MBOX is a popular file format used by prominent email clients, such as Thunderbird, Apple Mail, Eudora, Entourage, and others, to store mailbox data, such as emails, contacts, attachments, etc. But Microsoft Outlook does not support the MBOX file format. So, there is no direct way to import MBOX file data into Outlook. You first need to convert the MBOX file into Outlook-supported PST file format and then import it into the application.
In this post, we will discuss the stepwise process to convert the MBOX file to PST using a specialized MBOX to PST converter tool and then import the PST into Outlook. We will also mention a workaround to import the MBOX file emails into Outlook.
What is an MBOX File?
MBOX is a container file format that is used to store various mailbox items, such as emails, attachments, contacts, calendars, and more. There are several email clients that uses this file format to store the mail items. The MBOX file can be opened in an MBOX-supporting email client, such as Thunderbird or using any text editor, such as MS Notepad, GitHub Atom, etc.
What is a PST File?
PST or Personal Storage Table is a type of file format used by Outlook to store the mailbox items, such as emails, contacts, appointments, journals, etc. It is created automatically when the POP3 account is configured in Outlook or when the user exports the mailbox data. This file is used to move the Outlook mailbox data to another system or import it into another Outlook profile or Office 365 account.
Reasons to Import MBOX File into Outlook
Here are some reasons why users look for ways to import MBOX file data into Outlook:
- When switching from an MBOX-supporting email client, like Thunderbird or Eudora, to Microsoft Outlook.
- To consolidate and manage mailbox data from different email clients (each using MBOX files).
- For better integration with Microsoft applications, such as Word, Excel, etc.
Workaround to Import MBOX File Data into Outlook
As a workaround, you can import the MBOX file data into Mozilla Thunderbird and export the required emails from MBOX file to EML format (supported by Outlook). Then, drag and drop the EML files in Outlook. Follow the below detailed stepwise process to convert MBOX emails in EML format and import them into Outlook.
Step 1 – Download Mozilla Thunderbird and Create a Profile
Mozilla Thunderbird is a free-to-use email client that you can install on your system and access the MBOX file. After installing the application on your Windows system, create a new Thunderbird user profile. If you already have Thunderbird installed on your PC, skip this step.
Step 2 – Install ImportExportTools NG in Thunderbird
Once you have installed Thunderbird on your PC and configured a profile, install the ImportExportTools NG add-on. Follow the steps given below:
- Launch the Thunderbird application.
- Click on the waffle icon to openthe Thunderbird Menu. Click on Add-ons and Themes.
- In the Personalize Your Thunderbird window, type ImportExportTools NG in the search bar and press Enter.
- Now, select the ImportExportTools NG add-on.
- Click on the Add to Thunderbird button.
- On the next prompt, click on Add to proceed.
- Once the installation is complete, restart the Thunderbird application.
Step 3 – Import MBOX File into Thunderbird and Save Emails in EML Format
Once you have installed the ImportExportTools NG add-on in Thunderbird, import the MBOX file into your Thunderbird application and save the emails as EML files. Here’s what to do:
- Launch Thunderbird, right-click on the Local Folders, and then click on New Folder.
- Name the new folder and click on Create Folder.
- Right-click on the folder you just created and go to ImportExportTools NG > Import mbox Files > Individual mbox Files.
- Choose the MBOX file you want to import into Thunderbird and click Open.
- Once the MBOX file is imported into Thunderbird, you will see all the MBOX file items.
- Choose the emails you want to save as EML, right-click on the selected emails, and click on Save As.
- Choose the destination folder and click on Select Folder.
The selected emails will be saved as EML files in the destination folder.
Step 4: Drag and Drop EML Files in Outlook
Once you have saved the MBOX emails in EML format, drag and drop them in Outlook. Follow the below steps:
- Launch the Outlook desktop application.
- Create a new folder and give it a name.
- Drag and drop the EML files into the newly created folder in Outlook.
Limitations of the Above Process
Though the above workaround can help you import MBOX emails into Outlook, it has certain limitations, such as:
- Exporting large number of emails from an MBOX file as EML files takes a lot of time and effort.
- It is not suitable for moving EML files to Outlook in bulk as it can result in missing or lost emails.
- Compatibility issues can lead to some imported EML files not opening properly in Outlook.
An Easy and Effective Way to Import MBOX File into Outlook
A simpler, safer, and straightforward way to import MBOX data into Outlook is to convert the MBOX file to PST format. For this, you can use Stellar Converter for MBOX – a powerful MBOX to PST converter tool that lets you accurately convert MBOX file to Outlook PST file format. After conversion, it maintains the original mailbox folder structure and hierarchy, and integrity of mailbox items. It can convert MBOX files of all the popular emails clients, such Thunderbird, Apple Mail, Eudora, Entourage, PocoMail, Google Takeout, and others.
Here are the steps to convert MBOX file into PST using Stellar Converter for MBOX:
- Download and install Stellar Converter for MBOX on your Windows PC where Outlook is installed.
- Launch the software.
- Click on Select Mail Client under the Home tab.
- The Select MBOX window will appear. Select the email client from the Select Mail Client dropdown.
- After selecting the email client, click on either Select File or Select Identity to select the MBOX file. Then, click on Convert.
- The software will start scanning the selected MBOX file. Once the scan is complete, preview the MBOX data.
- Select the mail items you want to save to PST and click on the Save Converted File button under the Home tab.
- Choose the Save As PST option in the Save As window. Click Next.
- Click on Browse to choose the destination folder to save the PST file. Click Save.
After converting the MBOX file to Outlook-supported PST file format, you can easily open or import the converted file into Outlook using the Import/Export wizard. Here’s how:
- Launch Outlook and go to File > Open & Export > Import/Export.
- The Import and Export wizard window will appear. Select the Import from another program or file option and click Next.
- Select the Outlook Data File (.pst) option and click Next.
- Next, click Browse to choose the converted PST file and then click Next.
- Select the folder in Outlook profile where you want to import the MBOX email items and click Finish.
After the process is complete, you can access the MBOX file items in Outlook.
Conclusion
If you want to import MBOX file into Outlook, you can follow the workaround discussed in this post. However, it requires a lot of time and effort. Moreover, it is not suitable when you need to import a large number of emails. The best option is to convert the MBOX file to PST format and then import this file into Outlook.
To convert the MBOX file to PST, you can rely on Stellar Converter for MBOX. It is a simple-to-use software to convert MBOX file of any size to PST with complete integrity. It can also export the converted MBOX file directly to a Microsoft 365 (Office 365) account.
