What is an EML File Extension?
| Developer: | Microsoft Office |
| Popularity: | Very Common & Highly Popular |
| Used by: | Microsoft Outlook, Thunderbird, Apple Mail, Windows Mail, and Outlook Express. |
EML file format is a standard format for storing email messages. It is widely used for personal and professional use across various devices and email applications. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about EML files, including their structure, uses, advantages, challenges, and how to handle them.
What is EML File Format?
An EML file is a file extension that is used to store email messages in a standard format developed by Microsoft. EML files are generally a plain text file format that contains an email message along with the attachments and metadata. Various email clients like Microsoft Outlook, Thunderbird, and Windows Mail use these files.
Structure of an EML File
- Header Information: This part of an EML file contains essential details about the email such as the sender, recipient, subject, and date.
- Body content: An EML file includes various types of attachments such as images, documents, and other files.
- Metadata: Provides sender's and recipient's email address, subjeIt stores the files attached to the email such as documents, images, and other file types.
- MAPI Properties: Metadata of EML files provides additional information about the email, such as email addresses, date & time, sender and recipient information, etc.
Why Use EML Files?
EML files are used for several reasons:
- Easy to Save and Share: EML files enable you to save single email messages as distinct files. It helps you to easily save and share your email messages.
- Widely Supported: Most business email clients such as Microsoft Outlook, Thunderbird, and Windows Mail natively support EML files and can easily open them.
- Good for Backup: You can use EML files to back up your important emails. EML is the best file format to back up email messages and access them easily.
- Simple to Archive: EML files are convenient to use when storing old emails which are not required frequently. They can be classified in folders that are easily accessible since they are stored on one's computer.
- Keeps Email Details Intact: EML files contain all the information of the email, BCC, CC, attachments, sender information, and even the templates making sure nothing is lost.
- Useful for Legal and Compliance Needs: EML files retain all the contents of the emails along with other details, which may come in handy in legal processes, where one must prove what was sent and when.
- Easy Conversion: EML files can be easily exported to other formats such as PDF or PST format (Outlook) depending on the way or the other program it is needed.
How to Access EML Files?
- Microsoft Outlook: Right-click on the EML file format and then using the ‘Import/Export’ option, import them to Outlook.
- Thunderbird: Then in the menu bar, click on “File” and then click on “Open Saved Message” After this find the EML file.
- Windows Mail: To import an EML file, all you have to do is, open Windows Mail and then double-click the EML file.
- Using a Text Editor: EML files are plain text files and as such they can be viewed with text editors such as Notepad or TextEdit. But in this method, you will find only the plain text of the e-mail and not its formatted view.
- Using Specialized Software: There are many software tools which are available in the market to access and manage the EML files. These tools sometimes add to the normal capabilities of converts such as to another format.
How to Create an EML File?
You can use the following ways to create an EML file format:
- Outlook: Open the email, go to File > Save As, choose Outlook Message Format ‐ Unicode *.msg, and rename it with a .eml extension.
- Thunderbird: Right-click the email, select Save As, and choose EML files (*.eml).
- Windows Mail: Open the email, go to File > Save As, and select Mail (*.eml).
- Drag and Drop: In Outlook or Thunderbird, drag the email to your desktop or a folder to automatically save it as an EML file.
Challenges With EML File Format
While EML files are generally reliable, users may encounter a few common issues:
- File Corruption: Sometimes the EML files may also get damaged because of improper saving or transferring of the files. In such cases, the usage of recovery tools or restoration from the backup might be required.
- Compatibility Issues: However, there are those email clients that do not support EML files. In such instances, the file likely has to be converted to another appropriate format.
- Large Attachments: There are some problems associated with using EML files that have large attachments.
Download the Best Software to Quickly Open EML Files Without Outlook.