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Is it possible to import and view local (EML) messages without configuring a mail account?

  • 4 replies
  • 3 have this problem
  • 237 views
  • Last reply by michapma

michapma
michapma
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I am exporting private messages from Lotus Notes (work account) to the EML format, and would like to view them in Thunderbird without associating them with an existing account. After installation, Thunderbird does not show “Local folders” unless an account is specified.

Is it possible to use Thunderbird to import and view the EML files exported from Lotus Notes only locally, that is as a simple archive not associated with an existing account? I am surprised at not finding information on this after an extensive web search. The closest I found is an article explaining how to read local mail accounts on GNU/Linux:

http://askubuntu.com/questions/192572/how-do-i-read-local-email-in-thunderbird

I am exporting private messages from Lotus Notes (work account) to the EML format, and would like to view them in Thunderbird without associating them with an existing account. After installation, Thunderbird does not show “Local folders” unless an account is specified. Is it possible to use Thunderbird to import and view the EML files exported from Lotus Notes only locally, that is as a simple archive not associated with an existing account? I am surprised at not finding information on this after an extensive web search. The closest I found is an article explaining how to read local mail accounts on GNU/Linux: http://askubuntu.com/questions/192572/how-do-i-read-local-email-in-thunderbird

Chosen solution

I found a possible solution to the problem—possibly not the only or the best—by specifying a bogus account, that is, by entering a fake domain and not entering a password. Tbird now shows both the fake account and Local Folders in the left-hand pane.

I had this idea already, but didn’t use it since it seems inelegant. After reading that someone else found it the easiest solution:

https://commons.lbl.gov/display/~jwelcher@lbl.gov/Reading+an+mbox+file+with+Thunderbird

Unfortunately, I entered a domain that I only imagined is bogus, and TB started to connect. Fortunately, the certificate was invalid and I could refuse the connection and specify a properly bogus domain. :)

I’ve already configured the folder where the files should be stored, and will later transfer the files to another computer. There I’ll probably isolate the messages by accessing them from a separate profile.

Thanks again for the help.

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All Replies (4)

christ1
christ1
  • Top 25 Contributor
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You can install this add-on and import the .eml files into Local Folders or a subfolder you may want to create before. https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/thunderbird/addon/importexporttools/

After installation, Thunderbird does not show “Local folders” unless an account is specified.

I don't understand what you're trying to say here.

sfhowes
sfhowes
  • Top 25 Contributor
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File/Open... Saved Message. File menu is also accessible from the hamburger icon.

michapma
michapma Question owner
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christ1 said
You can install this add-on and import the .eml files into Local Folders or a subfolder you may want to create before. https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/thunderbird/addon/importexporttools/

Thanks, that will be helpful. I understand I can also drag and drop EML files; however, the problem is not how to import EML files, but how to see Local Folders without already specifying a mail account.

christ1 said
After installation, Thunderbird does not show “Local folders” unless an account is specified.

I don't understand what you're trying to say here.

After installing Thunderbird 38.4 in Windows, it displays the screen in the attachment. I would of course like to work with Email rather than Chat, Newsgroups or Feeds, but selecting Email prompts me with the “Welcome to Thunderbird” dialogue; if I select “Skip this and use my existing email,” it opens the Mail Account Setup. I do not want to set up an account, however, only import and view locally saved messages (the EML files exported from Lotus Notes) under Local Folders, so I do not continue with the account set up. I need to figure out how to allow Thunderbird to show me Local Folders without specifying an existing or new mail account.

sfhowes said

File/Open... Saved Message. File menu is also accessible from the hamburger icon.

I can open individual files via File > Open > Saved Message, but not sort hundreds of them under Local Folders.

Thanks for the help so far, and for answering so quickly.

michapma
michapma Question owner
more options

Chosen Solution

I found a possible solution to the problem—possibly not the only or the best—by specifying a bogus account, that is, by entering a fake domain and not entering a password. Tbird now shows both the fake account and Local Folders in the left-hand pane.

I had this idea already, but didn’t use it since it seems inelegant. After reading that someone else found it the easiest solution:

https://commons.lbl.gov/display/~jwelcher@lbl.gov/Reading+an+mbox+file+with+Thunderbird

Unfortunately, I entered a domain that I only imagined is bogus, and TB started to connect. Fortunately, the certificate was invalid and I could refuse the connection and specify a properly bogus domain. :)

I’ve already configured the folder where the files should be stored, and will later transfer the files to another computer. There I’ll probably isolate the messages by accessing them from a separate profile.

Thanks again for the help.