBOX files in plain text format. Here are some steps that you can use to extract MBOX files in TXT format.

• Open Apple Mail.
• Go to the “File” option and choose “Import Mailboxes.“
• Select the MBOX file you want to import.
• When the emails are imported, choose individual emails or an entire folder.
• Select “Plain Text” as the format by going to “File” > “Save As.“

Limitation: This method works exclusively on macOS. It also requires saving emails one by one. This process can be time-consuming for those users who have multiple folders or bulk files of MBOX.

Automated/Professional Solution: Extract MBOX into Plain Text

As users know, the fact that manual methods are simple but not practical. This is where dedicated third-party tools come in. BLR MBOX converter software allows users to modify MBOX files into TXT format. This application can easily extract and convert MBOX to TXT as plain text format. To read MBOX files, you do not need to install Mozilla Thunderbird or use another email software. This application can be installed on Windows OS editions. Anyone can use this utility to export MBOX data to TXT.

Step to Export MBOX to Plain Text File

• Download the BLR Tools MBOX Converter.
• Complete the software launching process.
• Select the MBOX file and preview it.
• Choose the TXT option.
• Pick a location.
• Use filter features like date filter, naming conversion, etc.
• To get started with the MBOX to TXT conversion, click convert.

What are the top capabilities in this tool?

• They also make sure that the MBOX converted text is readable and well-structured.
• Users can choose which MBOX emails they want to convert.
• This application is designed for non-technical users.
• Work with all Windows operating systems.
• Convert MBOX files into 60+ other formats.
• Preview feature available before converting MBOX files into TXT format.

Challenges in the Free Methods

• Time-Consuming: The cost-free method is incredibly slow if users are trying to open large MBOX files.
• Formatting issues: The output can be messy and hard to read if users try to read MBOX files in TXT format by using free techniques.
• Technical Knowledge: Knowing email client parameters or add-ons may be necessary for users to convert MBOX files.
• No Attachments Conversion: The TXT format is plain text. In the manual method attachments are not included.

Final Thoughts,

If users seriously want to convert MBOX to TXT plain text, then they can use any method mentioned in the blog. This guide gives users 4 of the best alternative tips to extract MBOX emails into TXT format without needing technical help. The first 3 methods are fully free, so users don’t need to spend any money to convert MBOX files into TXT format, but this method can be messy if users are trying to read large-sized MBOX files.

For large-scale conversion, users can use the professional application. Any size MBOX file can be manage by this program without any data restrictions. No need to worry about the email formatting once the conversion process begins. Users can download the free trial edition of this application to see how the tool works. I hope this blog gives you complete information so you can know how to export MBOX data into TXT format.