Best Approaches to Convert MSG to CSV with Attachments

What Is the Difference Between MSG and CSV?

In this section, we will talk about why people convert MSG files to CSV. Let us talk about this in more detail now.

Feature	MSG Format	CSV Format
File format	Proprietary format used by Microsoft Outlook.	Plain text format uses commas to separate values.
Content	It stores individual email messages with full formatting, attachments, and metadata.	It stores data in a tabular format with rows and columns.
Accessibility	You can only access it with Microsoft Outlook or specialised converters.	You can access most spreadsheet programs, text editors, and databases.
Compatibility	Limited compatibility with other email clients and platforms	Universally compatible across software and platforms
Size	Typically larger, including formatting and attachments	Typically smaller, plain text only
Analysis	Difficult to analyze directly, lacks standard structure	Easy to analyze and manipulate with spreadsheet functions and tools
Sharing	Difficult to share with non-Outlook users	Easy to share and collaborate on with anyone

Once you have a clear understanding of the above points, you can proceed to learn the detailed instructions for converting MSG to CSV using the two most effective methods.

Two Ways to Convert MSG to CSV With Attachments

In this section, we will cover the two effective methods to transfer MSG files to CSV format using manual and professional techniques. Now, we will discuss each method in detail with a step-by-step guide.

Method 1: How to Transfer MSG to CSV Online for Free?

Here, we are going to discuss how to manually convert the MSG to CSV. As we know, there are no direct methods available to move MSG data to CSV directly. Therefore, we divide this method into two simple steps. By following these two simple steps, you can convert MSG to CSV.

Step 1: Import MSG Files into Outlook:

1. First, open Microsoft Outlook on your system.
2. Create a New Folder within Outlook.
3. Then, locate the MSG files you want to convert.
4. Drag and drop the MSG files into the newly created folder within Outlook.
5. Now, restart Outlook, and your files are fully imported.

Step 2: Export MSG to CSV:

1. Here, click the File tab in the top menu bar.
2. Select Open & Export, and then choose Import/Export.
3. Now, choose Export to a file and click Next.
4. Opt for the Comma Separated Values (CSV) file format and click Next.
5. Choose the folder containing the MSG files you imported and click Next.
6. After that, browse to select a destination folder for the output CSV file and click Next.
7. If necessary, you might be able to modify the field mapping. Adjust as desired, and click Finish.

By following the above steps, you can export MSG to CSV, but some limitations are mentioned in the next section.

Downsides of the Above Manual Technique

The manual method is an effective and useful solution to convert MSG files to CSV, but it has some limitations that are listed below.

• You need Microsoft Outlook installed and activated.
• Some formatting and headers might not transfer to CSV.
• Converting many files is time-consuming and can be slow and repetitive.
• It’s a technical difficulty, and the steps can be confusing for non-technical users.
• it does not provide helpful features; there are no options for attachments, special formatting, etc.

If you have some data to save from MSG to CSV, then you can use the manual method, and if you have a large amount of data to convert MSG to CSV, then you should use the automated method to transfer MSG files into CSV in bulk with all the attachments. Now, let’s discuss the direct method in detail.

Method 2: How to Export MSG to CSV with Attachments?

The MSG Converter tool is risk-free and reliable software to convert MSG data like emails, contacts, calendars, attachments, and other items into CSV format. This tool offers you the most useful features, including custom folder names, date filters, removal of duplicate emails, etc. Using this, you can convert multiple MSG to PDF, HTML, PST, MBOX, etc. Moreover, this software has a simple user interface, so that everyone can use it easily and without difficulty. Other than that, this tool can support all versions of Windows, including Windows 11, so you can download this software on your system without any cost.

Follow the below steps to save the MSG to CSV with attachments:

1. Download the MSG Converter Tool.
2. Next, use the Select File or Select Folder option to browse the MSG file.
3. Double-clicking the selected MSG file will allow you to preview the mailbox data.
4. Select the saving CSV option from the drop-down list.
5. Pick the required features and set a path to save the CSV file.
6. Finally, click on the Convert button to save the MSG files to CSV format.

Conclusion

We covered two methods for MSG to CSV conversion in bulk. Each method is effective and works to convert MSG to CSV, but the manual method has some limitations that you should know before using it. On the other hand, the professional method is a direct solution that can easily convert uncountable data from MSG to CSV with attachments. Also, it can manage bulk data at the same time. Now, you can choose any method that suits you best as per your requirements.