How to Import EML Files into Outlook (New, Classic & Web)?
Quick Answer: There are several ways to import EML files into Outlook, depending on the version of Outlook you have. New Outlook for Windows has a built-in bulk EML import option. Classic Outlook for Windows can import individual EML files using a manual workflow. However, Microsoft’s new import feature in New Outlook needs an active internet connection and only imports EML files from the selected folder and has a 14 MB file size limit per EML file.
For a few EML files, a manual method is sufficient. But, if you have large amount of .eml files, complex folder structures that require a more controlled workflow, then converting the EML files to an Outlook-compatible file format is suggested. As, it can hold a large amount of data without any issue.
Why Import EML Files into Outlook?
EML files are individual email messages saved by such programs as Windows Mail, Thunderbird, Outlook Express and other email clients. If you have a huge number of EML files, then importing them to Outlook will make it easier to organize, search and manage them.
Why import EML files to Outlook:
- Transferring emails from another email application to Outlook.
- Combining EML messages from archives into an Outlook mailbox
- How can I access old messages in an Outlook account?
- Merging individual EML files into Outlook folders.
- Converting large numbers of saved emails into Microsoft Outlook.
Methods to Import EML Files into Outlook
There are multiple ways to import EML file to Outlook but we’re here to give you the best of them. That is why we have come up with two best and most selective methods that have been tried and tested by our team to give you the desired results you have been looking for.
One of them is the manual solution, but we recommend using it only until you have some technical skills. Otherwise, you can opt for the expert-recommended solution, which we will discuss first.
Few Things You Need to Know Before Importing EML Files
Please check the following before starting an EML to Outlook transfer:
- First of all check which Outlook you are using, whether it is New Outlook, Classic Outlook, or Outlook on the Web.
- Make a backup of your original EML files.
- If you have multiple .eml files then collect them into manageable folders.
- If you want to use the built-in import in New Outlook, check the size of larger EML files.
- Select whether you want individual emails or a complete folder based migration.
- Make sure to check the attachments after completion of migration. Check them after import.
Important: Do not delete the original EML files until you verify that the imported emails and attachments are available in Outlook.
Method 1: Import EML Files into Outlook Classic
If you’re working with a comparatively small number of EML files and you’re using Classic Outlook for Windows, the old manual method is handy.
Step 1: Make a folder in Classic Outlook
Open Classic Outlook and create a new folder to place the imported EML messages.
By way of example: New Folder >> Inbox >> Imported EML
Step 2: Find your EML files
Launch File Explorer and navigate to the folder that contains your .eml files.
Select the EML messages that you want to import.
Step 3: Move EML files to Outlook folder by drag and drop
Drag and drop the selected EML files from File Explorer into the Outlook folder you created.
Important: Do not drag EML files to the wrong place
One common problem is that EML files are dragged directly into the Inbox or elsewhere – Outlook handles them differently.
Create a new folder in Outlook for a cleaner manual import, and place the EML messages in that folder.
When should you use this method?
- No additional migration software is required.
- For a small number of EML files.
- Easy for users familiar with Classic Outlook.
- Good when you just want to move a couple of messages.
Method 2: Importing EML Files to New Outlook
The new Outlook for Windows has a built-in option for bulk import of EML files. This is an important difference to older Outlook documentation which states that EML files cannot be imported directly.
Current instructions from Microsoft are:
Settings >> Files >> Import >> Start import.
Steps to import EML to New Outlook
- Open New Outlook for Windows
- Go to Settings.
- Navigate to Files.
- Choose Import.
- Click on Import start
- Browse to the folder where your .eml files are stored.
- Choose the destination account and folder.
- Choose Import.
Microsoft says it only imports the top-level EML files in the selected folder. And it ignores EML files stored in subfolders. All EML files must be within the documented size limit of 14 MB as well.
When to use the built-in import in New Outlook
When is this a good option?
- You’re on the new Outlook for Windows.
- You have EML files with small size.
- Your EML files will be saved directly in the folder you select.
- You are not required to import nested subfolders by default.
If you have a large EML collection beyond supported limits or a complex folder hierarchy, look for another method.
Method 3: Import EML Files into Outlook Web
1. Go to the location where you have stored your EML files.
2. Right-click the EML file you want to import into Outlook.
3. Now, choose the Open With option in the Explorer menu and select Outlook to open EML files.
4. Now, Click on Move and select the folder where you want to import the EML file.
Done!! This is how you can manually transfer EML files into Outlook.
However, dealing with manual methods is ineffective with a large number of EML files. It has numerous disadvantages, including:
- Users have to go through numerous steps as you can only import a single EML file at a time.
- When you need to import a large number of EML files to Outlook, the manual method is not feasible.
Method 4: Bulk Import EML Files into Outlook Professionally
The manual method mentioned above is only suitable for importing a few emails, not for bulk EML files. It’s not recommended for this task. Instead, we recommend using trusted third-party software to avoid any data loss. Advik EML Converter is a reliable tool to import multiple EML files into Outlook format. It can easily convert EML to PST which you can use to import to Outlook. Users can easily migrate unlimited EML files to Outlook PST file using this converter.
The tool offers a Select Files or Select Folders option for batch EML to Outlook migration. It maintains the folder hierarchy of the source EML file even after conversion. Besides, this tool is also compatible with all the latest and previous versions of Outlook 2021, 2019, 2016, 2013, 2011, etc.
Now that you have a better understanding of this tool, you will learn about it more practically through the simplest working steps that will surely amaze you while reading EML files in Outlook.
General workflow
1. Run the software and upload EML files to the software interface.
2. -Select the required EML files and go to the next step.
3. Now, select PST as a saving option from the list.
4. Select your desired destination path and click on the Convert button to start.
5. Now, open the Outlook Email Client Application.
6. Go to the File tab and click Open & Export >> Import/Export.
Done!! In this way, you can bulk import multiple EML files into Outlook.
With this tool, there are various prominent features –
Watch How to Import EML File to Outlook in Bulk
Benefits of Using Automated Software
- User-Friendly Interface: The software offers an intuitive and easy-to-navigate interface so that any user can easily access it without any assistance.
- Bulk Conversion: Users can import multiple EML files to Outlook simultaneously. This software provides dual ways to either add EML files or EML folders to save time and effort.
- Maintains Email Integrity: The tool ensures that all email attributes, including attachments, formatting, and metadata, are preserved during the conversion process.
- Multiple Saving Options: Besides PST for Outlook, the converter supports various formats, including MSG, MBOX, PDF, DOC, and more, offering flexibility based on user needs.
- No Need for Outlook Installation: The converter operates independently and allows users to convert EML to PST without requiring Microsoft Outlook installed on their system.
- Advanced Filters and Options: Users can filter emails based on date, sender, and other criteria before conversion, ensuring only relevant emails are imported.
- Preview Functionality: The software provides a preview of EML files before conversion so that users can check and verify the files they need to convert.
- Destination Path Selection: Users can choose the destination folder for the output file which will be easy to organize and locate converted files.
- Compatibility: This software is compatible with all versions of Windows, including Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, and more.
- Free Trial Version: A free demo edition is available that allows users to evaluate the software’s functionality before purchasing.
Conclusion
Importing EML files in Outlook 2021, 2019, 2016, and 2013 is the most common query we found and we decided to try our best to solve this query. To do this, we have given two of the best solutions that have proved to be beneficial for everyone, but the manual solutions have some disadvantages that we have also discussed in the previous section. One must be very careful when using these solutions. However, with an automated solution, you can import EML to Outlook in batch without hassle.
Got questions? We have answers!
Q1. Can Outlook directly import EML files?
Ans. No, Outlook does not support importing EML files directly. To transfer EML files to Outlook, you need first to convert them to PST format using a conversion tool or drag and drop them into Outlook one by one.
Q2. What are the free ways to import EML files into Outlook?
Ans. Free methods include using the drag-and-drop feature. You can import EML files into Outlook by IMAP feature to sync emails with an Outlook-configured account.
Q3. Is there a limit to the number of EML files to import in Outlook?
Ans. Most third-party tools don’t restrict the number of EML files you can import, but importing a large number of files may take more time. Also, keep in mind that Outlook PST files have a size limit (50 GB in newer versions), which could affect the amount of data you can import at once.