For every working professional, legal person or even a home user, getting the emails converted into a universal & portable document format is almost considered as a necessity today. Here, we are going to discuss the reasons why users seek to convert EML to PDF, and also learn about various means to achieve this crucial task. We are going to discuss here both the manual techniques using the common available applications and also give you a brief introduction of a highly popular professional tool that is specifically designed to process high-volumes of email data pretty quickly.
You must have encountered a scenario where a pretty important email is available to you in an EML file format, but unfortunately you fail to open it just because you do not have a specific email client installed on your system. Not to worry, it’s a very common issue encountered by the professional domain email users. Even if your data runs into GBs, this blog will help you carry out a smooth transition, almost error free.
Imagine a situation of judicial review where an advocate is supplied by a large chunk of email communications as evidence in an EML file format to be presented before the court, where it should be submitted in a court-friendly uneditable format. In order to achieve this, it becomes so important to know how to change EML to PDF. People also ask:
Query: How to open EML files without making use of any email application?
Answer: To view the contents of an EML file, you can use a professional EML to PDF converter to turn the contents of the EML file(s) into PDF form.
Query: How safe is it to convert highly sensitive & confidential emails to PDF online?
Answer: The online converter tools always pose a risk of data breach as your confidential data is being uploaded to 3rd-party websites over which you do not have any control. Thus, a trusted offline tool installed on your local machine, be it third-party, is always advisable for such bulk conversions in order to protect the user data and its privacy.
Why Is the Need to Change EML to PDF Growing Now?
There could be many scenes where people HAVE-TO change EML to PDF:
- For Legal Documentation: Law enforcement agencies & legal professionals usually need emails in some non-alterable file format for evidence, thus PDF!
- To Have Universal Access: PDF files could be easily opened on mobiles, tablets, & PCs without requiring Thunderbird or Outlook.
- For Preserving Data: PDF format is an industry-standard in long-run archiving, ascertaining data remains readable for years & years to come.
- To Enjoy Comfy Sharing: It is easier to email a PDF attachment to some client than to share a raw EML file with him, which might not even open.
- For Printing: When users turn EML into PDF, the layout tends to remain fixed, making it the best format for neat, professional-grade printing.
Manually Do EML File to PDF Transition
Solve your purpose of changing EML format to PDF manually. These operations are totally free to apply, and also there’s no need to download any 3rd-party tool if you already have the apps required. Such ways are good for a small number of EML files. Here, we will be discussing all these ways that include the processes using apps such as Mozilla Thunderbird, New Outlook, Apple Mail & Web Browser. Follow all the steps properly and it is also advised to pick the right process wisely.
Number 1 Way: Manually Convert EML to PDF Using Mozilla Thunderbird
If you use the Thunderbird email client to turn EML into PDF. For this, you need Mozilla Thunderbird installed on your machine where conversion is going to happen:
Phase One – You Have to Install the Plugin
Ensure that the Add-on has been updated as per your specific Mozilla Thunderbird version, if you have already installed the app before.
- Firstly, open Mozilla Thunderbird.
- Now, go to its Menu.
- Here, click on Add-ons & Themes & then search “ImportExportTools NG“.
- Next, tap on the option of Add to Thunderbird.
- Happily finish the task by restarting Thunderbird to check successful addition.
Phase Two – Now, You Need to Change EML to PDF
- You need to open Mozilla Thunderbird.
- Here, go to the desired folder where you wish to import EML files or you can even create a fresh folder.
- Once done, you then need to right-click on the folder > and, select ImportExportTools NG > and then, Import EML Messages > then, All EML Messages from the Directory & Subdirectories options.
- Next, select EML files from your computer, which you wish to change.
- Now, navigate to the folder, which holds your EML files.
- Here, right-click on the folder > then, select ImportExportTools NG > after that, Export All Messages in Folder > and then, PDF format > then, Messages and Index with Subfolders.
- After this, set a destination path & click Save for converting EML file to PDF.
Alert! You must install Thunderbird in order to run this approach. It will take some good amount of time to set up the Thunderbird email client and enable the necessary add-ons. This might not work with bulk conversion of EML files to PDF.
Number 2 Method: Using New Outlook to Save EML as PDF
You can use New Outlook to manually undertake EML format to PDF conversion:
- Start by opening New Outlook.
- Move forward and go to File > then, Open & Export > then, Import > then, Start Import.
- Go on to choose EML files & click Import.
- Thereupon, navigate to Print > and then, choose Microsoft print to PDF.
- Here, click on Print & then Save to finally complete the task.
Alert! You cannot use this method to carry out conversion of bulk EML data as it will not account for securing attachments in native form and may lead to crucial data loss. It will also be a time-consuming process for printing emails individually.
Number 3 Process: Using Apple Mail (This Is For Mac)
This method is particularly for Mac users who wish to turn their EML files into PDF form using the Apple Mail’s built-in feature, as follows:
- You first have to open Apple Mail & a folder where you wish to import EML files.
- Now, you must go to the location of EML files on your desktop.
- Next, drag & drop these files in Apple Mail’s folder.
- Once this is done, you can open & navigate to File > Export as PDF option.
- Move on to select a destination path and finally click Save.
Alert! This method utilizes a one-at-a-time approach to carry out EML files conversion into PDF format and will therefore prove to be a time-consuming approach. Also, this method only works with systems running on Mac OS, and is not suitable for systems running on Windows OS. The drag & drop operation also may lead to slowness of the conversion process thereby hampering its performance. Also note, only EML file text is saved on Apple Mail and not all its attachments.
Number 4 Procedure: Make Use of a Web Browser
This method helps too, here’s how to perform it:
- First of all, navigate to the EML files stored on your computer.
- Here, right-click > Open with > and then, choose any web browser you wish.
- Now, you have to press Ctrl+P & select Microsoft Print to PDF.
- Lastly, click Print > set destination location, and go on to press Save.
Alert! There is an inadvertent risk of losing images, layout, & EML file formatting. For beginners, the text might take a non-readable form thereby making it difficult to understand. Also note, bulk conversions are not supported by this method, and there is always an associated risk of data loss in the form of attachments as they might not get converted in the process.
What Stops Users from Trusting the Manual Techniques?
- Lengthy Undertaking: Such tricks become sort of tricky & lengthy in case of large folders due to repetitive steps for each email.
- No Bulk Option: You can’t process many files together in such ways.
- Data Integrity Compromised: There is a pretty high risk lurking of losing email headers (To/From/Date) or formatting.
- Email Attachment Issues: Attachments are usually not embedded in the resultant PDF as these manual paths mostly fail to save the docs attached to emails.
- Must-Have Technical Understanding: Some ways require installing specific plugins and/or add-ons, which could be confusing to people of non-technical background.
Experts’ Insight: Use the Pro Tool!
When manual exercises do not meet your business requirements, especially for critical data transfers, the RecoveryTools EML Converter delivers just what you want! This software is especially designed for handling big-scale work-related migrations with complete accuracy.
Who All Should Be Converting EML File to PDF the Professional Way?
- Corporate workforce keeping records of client handling.
- Businesses’ IT teams doing email archiving and taking backups.
- Freelance workers who keep records of their deals happening with clients.
- HR and finance departments to ensure compliance with payroll records.
- Lawyers and paralegals who keep records of court docs & legal problems.
Impressive Software USPs
- The tool allows you to convert EML to PDF on Mac as well as Windows, thus turning it into a very versatile tool.
- This desktop utility is made to preserve folder hierarchy, attachments and all email attributes in totality.
- Batch mode is there for bulk processing of all folders to process many files simultaneously.
- Filters are there (date range/subject/sender) so that you convert selectively.
- This straightforward tool has an uncomplicated interface design to please even those users who have no technical background.
- Do not worry even if the EML files are too large in size as this tool can handle them even without crashing.
Simplified Software Steps
- Initiate the simple procedure by launching the software on your system.
- Go ahead by adding EML files by making use of Select Files/Folders mode.
- Move on to select/deselect required folders and/or sub-folders from the list.
- Then select saving options including file naming & destination path.
- Continue further to eventually press Convert for starting the process.
Break Those Myths!
Myth 1: Manual operations are sufficient for all types of conversion needs.
Reality: Manual ways usually fail to give results in bulk operations & larger datasets.
Myth 2: You can ignore email attachments during conversion.
Reality: Always make sure that email attachments are included.
Myth 3: There cannot be any formatting loss through manual ways.
Reality: Manual attempts are likely to break your email structure.
Pro Tip: Always preview your converted files for ensuring accuracy & completeness.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Ques: How is it possible to save many EML files as PDFs in bulk without Outlook?
Ans: This is possible by the use of a standalone pro converter that processes multiple files in bulk without needing Outlook installation.
Ques: Is this conversion going to affect my native EML files?
Ans: No, not at all! An expert pro tool is going to read only your data for creating a fresh PDF, thus leaving your original EML file(s) totally unaltered & completely secure.
Relax and Revise!
- PDF files give better safety than EML files.
- PDF format is universal and PDF documents are portable.
- Turning EML files into PDF format helps in legal works, backups, & printing.
- Manual techniques are free but work best only for converting some emails.
- The advanced tool can bulk convert EML to PDF with no loss.
- People are progressive these days so many users prefer the pro option.
Conclusion
If you convert EML to PDF, you will get your critical email communication in a portable, safe & convenient format. While manual tactics work only occasionally for one file or a few files, they usually lack the power required for professional usage. People walking in the corporate corridors are highly progressive these days, so they all prefer the pro alternative to this solution as their go-to tool.

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