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EML TXT
File conversion

Convert EML to TXT

Verified by Adam B.· reviewed by FE Editorial ·updated Jul 22, 2026
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Is it possible to convert EML to TXT?
Yes - EML converts to TXT.

The fastest method is to copy the .eml file and rename the copy to .txt - any text editor opens it immediately, showing headers, body, and Base64 attachment data. If you only want the clean readable body, open the EML in a mail client, select the body text, and paste it into a new .txt file.

1 programs
Also to TXT: RTF · KKSRC · HVE

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Tested on macOS, Windows & Linux
Last verified Oct 2026

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Why convert EML to TXT?

EML is defined by RFC 5322 as a plain-text format: headers, body, and attachments all sit in the same file using standard ASCII with Base64 encoding for binary attachments. No encoding step is needed. Converting to .txt is useful for archiving message content without a mail client, or for scripts that only accept .txt input.

How to convert EML to TXT

Notepad FREE

Open Notepad, go to File > Open, set the filter to All Files, and select the .eml file; save as .txt via File > Save As. Alternatively, rename a copy of the .eml by changing its extension to .txt.

PstViewer Pro (EML Viewer Pro) APP

Open the .eml file and use the export function to save the message body as a plain .txt file - useful for batch-exporting many files at once.

Programs that convert EML

PstViewer Pro (EML Viewer Pro)

About these formats

.EML E-Mail Message (RFC 822 / MIME)

An EML file is one email message saved as a plain-text file - headers, body, and any attachments - in the internet-standard MIME/RFC 822 format. You do not need Microsoft Outlook to open…

Open .EML details →
.TXT Plain Text File

A TXT file is plain, unformatted text - the simplest document format on any computer. Double-click it: Windows opens it in Notepad, macOS in TextEdit, Linux in gedit. Nothing to install. If…

Open .TXT details →

Quality & what to watch

  • Renaming to .txt produces the raw message including all headers and Base64-encoded attachment blocks - not just the readable body.
  • If the email was sent as HTML, the .txt output shows raw HTML tags rather than formatted text; open in a mail client to see the rendered version.
  • Binary attachments appear as Base64 blocks in the .txt file; to extract the actual attachment files, open the .eml in a mail client and save attachments from there.

Frequently asked questions

Can I just rename the EML file to TXT?
Yes - EML is plain text by definition (RFC 5322), so renaming the extension is sufficient; the content does not change.
Will I see the email's attachments in the TXT file?
Attachments appear as Base64 blocks of encoded characters; to get the actual files, open the EML in a mail client and save attachments normally.
Do I need any special software?
No - Notepad on Windows or TextEdit on macOS can open any .eml file directly via File > Open (set the filter to All Files).