How to Edit EML File Directly with Safety? Best & Free Ways
Fact-checked and reviewed in accordance with our Editorial Policy
You can edit EML file using a plain-text editor such as Notepad or by using a dedicated tool that helps you to convert EML files into an editable format. As EML files store individual email messages along with sender, receiver, subject, date, message body, and attachments. In this blog, you will learn how to edit EML file without damaging its original structure
Fortunately, there are multiple ways to edit and make changes into an EML file. You can either use a good text editor for some basic changes or to open it in an email client for limited editing or use a professional solution to have a good control over EML data.
What is an EML File?
An EML or .eml file saves email messages stored in a plain text format that preserves the email’s original content, metadata, headers, or attachments. It contains sender and receiver information, date, subject line, etc. It can contain plain text or HTML formatting and hyperlinks. All the attachments and images are encoded in it using MIME format.
Prerequisites Before Starting the EML Editing Process
- Ensure you already have the email clients installed on your system to avoid any last-minute confusion before starting the EML modification process.
- Always keep a copy of the EML file safe on your local storage before starting the EML modification process.
- Cross-check that you are using the latest version of email clients. An outdated version of the email client may not support importing EML files and advanced features for editing EML files.
Free Ways to Modify EML File Using Outlook or Thunderbird
If you are a Windows or Mac OS user and need to edit EML files using your email client, then you can do so using your email client. To make the process cleaner, we are going to explain two separate methods for editing an EML file based on different OS users. For Windows users, we will use the Outlook email client. However, for users using a Mac device, we will be using the Thunderbird email client. Now, let us understand how we can modify any EML file for free on our respective devices.
Read More: How to Extract EML Email Address?
How to Edit EML File Using Outlook on Windows?
- First, locate the EML file on your desktop.
- Next, right-click on the EML file and choose Open with Outlook (classic).
- Then, click on the Move button from the ribbon and select Draft folder.
- After that, go to the Draft folder and click the EML file moved in the last step.
- Finally, you can edit the EML file just as you edit a new email from the right panel.
How to Modify EML File Using Thunderbird on Mac OS?
- First, locate the EML file on your Mac.
- Next, open Thunderbird and keep it side-by-side with the Finder window.
- Then, drag and drop the located EML file to Thunderbird in any folder.
- After that, open the dropped EML file and right-click on it in the viewing panel.
- Finally, select the Edit as New Message option to edit the EML file using Thunderbird.
Tips to Avoid EML File Corruption During Editing
- Avoid Using a Text Editor for Complex EML File Edits.
- Use Consistent Encoding for EML Files.
- Do Not Edit Attachments Directly Inside the EML File within an email client.
- Avoid Renaming the EML File Extension Directly.
- Avoid Editing While the EML File Is in Use.
How to Convert and Edit EML Files using EML Editor?
For complex EML edits, it is suggested to initially convert the EML files into an editable format using the trusted EML converter Tool and then edit it. To do so, you first need to install the suggested utility. Since this utility is equipped with several editable format options, like converting EML to PDF, DOC, TXT, HTML, etc. You can then easily edit your EML files. Now, let us learn how to use the recommended application.
- At the start, download and run the recommended utility.
- Next, click on the Select File or Select Folders option to add EML files.
- Preview all uploaded data into the panel.
- Apply Advanced Filter Options for selective conversion to make your EML files easy to edit, view and share.
- After that, enable the EML file for conversion and select the editable format saving option such as PDF and DOC.
- Finally, choose the storage path and click Convert to turn EML into an editable format.
Features of the Professional Solution
- Offers to convert EML files to PDF and DOC format to easily edit EML files.
- Allows you to selectively convert EML files into editable format via advanced filter.
- Offers multiple naming options to save the editable file into your local storage.
- Guarantees to keep the entire data safe and secure throughout the procedure.
- Preserves all important data along with the attachments while maintaining hierarchy.
- Offers technical support 24/7 to guide and assist all the users for a smooth process.
Comparison Between Methods: Choose the Best One
| Comparison Factor | Outlook on Windows | Thunderbird on Mac | Professional Solution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Windows | Mac OS | Windows & Mac |
| Cost | Free | Free | Licensed/Professional |
| Ease of Use | Easy | Easy | Very Easy |
| Best For | Editing individual EML files | Editing EML files on Mac | Bulk and complex EML editing |
| Bulk Editing | Limited | Limited | Bulk Editing data |
| Advanced Filters | No | No | Yes |
| Editable Formats | Email format | Email format | PDF, DOC, HTML, TXT |
| Attachments | Supported | Supported | Preserved |
| Data Hierarchy | Basic | Basic | Preserved |
| Selective Conversion or Editing | No | No | No |
| Technical Support | Depends on email client | Community-based | Available 24/7 |
Concluding Thoughts
In conclusion to the above blog on the topic of how to edit EML files using email clients. We have discussed two working techniques to overcome your problem for both Mac and Windows. To solve the EML edit problem for Windows users, we have seen how to modify EML file using Outlook. Secondly, for Mac users, we have seen how to use Thunderbird to overcome the user query. Lastly, we have discussed an EML Editor to solve the complex EML file editing problem.
About the Author
