How to Convert Thunderbird Email to PDF in Easy Steps

Why Do Users Export Thunderbird to PDF?

Numerous factors make it necessary for users to convert Thunderbird to PDF format. Some major ones are given here:

• Windows, Android, Mac, etc., devices support PDF files universally.
• It is easier to access, open, edit, print, and share PDFs than MBOX files.
• PDFs can easily be locked or password-protected for security or unauthorized access prevention concerns.
• Can be used as documentation and identification proofs in any field whenever required.
• Data remains accessible every time, online or offline, and is platform-independent.
• PDF files consume less storage space and are simple to manage, keeping data preserved.

Best Ways to Convert Thunderbird Email to PDF

In the vast range of solutions available for file format conversion, we bring you the most effective ones. Here, understand the free manual ways and an expert tool to perform the data conversion successfully. Apart from that, find out the benefits and challenges encountered with these methods in the stepwise guide below.

Cost-Free Ways to Save Thunderbird File as PDF

In this section, we explore the two manual methods available for this conversion task. Both methods are simple and can be performed easily.

Method 1: One-by-One Thunderbird to PDF Conversion

This method utilizes the built-in Print feature in the Thunderbird application. The steps are:

1. Open Mozilla Thunderbird and navigate to Inbox emails.
2. Then, open the mail to save and press Ctrl + P. The Print window shows up.
3. Further, set the Print destination there to Save As PDF and check more settings.
4. Click Save, and when the Save As dialog appears, pick a folder to save the PDF file.
5. Finally, give it a name and press Save to import Thunderbird email to PDF.

The file will immediately be saved on the desktop. You can look for the converted Thunderbird to PDF file now.

Method 2: Mass Convert Thunderbird Email to PDF Manually

To save multiple Thunderbird MBOX emails as PDFs at the same time, you can use its add-on feature. Through it, you can add an ImportExport extension that supports bulk transfers. Follow these steps:

1. Begin Thunderbird and open Add-ons and Themes from More.
2. Then, search add-on ImportExportTools NG. Once it appears, click +Add to Thunderbird.
3. Once it is enabled, choose the Thunderbird folder you want to convert and right-click it.
4. Tap ImportExportTools NG in the appeared list. Expand its list and opt for Export all messages in the folder.
5. Further, click PDF format, and once you do so, a warning pop-up will appear. Click OK.
6. Afterward, another warning pop-up appears, asking for confirmation to import data without attachments. Press OK.
7. In the dialog, select a folder to convert Thunderbird email to PDF and tap on Select Folder.
8. The export starts. Once it completes, go to the specified folder to check all the PDFs.

Shortcomings of the Manual Method

• Repetition of steps in the Print method and suitable only for a few emails.
• Batch mode converts only one folder at a time and does not export attachments.
• Both manual processes are time-consuming for many Thunderbird emails or folders.
• Meta data and the original data structure of Thunderbird emails are affected.

Export Thunderbird to PDF Using Automated Tool

By using the SysInfo Thunderbird Backup Tool, you can convert a large number of Thunderbird emails with attachments at once. This versatile software exports emails without losing data structure or integrity into the desired file format. The tool gives several advanced beneficial features and filter options to make conversion smooth. Moreover, it can run on any Windows OS through a technical or non-technical user. The takeaway features of this excellent tool are:

• Convert Thunderbird email to PDF from multiple folders at the same time in seconds.
• Convert Thunderbird email to PST, CSV, and more formats other than PDF.
• Preview before conversion and option to migrate data selectively without duplicates.
• Transfer Thunderbird emails to new computer easily with attachments.

Steps to Save Thunderbird File as PDF

1. Run the Thunderbird Email Backup utility. Choose your account profile and tap Next.
2. Preview the folders in it and select those to export from the tree structure. Click Next.
3. Further, choose PDF from the option list of Save/Migrate As and pick filters.
4. Press Path to Save and select a location from the open dialog. Click OK.
5. At last, click on Convert to change Thunderbird emails into PDF format.

Conclusion

To sum up, convert Thunderbird email to PDF with the manual methods or a professional tool given above. The Print and Add-on methods are free but not suitable for large amounts of emails. Also, they are time-consuming procedures and need a lot of effort. Whereas, the professional tool is simple, interactive, and speedy in exporting Thunderbird emails. So, it is best to save the time and effort without worries.

Frequently Asked Questions

About The Author:

Lovely Baghel

Lovely specializes in technical writing for SysInfoTools Software and has over 2 year of experience writing blogs, and articles about databases & backup, email recovery, email migration & management solutions. Her passion is researching and developing content that helps Office users, professionals, administrators, enterprises, and novices solve multiple problems.