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Users tend to save emails to PDF format, as a PDF file can be accessed on any web browser without the need for Outlook to be installed. PDF files are non-editable and can be secured with a password for safety purposes. Converting PST emails to PDF is preferred by users who wish to save emails in a commonly printable format. Manual methods through which users can convert PST to PDF files are many, but they involve complex data extraction, and the overall process is slow and not effective in maintaining the data integrity of emails. We will discuss both manual and automated solutions in this blog, but first, let us focus on the need for exporting PDT emails to PDF format.
Why Convert Outlook PST to PDF Format?
Here are the reasons that make it necessary to convert PST to PDF with attachments. Some of the most common reasons are mentioned below:
- Portability and Compatibility: PDF files are versatile and can be opened on devices regardless of the operating system. Exporting PST into PDF means that the file structure of emails is preserved as is, and it is easy to access.
- Outlook Dependency: The PST file can only be accessed with Microsoft Outlook PDF file can be accessed on any device, and it has a uniform format structure. Hence, it is more appropriate if the PST data is converted to PDF format for sharing with non-Outlook clients.
- Legal and Compliance Requirements: Most businesses and people are bound by compliance rules, and PDF is the best file format to retain and share email copies with other parties.
- Data Security: In this context, PDF files are more secure than PST files in preserving email messages. One can easily encrypt a PDF file to protect the data. Besides, for further security, users can set their passwords and the validity of the PDF files.
Note: Sometimes users want to open their emails in any browser. If you are among those users, here is the solution for you. Methods to convert PST to HTML file.
Convert PST to PDF Format Manually
There are two different methods to convert PST to PDF manually. All the methods have been tried and tested, but each of them has some limitations, like the inability to remove attachments during the conversion or improper arrangement of files. The two manual methods are:
- Microsoft Print to PDF
- PST to PDF with Adobe Acrobat
Let’s explore these methods to convert PST to PDF files.
Method 1: Convert PST File to PDF by Microsoft Print
Outlook doesn’t provide an option to export the Outlook folder to PDF format. But, in the latest version of Outlook, this can be done manually with the help of the Microsoft Print to PDF option.
- Open Outlook.
- Now, choose each email that you want to convert from PST files to PDF format.
- From the ribbon bar, go to the File Button and click Print from the list of options that appears.
- Now, hit the print button.
- In the next window, go to the designation and then save the location of the output.
- Finally, click on the Save button to begin the conversion process in order to get a new document.
Method 2: Convert PST File to PDF using Adobe Acrobat
To save PST files to PDF using Adobe Acrobat, one has to connect the Outlook inbox with the features of Adobe Acrobat. Email management is also easy with Adobe Acrobat, and users can copy, forward, or permanently archive, convert emails and all their attachments to PDF format. Here are the steps one needs to follow for changing pst mail files to pdf by using Adobe Acrobat.
- Open Outlook.
- Select Adobe PDF on the top bar.
- Choose the required email message to complete the conversion.
- From the drop-down list, expand New and then choose New PDF file.
- Go to the place & type the file name to convert PST to PDF in combination with the email attachments.
There are some limitations included with this method that users need to be aware of:
- Adobe Acrobat should be on the same computer as Outlook.
- Adobe allows conversion of a single email to pdf format at any given moment.
- If the PST file is corrupted or damaged, then this solution will not repair corrupt PST file for you.
- Also, it fails to maintain the folder structure in the process of conversion as well.
Convert PST to PDF With Attachments by Expert Solution
If you do not want to perform time-consuming techniques, you can use the BLR PST Converter software as our experts suggest. Using it, one is in a position to export PST to PDF format with all the attachments and other characteristics.
The software, as well as how it works are so graphical that anyone can run it effectively without having to be an IT person. The software will convert the Outlook folder into PDF format with high accuracy, and it will not lose any data.
The compatibility of the application is with Windows Operating Systems of all forms and versions. Besides, this PST to PDF Converter releases a trial version of the software with which any user can assess the toolkit’s performance at no charge.
Bottom Line
In the above guide, we have covered different methods to convert PST to PDF. It’s up to the user which method suits their requirement. The manual method for PST to PDF Conversion is a bit time-consuming and requires sound technical knowledge, while the automated method is simple and would require less time. The PST to PDF Converter recommended above is a better, safer, more secure, and time-saving option to export PST emails to PDF format.
