Ways to extract attachments from EML files are not that difficult if we understand them from the experts. Here, we are going to share all the possible ways to take out the attachments that you want from these files.
The methods from this article are going to be super easy for users to perform and get their results from. In this article, you will be given detailed information about the EML files, how to take out the attachments from these files, and what the experts say about them.
But before moving on to the how, let’s take a look at why to extract attachments from EML files online.
Core Insights
- EML files are single message files that store emails as well as attachments.
- There could be various reasons why a user would need to extract attachments from EML files.
- Reasons could be anything ranging from sharing only attachments with someone, keeping a backup of attachments, or saving them for legal purposes.
- You have the option to save attachments from EML files in 3 ways. There is an advanced tool that allows bulk extraction, a manual way that involves Thunderbird installation and the third procedure is running Python script.
- Zitta EML Attachment Extractor is the best choice if you want a quick and easy solution.
- You can go with the second procedure if you are looking to save attachments from EML files for free. However, this process requires Thunderbird installation on your device.
- Finally, if you are a hardcore tech geek who has expertise in running Python code and scripts, then you can go with the third procedure. This process lets you extract EML file attachments for free and without installing Thunderbird on the system.
Reasons:
- There are times when users want to keep their attachments safe on their local devices.
- Sometimes, users extract these attachments to keep them in one single file or folder.
- If you want to share only the attachments with someone, you would first need to take them out of the email.
- In case you want to present some documents for legal purposes, you need to save them first.
These reasons may vary from what the users need and are looking for. Let’s check out the methods accordingly.
What Are the Methods to Extract Attachments from EML Files?
For users who want a quick and seamlessly working solution, we are here with the expert-suggested solution. It is the easiest method to get help from and extract multiple or bulk attachments from EML files in a single go. Moreover, you don’t have to install or set up any email client and run any sort of code and scripts in order to get the job done.
Apart from that, there are two manual methods that we are going to learn about for executing this process. The first method will be using an email client (Thunderbird) and the second will use Python.
Let’s first move towards the expert solution to save some time in extracting attachments from EML files online.
Quick-Witted Solution to Extricate Multiple Attachments from Bulk Files
When talking about the top choice by experts to get the attachments out from EML files on your system, Zitta Email Attachment Extractor takes the first spot. This is an easy-to-use and feature-rich tool that enables users to download attachments from EML files without any additional application installation.
Furthermore, if you have a complete folder of EML files and want to download attachments from all of them, simply browse and load that folder into the software. The software will seamlessly extract all attachments from the EML files without breaking a sweat.
Moreover, there is no restriction or limitation on the file type of an attachment. This EML Attachments Extractor can save any type of attachment be it .pdf, .doc, .zip, .xlsx, etc.
Here are some features to extract attachments from EML files:
- Allows to extract attachments from Outlook emails and more clients
- With the tool, you can extricate multiple attachments altogether from files
- Users can export their files without the fear of their format being changed
- If you want to export the files directly from an email platform, it is also possible
- Extraction of attachments is supported as per the file extensions
- Using the Advanced Filters allow users to extract selective attachments only
Now that you are aware of the features of the software, let’s dig into its working guide.
How Does the Tool Work to Extract Attachments from EML Files Online?
- Launch and open the tool. Click on Open.
- Go to the Email Data Files option from the menu and select EML Files. Hit Choose Files.
- Select the files from the window that appears and choose Open. Preview them.
- Now, from the top section, choose the Extract button and select Attachments.
- If required, apply the Date-range filter and click on Browse for location. Click Save.
This is the simple working of the software. You can use the Date-range filter to set a time period and export the attachments from those files only.
Extract Attachments from EML Files for Free Using an Email Client
The second procedure which is also a free procedure to download EML attachments uses the Thunderbird email client to complete the job. For this, you need to install and setup Thunderbird on your PC to carry out this process. Once you install the email client, the next job is to upload those files in Thunderbird. Once the EML files are added, you can continue to the following process
EML files are also compatible with Thunderbird and you take out the attachments by doing the following:
- Open your Thunderbird application and create a New Folder.
- Browse the messages that you want to extract the attachments from.
- Once you find the messages, click on the Attachment Icon below the email.
- Provide a location for the files and hit Save.
Second Manual Method to Extract Attachments from EML Files Using Python
Now coming to the third method of downloading EML attachments where we need to run a Python script on our system. This procedure is only recommended for those users who have a strong hold on coding and Python libraries.
Even though many tutorials and guides explain the procedure in detail, many users encounter different error messages due to their different case scenarios. Thus, the possibility of getting error messages and issues is quite high in this procedure. Thus, many experts recommend using the first procedure to extract attachments from EML files.
The Python code to download attachments from EML files is as follows:
import sys
import os
import os.path
from collections import defaultdict
from email.parser import Parser
eml_mail = 'your eml file'
output_dir = 'mention the directory where you want the files to be download'
def parse_message(filename):
with open(filename) as f:
return Parser().parse(f)
def find_attachments(message):
"""
Return a tuple of parsed content-disposition dict, message object
for each attachment found.
"""
found = []
for part in message.walk():
if 'content-disposition' not in part:
continue
cdisp = part['content-disposition'].split(';')
cdisp = [x.strip() for x in cdisp]
if cdisp[0].lower() != 'attachment':
continue
parsed = {}
for kv in cdisp[1:]:
key, val = kv.split('=')
if val.startswith('"'):
val = val.strip('"')
elif val.startswith("'"):
val = val.strip("'")
parsed[key] = val
found.append((parsed, part))
return found
def run(eml_filename, output_dir):
msg = parse_message(eml_filename)
attachments = find_attachments(msg)
print ("Found {0} attachments...".format(len(attachments)))
if not os.path.isdir(output_dir):
os.mkdir(output_dir)
for cdisp, part in attachments:
cdisp_filename = os.path.normpath(cdisp['filename'])
# prevent malicious crap
if os.path.isabs(cdisp_filename):
cdisp_filename = os.path.basename(cdisp_filename)
towrite = os.path.join(output_dir, cdisp_filename)
print( "Writing " + towrite)
with open(towrite, 'wb') as fp:
data = part.get_payload(decode=True)
fp.write(data)
run(eml_mail, output_dir)
Concluding Section
After going through the entire article, you must have understood that the process to extract attachments from EML files is not as hard. We have explained the easiest ways in the simplest language so that every user can follow through. If you are looking for bulk extraction, the software is your best option. You can transfer your files without losing any of them and there are restrictions as well.