Best Ways to Export Emails from Gmail to Text File? Solved

Written By
Shivansh Shukla

Updated on
July 22nd, 2025

5 minutes Read
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Summary: Many users want to export Gmail emails to Text files to easily access emails, even without the internet. It also helps in editing or formatting emails to keep emails updated. For some users. It might be easier, but many users still find it troublesome. To help users, we will guide you to perform this process with minimal risk and effort. 

Here, you will get a free and highly appreciated Gmail Backup Tool. Before you pick one solution, it is recommended to go through them. As a result, you will be able to end it without losing data or any issues. Now, let’s start with the advantages of this process. 

Common Reasons to Export Emails from Gmail to Text File

Gmail is a popular web-based email program that offers 15GB of free storage to keep emails and other Google services data. Sometimes, users need to backup them in a plain text due to the following reasons: 

  • This method enables users to access their Gmail emails even without an internet connection.
  • Exporting Gmail messages to plain text format makes it easier to manage multiple emails in a readable, editable, and printable way.
  • Since plain text is a universal file format, it allows users to open and view emails across various devices and platforms with ease.

How to Export Gmail Emails to Text File? 

With this section, it will be easier for you to save your Gmail emails in plain text. Let’s move further without wasting time and discuss manual and professional approaches with detailed steps. 

Solution 1. Save Gmail Email as Text File

To complete this process manually, you have to follow the three simple stages:

Stage 1. Export Gmail to PDF Files

  1. To begin, login to your Gmail account. 
  2. Then, pick an email for exporting. 
  3. Further, hit the Print icon
  4. Under the Destination field, select Save as PDF.
  5. Later, choose a location and hit Save.

Stage 2. Open PDF File in MS Word

  1. Now, move towards the saved PDF file location and right-click on it. 
  2. Afterwards, choose Open with -> Choose another app and then Word.

Stage 3. Convert PDF to Text File

  1. Now, visit the File -> Save As in MS Word. 
  2. Later, set the location and expand the Save as type dropdown. 
  3. In the Save as Type, select Plain Text (*.txt). Hit Save.

Well, this process is helpful for backup, but it has several restrictions, which make it the least opted solution. For instance, it takes a longer time as it converts a single email at a time. To move bulk emails, it will take days to complete. Additionally, no guarantee of data protection. Reading further will help you to avoid these disadvantages and finish this task quickly. 

Solution 2. Professional Way to Convert Emails from Gmail to Text

MacSonik Gmail Email Backup Tool is the best alternative to the native approach. It has an easy-to-navigate interface, which is suitable for users who aren’t tech-savvy. Additionally, it enables users to move Gmail emails to various file formats or email services. In addition, you can backup emails from multiple users accounts without any issue. Apart from this, it offers features to customize the outcome accordingly. It includes backing up emails without attachments, saving unique emails, helpful in exporting specific emails, and others. Moreover, the data will be protected and secured throughout the process. 

Easy Steps to Export Gmail Messages to Plain Text

Using these steps will help you in saving Gmail emails in TXT format. 

  1. For the exporting process, install and start Gmail Backup Software on your system. 
  2. Next, type Gmail ID and password and click Sign In
  3. Further, select the folder to backup into TXT format. Tap Next
  4. Later, choose TXT from the list to save Gmail emails. 
  5. Thereafter, assign required name and path to save TXT files in your system. 
  6. In the end, click Convert to begin the process of exporting Gmail emails to TXT. 

Also Read – Export Contacts from Gmail to VCF

Conclusion 

After going through this blog, you might understand that there are two procedures to export Gmail emails to Text file. Among them, a manual solution is the least preferred as it is lengthy and takes lots of time and effort. Alternatively, an automated approach is the perfect way to get the desired outcome efficiently and smoothly. Moreover, it is reliable and secured that gives precise and an error-free results. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. How do I export an email to text?

For this process, here are the full steps. 

1. Save Gmail to PDF formal using Print option. 
a. Select email and tap on the print icon. 
b. Choose Save as PDF and hit Print
c. Assign path and click Save
2. Move PDF into MS Word 
a. Move to the PDF file and right-click. 
b. Pick Open With and then MS Word
c. After that, visit FileSave
d. Choose TXT under Save as type and provide a path. Tap Save

About The Author:

Shivansh Shukla is a technical content writer who researches and provides reliable solutions to help users resolve their problems. He offers effective procedures for email migration, data backup, and file conversion for all technical and non-technical users.

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