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How to Batch Convert PST to TXT With and Without Outlook?

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Direct Answer: The best way to convert PST to TXT with Outlook Classic is to open an email in it, click on File, select Save As, choose the Text Only (*.txt) option, and hit the Save button. Apart from this, there is no such option available in Outlook New to do this conversion. However, for batch, corrupted, and customized conversion, use a dedicated PST to TXT Converter that works smartly and does not need Outlook’s dependency.

If your purpose is to access the Outlook PST data in a simple text file for easy multi-platform compatibility, sharing, searching, analysing, and so on, then this is the guide you must read. This is a tried and tested blog to convert PST to text file with ease and efficiency. It has everything covered for you, including the difference between both file formats, reasons, manual and professional ways, their pros and cons, commonly asked queries, expert tips, and much more. Therefore, by the end of this blog post, you would surely master this query.

Convert PST to TXT vs Convert PST to Text File

To keep no scope of confusion, the process to save PST to TXT and the process to save PST to Text File are completely the same. Therefore, both output options mean that the user wants to extract the PST data and save it in a plain text format that comes in a .txt extension file.

Thus, the only thing that makes them look different is the terminology. This means when the user searches for the result to convert PST to TXT, they are very particular about the file extension .txt. On the other hand, when the user searches to export Outlook PST to text file, they just want the data in a readable text format. Hence, the intent of both queries is the same and does not require different approaches to do the conversion.

Introduction to PST and TXT File Format

PST file stands for Personal Storage Table, and it is Microsoft Outlook’s mailbox data format. A PST file contains a range of elements including emails, calendars, contacts, notes, tasks, and more. In addition to that, it can be easily opened in Outlook but needs third-party support to access in any other platform.

On the other hand, a TXT file is a plain text file that only supports characters and line breaks. Apart from this, it does not support fonts, colors, images, hyperlinks, signatures, tables, formatting, and so on. A text file like this can be easily opened in any text editor such as Notepad++, Geany, Microsoft Notepad, EditPad Lite, Atom, Visual Studio Code, DocPad, and many other text editors.

Why Convert PST to TXT File?

• Many e-discovery tools support a text file rather than any proprietary file.
• TXT file helps in easy searching with multiple scripts and that too without manipulating the PST’s original binary structure.
• Various AI summarization tools, analytical scripts, and NLP pipelines ask for TXT file as their input format.
• PST files are dependent on Outlook, whereas having a text file not only gives you easy access on any platform but also makes long-term archiving of files easier.
• From Mac and Windows to Linux and Smartphones, a text file can be opened, shared, and edited on any device.
• PST files are large in size, whereas due to its rich text format, TXT files are very storage-friendly.
• Finding, editing, or omitting the data inside a PST file is very easy once it gets converted to TXT format.

How to Convert PST to TXT With Outlook Classic?

Outlook Classic has an in-built option to export PST to text files without using any third-party tool or plugin. However, there are some limitations that a user must read to ensure data safety and efficiency. The details to follow this way are mentioned below.

Prerequisites:

• Outlook Classic installed and active on the device.
• PST files already present in Outlook Classic.
• Stable internet connection.
• PST files should not be damaged or corrupted.
• System storage space as per the output text files’ size.
• Enough user time if the process includes bulk PST files for conversion.

Steps for conversion:

1. Firstly, open Outlook Classic, go to your mailbox folder, and select the PST email you want to save as text file.
2. Then, click on the File option from the top-right corner and select the Save As option as shown below.
   
3. Now, in the Save as type, click on the drop-down arrow and choose Text Only (*.txt).
   
4. Further, give it a saving name and path. Once done, click the Save button to export Outlook PST to text file.
   
5. Finally, go to the destination path and access the resultant TXT file.
   

Points to Consider:

• This manual method allows you to convert PST to TXT files one by one. Hence, it seems a time-consuming process for batch and large-sized PST to text file conversion.
• If you have an orphaned PST file, then you cannot use it because Microsoft Outlook is mandatory to perform the process.
• Not a convenient solution for non-Outlook users, as this method is completely dependent on Outlook Classic.
• Does not support all the attributes of the PST file.
• The folder structure does not remain the same, as well as user does not get enough advanced options for customization.
• Also, the user must have some technical knowledge to perform the complete process correctly since this method is prone to human error.

How to Export PST to Text File With New Outlook?

Unlike Outlook Classic, there is no direct option available in New Outlook to convert PST file to TXT format. Thus, during the Microsoft Outlook New rollout, it removed the Save as Type options and has not restored them till now. In such a case, the user has two instant solutions. It includes either switching to Outlook Classic and using the built-in Save As Text Only option or getting a reliable PST to TXT Converter which has advanced options in the simplest interface.

How Does Outlook PST to TXT Converter Work?

This is a professional utility with a self-explanatory interface. Therefore, users with basic technical knowledge can easily understand, access, and convert PST file to text format using this desktop-based software. The detailed steps are as follows:

1. Start PST to TXT Converter and add PST file items in GUI using any of the two given options. If you want to fetch the PST directly from the configured Outlook account, then choose the first option. And, if you have PST files saved locally on the device, then go with the second option with Select Files and Select Folders mode.
   
2. The tool shows all the PST folders in the software panel, so choose specific folders by checking them. Once done, click on Next.
   
3. From the Select Saving Option, click on the downward arrow and choose TXT as the saving format.
   
4. Select the Destination Path and File Naming Option to easily access and organize the output files.
5. Once done, click on the Convert button to start the process to convert PST to TXT format.

Features of Professional Tool

• Batch Conversion Capability: Users can convert multiple PST files in a single run. This eliminates the manual effort and saves time. This feature is helpful for organizations handling large email volumes.
• Recovery Mode for Corrupted Files: The tool can smoothly convert corrupted, damaged, or inaccessible PST files by using the Recovery Mode feature. It ensures efficient conversion with no data loss.
• Advanced Filtering and Selective Conversion: Users can convert particular data by using filters based on date range, sender, recipient, email subject, and can exclude unwanted or empty folders during conversion.
• Data Integrity: Software maintains PST file data integrity. It keeps email headers, folder order, HTML formatting, attachments, inline images, sender/receiver information & all mailbox items in their original form without losing any details.
• Smart File Naming Options: The software offers multiple file naming options based on date, sender, recipient & subject. It makes it easier to manage and organize the output files.
• Multiple Saving Options: This tool not only converts PST to TXT, but it also allows users to convert Outlook email to plain text, MSG, EML, PDF, & many more.

Apart from this, fast conversion speed, 24×7 customer support, remote certified services, virus-free installation, and feature customization are some other major features that BitRecover PST to TXT Converter offers to its users.

Manual Method vs Professional Solution

Conclusion

From the above discussion, we can see that many users got stuck when exporting Outlook PST emails in text, as they could not find a reliable way to do so. Therefore, in the above write-up, we have introduced you to 2 best and quick approaches.  The professional method gives professional output with complete control over file selection, saving format, naming options, saving path, and so on. Whereas the manual method is majorly restrictive but works fine if you have to convert only one or two PST files to TXT.