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How to Convert MBOX to CSV Format in Batch?

Karen Chard ~ Modified: 20-01-2023 ~ How To ~ 8 Minutes Reading

convert mbox to csv

Overview: Are you one of those who are searching for a solution to convert MBOX to CSV file format? If YES! Then you reached the right place. In this blog, we are going to explain an expert solution to convert emails on Mac or Windows. It will help you to manage your email data from various email clients in the Comma Separated Values file.

If we talk about which is the popular email saving format for local computers, then most people would say – MBOX. Because this Mailbox format is the most common format supported by many email clients, webmail, and email services globally. In fact, Google also allows you to extract Gmail data as an MBOX file.

Like MBOX, CSV is also a computer file. It is used for database purposes and spreadsheet programs. CSV is also known as Comma Separated Values. However, a lot of users want to convert emails into CSV files. Because the CSV file can easily open with many applications where they can easily manage their emails.

Table of Contents:

This article describes the perfect way to convert MBOX to CSV files. Users can export Thunderbird, Mac Mail, Apple Mail, etc. email client exported mailbox files to CSV formats. Export emails with accurate formatting using RecoveryTools MBOX to CSV Converter (Mac & Windows).

This software allows you to export all mailbox email items to CSV format. It includes fields like from Name, from Email to Name, to Email, Subject, Message-ID, Date, Body, etc. CSV files are simple text files for a database table supported by numerous applications including MS Outlook. This blog puts the need and various techniques to convert MBOX to CSV files.

MBOX & CSV – An Introduction

MBOX is the default format to store mailbox items for various email clients including Thunderbird, Apple Mail, Mac Mail, Netscape Mail, Eudora Mail, etc. It stores messages in plain text format and thousands of emails are compressed by separating them with the From keyword.

In contrast, CSV files save items in tabular formats in rows and columns. Each row contains a particular record and all its fields are separated by commas.

There are various reasons for a user to export MBOX files to CSV formats. A large number of users asked about the best solution on various forum platforms. Some of them are listed below:

“The export format for Gmail is MBOX. I need to create a CSV file with four columns, date, subject, sender, & recipient. I am using the script below to get just two columns (date and subject). And I used the command line “python mbox_parser.pl”. Subsequently, the result was a CSV file with 0 bytes.

My skill is very basic. I started with a script from GitHub scripts to parse MBOX file, convert to csv. I appreciate any help given.”

Bob Peace, London

“I am hoping to export the emails from a folder in my mailbox (from Mac Mail – an mbox file) to a .csv file, so I can open it in Excel. It should have multiple columns when the .csv files open, so the coding needs to adjust that too (see link below for more details). As an alternative, I had opened the inbox in Outlook for Mac in the hope to export the file that way as OLM file then Convert OLM to CSV, but for some reason, I’m not getting an ‘export‘ option, only import, so that was a waste of time!”

Katie R, Brazil

Instant Solution: MBOX to CSV Converter

MBOX to CSV Converter is the most recommended software solution by the technical expert. It permits the conversion of multiple MBOX files into CSV format at the same time on the Mac OS X and Windows. Get the free trial version from here to try the software features.

Download The solution on Mac / Windows:

Download for Windows Download for Mac

Note: You can download and use demo applications before purchasing the software key. The demo tool allows you to export a few Mailbox emails records to CSV file. For more, purchase the software key.

Steps to Convert MBOX to CSV Format

  1. Launch the software on your Mac / Windows PC.
  2. Select MBOX files with dual mode of selection.
  3. Choose the CSV option in the list of file-saving options.
  4. Set location to save resultant CSV file location.
  5. Click on Convert for MBOX to CSV conversion.

How to Convert MBOX Files to CSV – Complete Step-by-Step Process

1 – Download the MBOX to CSV converter software on your Mac and Windows Computer. Read all the instructions before starting the conversion process.

download mbox to csv converter

2 – Dual methods to load MBOX files from the source location. Click on Add Files or Add Folders option to load files.

load mbox files

3 – Choose the folder having Mailbox files and click on Open.

choose the folder

4 – Reverify the source Mailbox file location in the application panel.

5 – Select the mailbox items by enabling the checkbox in the explorer folder tree.

preview folder tree

6 – Choose CSV file format from the list of Select Saving options.

select csv option

7 – Setup more conversion option including Destination Location. Click on the Folder icon to alter the path. Choose any of the desired Folder where the user wants to save resultant CSV files. Click on the Convert button to initialize MBOX to CSV file Conversion and view the process in the application panel.

export mbox file to csv

8 – After the conversion process finished successfully access resultant CSV files from the destination location

Features & Benefits of MBOX to CSV Converter:

  • Dual Selection Options:

The software provides the option to choose multiple MBOX files at once. Intelligent software provides users dual options to choose mailbox by files or by folders. You can choose the required option according to user requirements.

  • Selective Email Conversion:

The software Analyzes the whole selected database before the conversion process begins. Here, you can choose the required email folders from the list easily.

  • Export All MBOX Email Details without Attachments:

The software allows you to convert all MBOX emails to CSV without attachments. Also, the software extracts all MBOX email items such as Name, from Email to Name, to Email, Subject, Message-ID, Date, Body, etc.

  • Freedom to Choose any Location Path:

The software gives the freedom to save converted files at the destination location path easily. Users can select any external and internal location path without any issues. The software creates a separate CSV file for each MBOX mailbox file.

  • Maintain MBOX Email Data in Tabular Form:

The software maintains email data in CSV rows and columns & tabular form. So, you can easily share all original MBOX email items such as email text, email subject, email addresses, hyperlinks, etc.

  • Secure & Consistent User Interface:

The software supports mailbox items of various email clients. Also, it provides a simple and Easy to use Product User Interface for all types of users. So, you can perform error-free and safest conversions with accurate results.

  • Supports all Microsoft Windows & Mac OS:

The software supports all editions of Microsoft Windows as well as Mac operating systems. You can install this application on Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 8, 7, as well as Server 2019, 2016, 2012, 2008, etc. As well as macOS X editions such as 10.15, 10.14, 10.13, etc.

Manual Method & FAQs

Here, we are showcasing how the conversion can be done using a manual method and why are we not recommending it. Simply read the answers ahead.

Q1: Is it Possible to Convert MBOX to CSV Manually using Thunderbird?

Ans: Yes, if you are using Mozilla Thunderbird, you can download the “ImportExportTools NG add-on”. This extension provides the option to save emails in CSV format.

Q2: Why is it not recommended to follow manual method?

Ans: Because the manual method that requires Thunderbird provides you with a CSV file having incomplete data. You can try and export a few (50-100) emails and view the results. The persisting problems in the resultant CSV file are:

  1. Does not show all recipients in To, CC, Bcc Fields.
  2. Imposes character limit of 50 on the Subject column.
  3. Frequently the entire email body is lost.

Q3: Is it possible to avoid the problems that occur in the manual method?

Ans: Yes, you can use the recommended software to get the job done. Make sure to try the demo version first for your task before purchasing the tool.

Conclusion

In this blog, we explained how to convert MBOX to CSV on Mac and Windows operating systems. The focus is on the tried and tested professional tool since the manual method results in a lot of inconveniences.

If you are looking for a complete solution to get the job done, then this blog will be an expert guide for you. The above-mentioned MBOX to CSV converter will help you achieve perfect results. With its simple GUI, the tool helps the users to export all MBOX file(s) regardless of the origins (Thunderbird, Apple Mail, Gmail mailbox file, etc.) to CSV format. This application is an advanced approach in terms of speed and accuracy as well as generating error-free results.

Also Read:

How to Convert MBOX Emails to XLSX?

How to Convert MBOX to Excel?