How to Convert Thunderbird Email to PDF Efficiently?

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Published By Jamie Kaler
Rollins Duke
Approved By Rollins Duke
Published On November 20th, 2024
Reading Time 9 Minutes Reading

Summary- Are you searching for solutions to convert Thunderbird Email to PDF with all data integrity in bulk? If your answer is yes, then you’ve reached the right place. In this guide, we have discussed how to convert emails from Thunderbird to PDF efficiently. Read this write-up, until the end to learn the conversion methods.

Mozilla Thunderbird is a popular desktop email client that helps users manage their emails, contacts, calendars, and more in one place. It’s widely used by both individuals and businesses around the world to handle their daily communications.

PDF, on the other hand, is a versatile file format known for its compatibility across different devices and platforms. It allows users to easily share, secure, and organize information in a structured way.

Many Thunderbird users choose to export their emails to PDF format when they need to create backups, share messages with others, or print them for records or documentation purposes. Therefore, in this write-up, we are going to discuss how to convert Thunderbird Emails to PDF with properties. So without causing any more delay, let’s begin with the write-up.

User Query 

Hi, Fritz. I am a forensic investigator currently working on a case where I uncovered important evidence in Thunderbird emails. To present this information effectively, I need to convert these emails into a document format, specifically PDF, as it’s accepted in court. I’m looking for a solution that will allow me to export multiple Thunderbird emails to PDF efficiently and accurately, ensuring no details are lost or altered in the process. So, can anyone guide me to the most reliable method for this conversion? Your assistance would be greatly appreciated, as this documentation is essential for my case. Thank you!

Why Users Want to Convert Thunderbird Email to PDF?

There are various reasons that motivate users to change their Thunderbird emails to PDF file format. Below we have listed some typical and common causes that specify why users want to complete this conversion process.

  • Users want to store their emails in a portable and easily accessible format, such as PDF, for backup and archiving purposes. This ensures data security and availability in case of data loss or corruption.
  • PDF files are widely compatible across different platforms and devices, making it easy to share Thunderbird emails with others, either for collaboration or for sharing with colleagues, clients, or friends.
  • Users may need to print their Thunderbird emails for legal or official purposes, such as court documents, contracts, or receipts. PDF files can be easily printed and used as hard copies.
  • PDF files allow users to view their Thunderbird emails offline, without relying on an internet connection. This is particularly useful for users who need to access their emails while traveling or in areas with limited internet connectivity.
  • Converting Thunderbird emails to PDF helps preserve the original format, layout, and content of the emails, including attachments, headers, and footers.
  • Some users may require PDF files as a court-acceptable format for legal purposes, such as submitting evidence or documentation.
  • Users may have large numbers of emails to convert and prefer automated batch conversion methods to save time and effort.
  • Converting Thunderbird emails to PDF ensures that attachments, such as images, documents, or other files, are preserved and remain accessible.
  • PDF files can be easily organized and categorized, making it simpler to manage and search large volumes of emails.
  • Converting Thunderbird emails to PDF ensures that the data remains accessible and usable even if the user switches email clients or platforms in the future.

How to Export Thunderbird Email to PDF Manually?

Here we are going to explain two available manual approaches to change emails from Thunderbird to PDF. So, let’s get begin with the steps guide:

Method 1: Save Emails from Thunderbird into PDF using the Print option

  1. First, open Thunderbird.
  2. Now, select the email you want to save.
  3. Then, right-click on the email and choose “Print.”
  4. Next, set the print destination to “Save as PDF.”
  5. In the end, choose a folder to save it and click “Save.”

Method 2: Export Emails from Thunderbird to PDF Using Add-on

  1. Open Thunderbird on your computer.
  2. Navigate to “Tools” and choose “Add-ons” from the menu.
  3. In the “Add-ons Manager”, click on “Settings”.
  4. Locate and select the downloaded “ImportExportTools NG” add-on file, then click “Open”.
  5. Choose “Install Now”, and once installed, restart Thunderbird as prompted.
  6. Go to the folder or specific emails you want to convert to PDF.
  7. Right-click on your selection, then choose “Export all messages in the folder”.
  8. Select “PDF” as the file format for export.
  9. Choose “Save” to finalize and save your emails in PDF format.

Why Manual Approaches are not Recommended?

These manual methods may seem easy and simple to you, but allow us to tell you that these approaches have various drawbacks, which are:

  • When exporting Thunderbird emails to PDF manually, attachments are not included in the saved file. To preserve attachments, consider using a different export format.
  • PDF format doesn’t support re-importing exported messages back into Thunderbird. If you’ll need access within Thunderbird later, PDFs might not be ideal.
  • Manually saving emails as PDFs only captures the message body, not the message headers.
  • Transferring emails directly to PDF may involve risks, so for added safety, use secure methods and tools designed for this purpose.
  • If can’t convert multiple email files to PDF format by using these methods, to make multiple conversions you have to repeat the complete process, which is so much time and effort consuming.

As we have seen various limitations come with the manual approaches, which are not suitable options for the users. Therefore, to overcome these drawbacks you can use automated software to complete this conversion procedure.

Also Read:
How to Migrate Email from Thunderbird to Office 365?
How to Export Thunderbird Emails to MSG with Complete Data?

How to Change Thunder Email to PDF Using Automated Solution?

The Turgs Thunderbird Converter Software is an all-in-one utility. With the help of this software, you can convert your multiple Thunderbird emails into PDF file format in bulk at once in just a few clicks. This software is an expert-recommended, reliable, and trustworthy software for the conversion process.

Download Now Purchase Now

The software can make conversion of your large email files into PDF simply and easily without facing any issues. Also, this utility allows users to convert data selectively, which is important to them. Additionally, the software is completely capable of persevering and maintaining all data integrity, email components, and formatting during the conversion process.

How to Convert Thunderbird Email to PDF Quickly?

Step 1. Get the free Thunderbird to PDF Converter and install it on a Windows computer.
install thunderbird to pdf converter tool to convert thunderbird emails to pdf

Step 2. Select multiple Thunderbird Profiles as well as a single account mailbox with the help of dual selection mode.

upload your thunderbird files

Step 3. Now, choose the required files or folders as per your requirements.
choose required files and folders as per your needs

Step 4. After that, Select the saving option as PDF format from the drop down list.
select the pdf file format to save the thunderbird emails as pdf

Step 5. Select the desired location path to save converted PDF files according to user requirements.
specify destination location to save the converted files

Step 6. The desired file naming option will help you to arrange emails according to Subject, Name, Address, etc.
apply file saving names for easily locate

Step 7. After applying all the settings, click the “Next” button to start the conversion process.
click next button to convert thunderbird email to pdf file format

Step 7. The Thunderbird to PDF conversion process started and took only seconds to complete the process.

watch live migration process of converting thunderbird to pdf

Step 8: After the conversion process is completed a confirmation message will pop up, press “OK” to process further.
thunderbird to pdf conversion process completed

FAQs

Q1: Can I convert multiple Thunderbird emails to PDF at once? 

Answer: Yes, while manual methods require converting emails one by one, the above-mentioned automated solution allows the bulk conversion of multiple emails to PDF format simultaneously.

Q2: Do attachments get included when converting Thunderbird emails to PDF? 

Answer: When using manual methods, attachments are not included in the saved PDF file. However, automated solutions can preserve attachments during the conversion process.

Q3: What manual methods are available for converting Thunderbird emails to PDF? 

Answer: There are two main manual methods: 1) Using the Print option to save as PDF, and 2) Using the ImportExportTools NG add-on in Thunderbird.

Q4: Are manual conversion methods recommended for important documents? 

Answer: No, manual methods are not recommended due to various limitations including loss of attachments, missing message headers, and the inability to perform bulk conversions efficiently.

Q5: Can PDF files be re-imported back into Thunderbird? 

Answer: No, once emails are converted to PDF format, they cannot be re-imported back into Thunderbird. If you need future access within Thunderbird, consider using a different format.

Q6: Does the conversion process preserve email formatting? 

Answer: Yes, when using the above-mentioned automated solutions, the original format, layout, and content of emails, including headers and footers, are preserved during conversion.

Q7: Is PDF conversion suitable for legal documentation? 

Answer: Yes, PDF is widely accepted in legal settings, including courts, making it an ideal format for preserving emails as evidence or legal documentation.

Q8: What happens to email headers during PDF conversion? 

Answer: When using manual methods, message headers are not captured in the PDF. However, the above-mentioned automated solution can preserve these headers during conversion.

Conclusion

In this write-up, we are going to discuss how to convert Thunderbird Email to PDF with all data integrity. Here we have discussed various manual and automated solutions to complete the conversion task. However, as we have seen the manual approach comes with numerous limitations, which is not good for the users. Therefore, it’s a wise option to go with the automated software to save Thunderbird Emails as PDF.  Additionally, the automated solution provides a free demo version of the utility to users to try and test the features of the software.