Convert to Email with advanced options Leave feedback

GroupDocs.Conversion provides EmailConvertOptions for converting between email formats. Important: EmailConvertOptions is specifically for email-to-email format conversions (e.g., MSG to EML), not for converting general documents to email formats.

Convert MSG files to EML format with default options:

using (var converter = new Converter("message.msg"))
{
    var options = new EmailConvertOptions();
    converter.Convert("message.eml", options);
}

The most common email format conversion - from Outlook MSG to standard EML:

using (var converter = new Converter("newsletter.msg"))
{
    var options = new EmailConvertOptions
    {
        Format = EmailFileType.Eml
    };
    converter.Convert("newsletter.eml", options);
}

Convert Outlook messages to Apple Mail format:

using (var converter = new Converter("meeting-invite.msg"))
{
    var options = new EmailConvertOptions
    {
        Format = EmailFileType.Emlx
    };
    converter.Convert("meeting-invite.emlx", options);
}

Convert standard EML files to Outlook MSG format:

using (var converter = new Converter("customer-inquiry.eml"))
{
    var options = new EmailConvertOptions
    {
        Format = EmailFileType.Msg
    };
    converter.Convert("customer-inquiry.msg", options);
}

EmailConvertOptions works with the following email formats:

• EML - RFC-822 standard email format (most email clients)
• EMLX - Apple Mail email format (macOS Mail app)
• MSG - Microsoft Outlook and Exchange format
• VCF - Virtual Card Format (contact information)
• MBOX - Container format for email collections
• PST - Outlook Personal Storage Files
• OST - Outlook Offline Storage Files
• OLM - Microsoft Outlook for macOS format

Note: Not all format combinations are supported. The library supports commonly used conversions like MSG↔EML, MSG→EMLX, etc.

MSG is the proprietary format used by Microsoft Outlook:

• Advantages: Preserves Outlook-specific formatting, supports rich metadata
• Platform: Windows Outlook, Exchange Server
• Use Case: Enterprise email systems, Outlook integration

EML is the standard RFC-822 email format:

• Advantages: Universal compatibility, plain text based
• Platform: Cross-platform (Thunderbird, Windows Mail, macOS Mail, webmail)
• Use Case: Email archival, cross-platform compatibility, email backups

EMLX is Apple’s implementation of the EML standard:

• Advantages: Optimized for macOS Mail, includes additional metadata
• Platform: macOS Mail application
• Use Case: Mac-specific email workflows, Apple ecosystem integration

Migrate email archives between different email clients:

// Convert Outlook MSG archive to standard EML for cross-platform use
using (var converter = new Converter("archive-2024.msg"))
{
    var options = new EmailConvertOptions
    {
        Format = EmailFileType.Eml
    };
    converter.Convert("archive-2024.eml", options);
}

Move from Windows Outlook to macOS Mail:

// Convert MSG emails to EMLX for Apple Mail
using (var converter = new Converter("important-emails.msg"))
{
    var options = new EmailConvertOptions
    {
        Format = EmailFileType.Emlx
    };
    converter.Convert("important-emails.emlx", options);
}

Convert proprietary formats to standards-based formats:

// Standardize various email formats to EML
using (var converter = new Converter("meeting-notes.msg"))
{
    var options = new EmailConvertOptions
    {
        Format = EmailFileType.Eml
    };
    converter.Convert("meeting-notes.eml", options);
}

Ensure emails can be opened in different email clients:

// Convert EML to MSG for Outlook users
using (var converter = new Converter("customer-feedback.eml"))
{
    var options = new EmailConvertOptions
    {
        Format = EmailFileType.Msg
    };
    converter.Convert("customer-feedback.msg", options);
}

Use EmailConvertOptions when you need to:

• Migrate email systems between different platforms (Outlook ↔ Apple Mail ↔ Thunderbird)
• Archive emails in standard formats for long-term storage
• Ensure compatibility across different email clients
• Convert between formats for workflow integration
• Standardize email formats within an organization
• Support multi-platform email access

EmailConvertOptions is not for converting general documents to email formats:

// ❌ This will NOT work - cannot convert PDF to email format
using (var converter = new Converter("document.pdf"))
{
    var options = new EmailConvertOptions { Format = EmailFileType.Msg };
    converter.Convert("document.msg", options); // ConversionNotSupportedException
}

EmailConvertOptions works with:

• Email formats converting to other email formats
• Some format combinations may not be supported (e.g., MSG to MBOX)

To convert email messages to documents (PDF, DOCX, etc.), use the appropriate ConvertOptions for the target format:

// ✅ Convert email to PDF
using (var converter = new Converter("message.msg"))
{
    var options = new PdfConvertOptions();
    converter.Convert("message.pdf", options);
}

// ✅ Convert email to Word document
using (var converter = new Converter("newsletter.eml"))
{
    var options = new WordProcessingConvertOptions();
    converter.Convert("newsletter.docx", options);
}

1. Choose the right target format:

   • Use EML for maximum cross-platform compatibility
   • Use MSG for Outlook-specific workflows
   • Use EMLX for macOS Mail integration

2. Test format combinations:

   • Not all email-to-email conversions are supported
   • Verify your specific conversion path works before batch processing

3. Preserve email structure:

   • Email formats preserve headers, attachments, and metadata differently
   • Test conversions to ensure critical information is retained

4. Handle attachments appropriately:

   • Email attachments are typically preserved during format conversion
   • Use AttachmentContentHandler for custom attachment processing needs

EmailConvertOptions provides control over email format conversions:

• Email-to-Email conversions: Convert between MSG, EML, EMLX, and other email formats
• Platform migration: Move emails between different email clients and platforms
• Format standardization: Convert proprietary formats to standards-based formats
• Important limitation: Cannot convert general documents to email formats

All examples on this page have been verified through automated testing to ensure accuracy.

• Convert Email Formats - Basic Usage
• Load Email Documents with Options
• Convert Email Attachments
• EmailConvertOptions API Reference
• EmailFileType API Reference