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ImportExportTools NG - Import of Subdirectories not working

volker.wille
volker.wille
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Hi,

I have used PST Converter from SysTools to convert an Outlook PST file into MBOX files. In this PST file there are about 1000 MBOX files in about 50 directories. In the Windows directory the MBOX files are in the correct directory structure.

It is possible to load all 1000 MBOX files into Thunderbird 10.91.0, but the directory structure of the files is lost. So instead of having 1000 files in 50 directories all 1000 files are listed.

I have noticed that there is no *.sbd file. This might be the problem.

Is there are information about the structure/content of the *.sbd file?

Best regards,

Volker

Hi, I have used PST Converter from SysTools to convert an Outlook PST file into MBOX files. In this PST file there are about 1000 MBOX files in about 50 directories. In the Windows directory the MBOX files are in the correct directory structure. It is possible to load all 1000 MBOX files into Thunderbird 10.91.0, but the directory structure of the files is lost. So instead of having 1000 files in 50 directories all 1000 files are listed. I have noticed that there is no *.sbd file. This might be the problem. Is there are information about the structure/content of the *.sbd file? Best regards, Volker

All Replies (2)

Matt
Matt
  • Moderator
  • Top 10 Contributor
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sdb files are not files. They are system folders/ directories.

Using the inbox as an example.

Inbox.msf This file is the index (sometimes called the database) it basically populates the internal message lists and contains references to the actual email locations (offsets) in the inbox file.

Inbox This is the inbox mbox file. Thunderbird uses no file extensions for mbox files and if they are placed in the profile folder with them they will appear in the folder list in Thunderbird with them.

Inbox.sdb This is the system folder used by Thunderbird to hold the mbox files for sub folders of the inbox folder.

I have some images in my blog post from probably 10 years ago https://thunderbirdtweaks.blogspot.com/p/blog-page.html that might help explain.

volker.wille
volker.wille Question owner
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Hi Matt,

thanks for your comments!

Having experimented with the some of my *.mbox files, I now understand that *.sbd files are required to indicate the hierarchical structure of the *.mbox files to Thunderbird. On a small scale I could replicate the Outlook hierarchy by creating *.SBD files in the required locations.

Unfortunately I have about so many *.mbox files that creating the *.sbd files manually is not really an option.

It is a shame that the 'ImportExportTools NG' flattens the existing hierarchy of the *.mbox files in the Windows file directories (see attachment) and turns these into a flat structure in Thunderbird.

Best regards,

Volker