Simple Steps to Export Thunderbird Emails to CSV Format

Written By Amit Chandel
Updated on September 27th, 2025

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David Query: “As a senior analyst, I have to analyze email communication trends (like sender details, subject lines, or timestamps). Analyzing them in Excel or Google Sheets makes it very easy. For this reason, I am searching for solutions to convert Thunderbird emails into CSV. Is it possible to do without any data loss?”

A CSV file enables you to save data in a tabular and structured format. Saving emails in a CSV file helps users to analyze data easily. Export Thunderbird emails to CSV is ideal for quick reference and handover of work to a replacement employee. Also, CSV allows them to keep only the essential details (date, sender, subject, recipients) without heavy attachments. In this blog, we will cover different manual solutions and a professional MailConverterTools Thunderbird Backup Software.

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Gain to Export Emails from Thunderbird to CSV

Exporting the file to CSV from Thunderbird provides more flexibility. As we all know, CSV files are widely accessible. Moreover, it has several benefits as mentioned below:

A CSV file can be opened in Google Sheets or Excel.
Using a CSV file makes data easy to sort, filter, and analyze.
All spreadsheet tools, databases, and CRM systems support CSV.
Emails stored in a CSV file are easy to group, categorize, or search quickly without an email client.
CSV ensures that email records remain readable in the future without relying on Thunderbird.

Manual Methods to Export Thunderbird Emails to CSV

This method describes how to use the ImportExportTools NG add-on in Thunderbird to export your mailbox data. This add-on lets you export emails, folders, or even your entire Thunderbird account in CSV file format. Moreover, it offers features like naming the file, choosing a location, and selecting CSV as the output type.

Step-by-Step Guide: Export Emails from Thunderbird to CSV

Firstly, launch the Thunderbird application on your computer.
Then, click on the Menu and select Add-ons and Themes.
In the search bar, type ImportExportTools NG and install the add-on.
After that, restart Thunderbird to activate the add-on.
Furthermore, navigate to the folder you want to export, then right-click on it.
Finally, from the context menu, choose ImportExportTools NG > Export All Messages in Folder > CSV Format

Limitations of Manual Methods:

These methods do not maintain folder hierarchy or email structure.
It requires installing and enabling an add-on in Thunderbird.
If you have a large account or folder, it may take a long time to process.

Best Solution to Export Thunderbird Emails to CSV

The Thunderbird Mail Backup Tool is the best utility to convert files from Thunderbird to CSV format. It has an attractive and simple graphical user interface, which makes the process easy. Additionally, it can migrate your files to other email clients like Yahoo, Office 365, Zoho, etc. Moreover, it allows you to preview and select files accordingly before the export.

Steps to Convert Thunderbird Files to CSV

Firstly, open the Thunderbird Backup Tool and load your email profile.
Once the data is displayed, click Next to proceed and select the desired profile.
After that, review the folder structure carefully and mark the folders you want to export.
Then, click Next, and choose CSV as the export format.
Furthermore, apply filters if needed and specify the destination path to save the exported files.
Lastly, hit the Convert button to start the export process.

Successful User Case

Problem: “A marketing team needed to analyze client email trends from Thunderbird for quarterly reporting, but manually extracting the data was time-consuming.”
Solution: They used Thunderbird Backup Tool to export Thunderbird email to CSV to get all sender, subject, and date information in a spreadsheet.
Result: The team could quickly filter and analyze campaigns, improving reporting efficiency and decision-making.

Conclusion

To conclude, this blog aims to help you export Thunderbird emails to CSV. Exporting to CSV helps users to store data in an organized tabular format and helps them analyze data efficiently. To convert emails to CSV, the suggested manual methods will work, but this may sometimes even cause errors. For a secure and hassle-free export, the user can switch to the expert tool, designed for accurate and effective results.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Can I convert Thunderbird files to CSV directly?

Ans. Yes, you can export Thunderbird emails and contacts to CSV, but the built-in options are mostly limited to contacts. For emails, you may need an add-on like ImportExportTools NG or a professional Thunderbird backup tool to convert them directly into CSV.

Q2. Which is the best tool to export emails from Thunderbird to CSV?

Ans. The MailConverterTools Thunderbird Backup Tool is one of the most reliable solutions. It allows bulk export of emails, supports multiple formats including CSV, and preserves email metadata and folder structure. For smaller or personal exports, ImportExportTools NG is also a good free option.

Q3. Will attachments be included when I export Thunderbird emails to CSV?

Ans. No, CSV format only stores email metadata such as sender, recipient, date, subject, and body text. Attachments are not included in CSV exports. If you need attachments, you should consider formats like EML, MSG, or PST.

Q4. Can I open a CSV file on any device?

Ans. Yes, CSV files can be opened on Windows, Mac, or even online via Google Sheets.

About The Author:

Amit Chandel

Meet Amit, an experienced SEO expert and content planner. He uses his creativity and strategy to create content that grabs attention and helps brands reach their goals. With solid skills in digital marketing and content planning, Amit helps businesses succeed online.