How to Export Gmail Emails to a Text File (One or Thousands)
Quick Answer: Gmail does not have a direct option to save an email as a .txt file. To download one email, open it, select More (three dots) >> Show original >> Download Original to save the message as an .eml file. For multiple emails, use Google Takeout to export an MBOX archive or a converter that supports individual TXT files.
Gmail users may need to save emails as text files for offline reading, record-keeping, data analysis, or archiving. The best method depends on whether you want to save one message, selected emails, or an entire mailbox.
In this guide, you will learn how to export Gmail emails to text format using free methods and a dedicated conversion tool. You will also learn how to check the exported files and resolve common problems.
Method 1: How to Save One Gmail Email as a Text File?
If you need to save just one Gmail message, you can download its original message source without installing additional software. This method preserves the original email data in an EML file, which is different from a plain-text TXT file.
Follow these steps:
- Open Gmail in your web browser.
- Open the email you want to save.
- Click the three-dot More menu beside the message.
- Select Show original.
- On the original-message page, click Download Original.
- Save the downloaded .eml file to your computer.
You can open the downloaded file using a compatible email client or a text editor. Depending on the message, its source may contain email headers, MIME boundaries, encoded content, and HTML markup.
Important: This method downloads the original message, not a clean .txt document. If you need a readable text file for every email, use a method that explicitly supports TXT output.
Method 2: How to Convert Gmail Emails to TXT Files in Bulk?
If you need to export many Gmail messages as separate text files, a dedicated Gmail backup utility may be more convenient than downloading messages individually.
The Advik Gmail Backup Tool is designed for exporting Gmail data to supported local file formats. It offers mailbox selection and filtering options for users who need to process particular emails or multiple accounts.
Before starting, verify that the current software version explicitly offers TXT as an output format. The existing tutorial screenshots show an RTF selection, and RTF is not the same as TXT. Choose TXT only if it is available in your installed version.
Steps using the software
Step 1. Run the software on your Windows system.
Step 2. Enter your Gmail login credentials and press the “Login” tab.
Step 3. Select mailbox folders and click Next.
Step 4. Choose “RTF” as a saving option from the list.
Step 5. Choose the destination path to save the resultant data file.
Step 6. In this step, you can choose the file name of your exported text file through different options.
Step 7. Apply Email Filters if required and click the Backup button to start.
Finished! Now you do not need to make any additional efforts, the software will start downloading Gmail messages to plain text files. This is one of the widely chosen solutions to export Gmail to Text files in bulk with attachments.
Watch How to Export Gmail Messages to Plain Text Format
How Can You Export Gmail Emails to Text on iPhone or Android?
You can access Gmail on a phone, but the most suitable approach depends on whether you need one message or a complete archive.
On iPhone
- Open the Gmail app and locate the email.
- Open the message and tap the three-dot menu.
- Use the available print or sharing options if you need a printable copy or another supported file type.
- If you need the original email file, open Gmail in a browser and use the desktop version of the site, where available, to access Show original >> Download Original.
The exact options and file-saving steps may differ by iOS version and browser. Printing or saving a PDF does not create a TXT file.
On Android
- Open the Gmail app and select the message.
- Tap the three-dot menu to view the available actions.
- Use the available print or sharing options if they meet your requirements.
- For the original message source, try Gmail in a browser with desktop-site mode enabled and use Show original >> Download Original, if available.
For large exports, Google Takeout is generally more practical on a computer. If you specifically need individual TXT files, confirm that your chosen conversion workflow supports that format.
Final Words
The best way to export Gmail emails to text depends on what you need to save. Gmail’s Show original option is useful for downloading an individual message, while Google Takeout is suitable for creating a bulk mailbox archive.
If you need individual TXT files for many emails, use a conversion workflow that explicitly supports TXT output and verify the results before relying on the archive. You can explore the Advik Gmail Backup Tool to review its available export formats, filtering options, and trial capabilities.
Always check the actual output format before beginning a large export so that your saved messages meet your requirements.
FAQs
Q1. Can I open the text files on any device?
Ans. Yes, text files are universally compatible and can be opened on any device with a basic text editor like Notepad or TextEdit.
Q2. How can I ensure that my Gmail emails are correctly saved as text files?
Ans. To ensure accuracy, you should test the export process with a few emails first.
Q3. Is there any built-in option in Gmail to download emails as .txt files?
Ans. No, Gmail does not provide a direct way to export emails in .txt format. You’ll have to do it manually or use third-party software.
Q4. I tried copying Gmail content into Notepad, but it looks messy. Why?
Ans. When copying emails manually, formatting may not transfer properly. Some hidden characters or extra spaces may appear.
Q5. How do I forward emails from Gmail to text?
Ans. To forward Gmail emails as a text message, copy the content of the email and paste it into a text message on your phone or messaging app.
