Obsidian SuiteDocumentation
Obsidian Mail Client: all chapters

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Importing and exporting

Everything in this chapter is on File > Open & Export.

Open a saved message

Open Message opens an .eml file in its own window, where you can read, reply to or forward it.

Import mail

You can bring mail from:

  • an Outlook data file (.pst or .ost),
  • an Obsidian Data File (.obmdata, see below),
  • a mailbox file (.mbox) from Thunderbird, Apple Mail or Google Takeout,
  • saved messages (.eml).

The mail goes into a new folder of one of your accounts, on the server, with the file's own folders inside it. Each message keeps its date and whether it was read.

To import:

  1. Click Import and pick the file. Pick one .pst, .ost, .obmdata or .mbox file at a time; several .eml files can go together.
  2. Choose the account under Into the account.
  3. Check the name under In a new folder named ("Imported" and the file's name, to start with).
  4. Click Import.

A bar shows the progress; Stop ends the import early. Large files take a while: every message is uploaded to the server.

Good to know:

  • Close Outlook before importing one of its files. If Outlook has the file open, the app can't read it.
  • Mail can't be imported into an Exchange or Obsidian account: Exchange ActiveSync has no way to upload it.
  • For an Obsidian Data File, Also its contacts and tasks (onto this PC) brings those too, into People and To Do on this computer.

Export

Export saves your data in common formats, for another app, your phone, or to keep:

ChooseYou get
Mail Folder (.mbox)…One folder of an account as a mailbox file. Pick the Account and the Folder, then Export….
Calendar (.ics)…A calendar as an iCalendar file, between the From and To dates you pick. Recurring events are saved as their occurrences in those dates.
Contacts (.vcf)…Your contacts as vCards.
Contacts for Outlook (.csv)…Your contacts as a CSV file Outlook can import.

You can also right-click a folder and choose Export to a mailbox file (.mbox)….

Obsidian Data Files

An Obsidian Data File (.obmdata) is this app's own version of Outlook's .pst: your mail with its folders, read state, flags and categories, plus calendars, contacts and tasks, in one file. Use it to archive old mail, to carry it to another PC, or to open beside your mailboxes. With a password, the whole file is encrypted.

The Data File button on File > Open & Export has three commands:

Export to a Data File

  1. Click Export to a Data File….
  2. Choose the accounts, and whether to include Calendars (a year back and a year ahead), Contacts and Tasks.
  3. Give it a Name and, if you like, a Password (twice).
  4. Click Export… and choose where to save it.

Without its password, the file can't be opened by anyone, you included. Keep the password somewhere safe.

Open a Data File

Open a Data File… opens the file in its own window, beside your mailboxes. You can browse and search it (Search this data file), read messages, and:

  • Reply, Reply all or Forward,
  • Save as .eml or Print,
  • Copy to Mailbox… to put messages back into one of your accounts,
  • Delete from File.

Import a Data File

Import a Data File… imports its mail into an account, like any other import (see Import mail).

Archive mail into a data file

To move old mail out of your mailbox, as Outlook's archive does:

  1. Select the messages and right-click them.
  2. Choose Archive to data file….
  3. Pick a data file you have, or make a new one.
  4. Leave Remove them from the mailbox once they are in the file checked to take them off the server once they're safely in the file.

Open the file later from File > Open & Export.

Back up your settings

To move to a new PC or keep a safe copy of your setup, see Backing up and restoring.