How to Export IMAP Emails to CSV Format? Easy Solution

Reasons to Export Emails from IMAP to CSV

The primary reasons for which individuals, IT admins, professionals, businesses, and enterprises prefer the import are:

• CSV is lightweight, universally compatible, and easily accessible with MS Excel, Google Sheets, and others.
• Enables swift review of timestamps, sender/recipient info, and subject details in a sorted table for audits.
• Maintain searchable communication logs and records for legal compliance and evidence.
• Create visual dashboards from email clients for reliable data analysis and progress monitoring.
• Transform unstructured message email communications into actionable and trackable insights.

Manual Method to Convert IMAP Emails to CSV

Microsoft Outlook allows you to set up IMAP accounts and export emails to a PST file, which you can later convert to CSV. Below are instructions on how to do it step by step : 

Step 1: Set up IMAP Account in Outlook

1. Opening Microsoft Outlook, navigate to File >> Add Account.
2. In the new dialog, provide your IMAP credentials (email, password, incoming/outgoing server).
3. Wait while Outlook syncs all mail folders. Restart Outlook to check IMAP folders appearing on the left.

Step 2: Export IMAP Emails to CSV

1. Within Outlook, move to File >> Open & Export >> Import/Export.
2. There, select Export to a file → Next → Comma Separated Values (CSV) → Next.
3. Further, select the IMAP folder you want to export (i.e., Inbox, Sent Items). Tap Next.
4. After that, browse to select a destination path, and click Next.
5. Lastly, Map the Fields to ensure data is recorded correctly and click Finish.

This will produce a CSV file with the sender, recipient, subject, and timestamps.

Shortcomings of the Free Method 

• Does not include attachments or HTML formatting.
• Complex and tiring for multiple mailboxes or larger datasets.
• Risk of partial export if Outlook sync is not complete.
• Does not allow for selective filters (i.e., date range, specific folders). 
• Requires an active Outlook profile and is time-consuming, since no automation.

Note: For power users or IT administrators managing multiple mailbox exports, automation is good for assuring data accuracy while improving actual time to perform exports.

Comprehensive Method to Export IMAP Emails to CSV

MailConverterTools IMAP Backup Tool is an all-in-one solution to bulk export IMAP emails in a structured CSV. It simplifies the entire process by directly connecting to your IMAP server with secure OAuth authentication in no time. Additionally, it has no Outlook dependency, and the self-explanatory interface suits all novice and techies. Moreover, multiple IMAP accounts are connected simultaneously on Mac and Windows OS without any human effort, and provide complete data integrity and precision. 

Quickly Working to Convert IMAP Email to CSV

1. Start the IMAP Mail Backup Tool and click Continue below Prequisites at opening.
2. Then, enter the credentials for your account based on the mode of account opted for. Press Login.
3. Afterward, from the tree view, select all the folders you need to extract and click Next.
4. Further, choose CSV format from the listed formats and pick a destination. Tap Next.
5. Finally, apply all the filters provided to customize and tap Start Process. 

Conclusion

Export IMAP emails to CSV can be an excellent approach to structure raw communication data into insights. For infrequent users, using Outlook’s manual export feature is typically sufficient. However, for multiple accounts and large volumes of emails, a manual process is limited by risks. Having the option for a professional-level IMAP to CSV Exporter fills in these functional gaps, ensures data quality, and allows organizations to efficiently and reliably control their email data. 

Frequently Asked Questions

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