How to Use ImportExportTools NG in Thunderbird?

ImportExportTools NG is a significant feature in Thunderbird that allows users to import and export emails, address books, and other data. However, this feature is not available with Thunderbird by default. Users are required to download it manually in Add-ons.

Since it is an important Thunderbird tool, users must know how to install it and use it. Below, we will discuss the step-by-step process to install and use ImportExportTools in Thunderbird.

How to Install ImportExportTools NG in Thunderbird?

Here are the steps to add ImportExportTools NG in Thunderbird:

Step 1. Open your Thunderbird application.

Step 2. Click on Tools on the Menu bar. Use ALTkey to unhide the Menu, if it is hidden.

Step 3. Click on the Add-ons option. It will open a new window. Enter ‘ImportExportTools NG’ in the search bar and press Enter.

Step 4. Now, select the Add-on that is compatible with your Thunderbird version. Click on the Add to Thunderbird button.

Step 5. Once installation is complete, click the Restart button.

How we can use ImportExportTools NG in Thunderbird?

There are three different methods to use ImportExportTools NG add-on in Thunderbird.

For Complete Email Account

When you right-click on your Email Account and select ImportExportTools NG, it offers a list of options. These include:

Export All Folders: This option allows you to save all the mailbox folders as separate MBOX files, like Inbox, Draft, Trash, and also subfolders at the selected destination.

Export all folders (without disturbing structure): It is similar to ‘Export all folders’, except that it exports all the folders by maintaining the proper folder hierarchy.

Search and Export: This option allows you to store a specific mailbox folder as a separate MBOX file by entering in the search option with different criteria.

Import MBOX File: This allows you to import MBOX file into the Thunderbird application.

Copy folder path on disk: This allows you to save the location of the folder on disk.

Open directory to locate folder file: This gives you the option to find the local destination of your email account.

For Mailbox Folder

When you right-click on the mailbox folder and select ImportExportTools NG, it will display a list of options to choose from. These are:

Export folder: The gives you the option to save all mailbox folders as separate MBOX files. It allows you to save multiple folders and subfolders at your selected destination.

Export folder (zipped): The option exports folders to a compressed folder.

Export folder and subfolder without disturbing structure: It allows you to export the mailbox folders, along with subfolders, in MBOX file with proper hierarchy.

Export all messages in the folder: This option allows you to export email messages in different file formats, like EML, HTML, Plain Text, Single Text, CSV, PDF, etc.

Search and Export: This option allows you to save a specific mailbox folder as a separate MBOX file by entering different criteria in the search option.

Import MBOX file: This option helps you import MBOX files into Thunderbird.

Import all messages from directory: It allows you to import messages from directory and its subdirectories.

Copy Folder path on disk: This option allows you to save the location of the folder on disk.

Open directory to find the folder file: This option allows you to find the local destination of your mailbox folder.

For Email Messages

When you select email messages for exporting using ImportExportTools NG, right-click on the selected email messages, and then select Save, it provides you multiple options to save the messages. These include EML format, HTML format, HTML with attachment, Plain Text format, Plain Text with attachment, Spreadsheet (CSV), PDF format, etc.

Using ImportExportTools NG to Import MBOX File

Before proceeding, you must know that you cannot import MBOX files directly into an IMAP account. Hence, ensure that you have either selected a POP account or Local Folders. Then, follow the steps given below:

• Go to Tools and then click on ImportExportTools NG. From there, click on Import MBOX file.

• This will open the ‘Files MBOX import’ dialog box. Select the option as per your preferences and then click OK.
• Select the MBOX file from your PC that you want to import. Your file will be successfully imported.

Using ImportExportTools NG to Export Mailbox Folder

Here are the steps to export Thunderbird emails.

• First, select the mailbox folder that you want to export, like Inbox, Sent Items, etc.
• Right-click on the items, select ImportExportToolsNG, and click Export folder.

• Now, select the location where you want to export the file and click the Select folder button.

Conclusion

This article discussed the Thunderbird ImportExportTools NG in detail. It explained the complete process of using this feature. In case Thunderbird ImportExportTools NG is not working and you want to export Thunderbird emails to Outlook, then you can use Stellar Converter for MBOX software for a dynamic and easy conversion process. This software is designed to convert MBOX to PST and various other formats, including EML, MSG, RTF, HTML, and PDF. This MBOX to PST converter offers a range of options, such as selectively converting specific folders, previewing converted files before saving, and filtering emails by date range, sender, etc. It also supports batch conversion of multiple MBOX files at once.