matijs.net — Software

MSGConvert FAQ

Here are answers to some of the questions I've been asked over the years. Some of the answers may not be up-to-date anymore, but I try to revisit them once in a while.

Do you know how to create .MSG files?

I have some idea of how it could be done, but currently, MSGConvert will not do it for you, and adding that functionality will require a substantial rewrite. In the meantime, you can try one of the following:

• Use Outlook. If you actually want to create .MSG files, my guess is you have the program that can read them. Possibly, Outlook exports an API you can use.
• If you just want Outlook to create messages so Outlook will read them, you can put your messages on a mail server. Outlook can talk to IMAP and POP3 servers just fine.

Can you give me information about the .MSG format?

I can't give complete documentation, but here are some pointers:

• .MSG files are OLE files, which are basically little file systems. So, inside there are files (used for properties) and folders (used for addresses and attachments).
• The properties inside the .MSG files are MAPI properties. The meaning of these properties can be found on the Microsoft developer web site. They store everything from original headers to the different types of message bodies. Some properties are not relevant for the conversion to standard MIME.
• You can look at the source code of the Email::Outlook::Message module for more details.
• Have a look at the documentation for the ruby-msg project Its function is similar to MSGConvert, but it's written in Ruby.
• Update: Microsoft now provides documentation on some of its file formats, including the .MSG File Format and the .PST File Format.

How can I mass-convert my Outlook mail?

MSGConvert is not well suited for that, since you would first have to save each single message to a file from inside Outlook.

You can have Outlook store your messages on an IMAP server, and then use another mail client to read them again, or you can install Thunderbird and ask it to import your Outlook messages. Other email clients may also be able to import your email from Outlook.

You could also save your Outlook folders as .PST files, and try to convert that (see the next question). I don't recommend this, however.

Do you know how to convert <whatever> into <something else>?

The short answer is: No, I don't.

The long answer is: MSGConvert only handles .MSG files, and it turns them into mbox or MIME files. It doesn't do any other conversions.

However, I know of some other conversions to mbox format:

• Outlook folder files (.PST files): You may want to take a look at ol2mbox. Last time I tried this, it didn't work very well. YMMV. If you have Outlook available, I recommend loading them with that and using one of the solutions in the previous question. Update: See also the question on the .MSG file format above.
• .EML files: These are produced by (at least) Outlook Express 5, and they are already in multipart MIME format.

I have .MSG files that contain <whatever>. Will your program convert it?

If it's not an Outlook file, no, and it never will. If it is, then perhaps. Basically, MSGConvert will give you the body text as plain text, the HTML version if available, and any regular attachments. Someone asked me about Audio Notes. I don't know what those are, but perhaps someone can send me a .MSG file containing one.

Do you know how to do <whatever> with Outlook?

If it's something non-trivial, I don't know it, so you're better off looking at the help file. I don't really use Outlook much anymore myself.