How to Export Office 365 Emails to EML (2026 Updated Guide)

Why is the EML format ideal for Office 365 Email Export?

There are several situations where users export Microsoft 365 emails to EML becomes useful:

• This is useful to create a local backup of important emails.
• When a user wants to open their emails in multiple email clients.
• Moreover, the EML format is good for legal documentation or compliance.
• This format keeps the email in a simple and portable form.

Best Ways to Export Office 365 Emails to EML

Below are the methods that help to export your Office 365 emails into EML format. In this guide, we cover all the methods to convert single emails and bulk emails. Based on your requirements, you can proceed with any method to convert Office 365 Emails to EML.

1. Single Email Export Via (OWA)
2. Bulk Export via Thunderbird
3. Professional Office 365 Backup Tool

Manual Method 01: For Single Email Export Use Outlook Web App (OWA)

If you want to export a single email, then you can proceed with this method. It is available for all the operating systems (Windows/Mac/Linux).

Steps to Save Office 365 Emails as EML

1. To initiate the process, open your web browser and go to Outlook.
2. Then, log in through your Office 365 credentials, and then navigate to the Inbox.
3. Afterward, click on the email you want to export.
4. In the opened email, locate (…) in the top-right corner.
5. Now, tap on those three dots and select the “Save As” option.
6. Next, you need to choose a location on your computer.
7. In the end, the email will download as an .eml file.

Manual Method 02: Mozilla Thunderbird For Bulk Export

This method is useful for users who have a Thunderbird account. It keeps attachments and metadata intact and supports thousands of emails. We divide the steps into three parts for clear understanding to export Office 365 Emails to EML.

Part 01: Set Up Thunderbird with Office 365

1. Download and install Mozilla Thunderbird from its official website.
2. Then, open Thunderbird and click on Set up an existing email account.
3. Now, enter your name, Office 365 email address, and password, and click Continue.
4. Next, select IMAP and click on the Done button.
5. Afterward, wait for Thunderbird to sync your mailbox.

Part 02: Export Single Emails as EML

1. To begin, open Thunderbird and then navigate to your synced mailbox.
2. After that, select an email and right-click on it.
3. Then, click on Save As >> File and choose a location.
4. Now, the emails will be saved as an .eml file.

Part 03: Bulk Export Emails

1. In Thunderbird, go to Menu >> Add-ons and Themes.
2. Then, search for ImportExportTools NG and click Add to Thunderbird >> Confirm installation.
3. Thereafter, right-click the folder you want to export.
4. Now, navigate to ImportExportTools NG >> Export all messages in folder >> EML format.
5. Next, you have to choose the EML format (one file per email).
6. Afterward, select a destination folder and click OK.
7. Finally, Thunderbird will export all emails as individual .eml files.

Disadvantages of the Manual Method

Common Issues Users Face

Most of the users run into a problem when exporting their emails, such as:

• Their emails do not open after the conversion.
• After the conversion, the email attachments are missing.
• When using the manual method, the performance is low with large mailboxes.
• Most importantly, it does not have the option for bulk export.

Method 03: Faster Way to Export Office 365 Emails to EML

For bulk export and accurate results, you can use the Microsoft 365 Backup Tool. This software is beneficial for individuals and organizations to export bulk emails more quickly. Moreover, it maintains a folder hierarchy for attachments that helps users to quickly find their emails. Also, it offers various file formats to convert Office 365 Emails to PDF, PST, MSG, and more.

Simple Steps to Download Emails from Office 365 to EML

1. Firstly, download the Microsoft 365 Backup Tool on your system.
2. Then, select single mode and enter Office 365 login credentials >> Sign in.
3. Thereafter, select the mailbox folder from where you want to export files >> Next.
4. Now, it will fetch and load the mailbox folders, preview, and click on Next to proceed.
5. Next, select EML as the output & enable the filters for selective conversion >> Next.
6. At last, click on the path to save and then click on Download to start the process.

Quick Comparison: Manual vs Professional Method

Best Practices for Safe Export

Follow these tips to avoid errors at the time of data export.

• You need to always check the mailbox data before export.
• Make sure to keep a backup of your data before the export process begins.
• Moreover, you can use a filter to export only the required emails.
• If you have a large amount of mailbox data, then avoid the manual method.

Conclusion

To wrap up, exporting Office 365 emails to EML format is quite difficult, but with the right approach, the conversion becomes easy. In this guide, we covered the most reliable approaches that accomplish the export process. While the manual method works best for small mailboxes. Therefore, it is recommended to use professional software for a quick and accurate export. If you are stuck when export Office 365 Emails to EML, then contact our technical experts via chat.

Frequently Asked Questions