How To Extract and Save an Email's Text

In this article we will use a tool to read email from a server, and extract the text portion of each email, in to text files. Each text file will be stored in our preferred output folder, and will be named with a path safe version of the email's subject line. This example concentrates on extracting the main text in the email, but the same tool and methods could be applied to create files containing email addresses, subjects, attachment names and more.

Step 1. Get PopTransAct - Using this powerful tool allows you to read email files from your POP3 server. ( * see here if you want to PopTransAct to read .eml email files on your disk instead of from a server.)

Step 2. Create a Batch File. - This very simple batch file will do the work of creating text files with your email's text in them. This example PopTransAct batch file, has only 1 single and simple command: "type %3 > %4\%2-bodytext.txt" It's that easy! Here is the example batch file for you to download and test.

Step 3. Setup PopTransAct to use Attachment Actions - By using Actions, PopTransAct will parse your email content, and provide you with the Body, or other email fields you want.

Create a very simple csv file with this in it:
Extension,Enabled,Application,Before,Prefix,Suffix,After
.eml,y,CMD,/C START c:\test-fields.bat, "," ,"<safe-subject>" "<bodytext>" "<outputfolder>"
Or, just download this example Comma Separated Values text file here.

Here is an example screen shot of what the Attachments Actions tab should look like for this example email project:

Step 4. Enter your Server Information - With just your email server and account information entered, you will be ready to go.

Here is an example screen shot of what the main PopTransAct screen could look like:

Step 5. Execute. In this Example, PopTransAct will create 1 file for every email it reads. Each of these files will contain the extracted text from the body of each of your emails!

 

* You can use emlBridge with PopTransAct. By using emlBridge, you will be able to read .eml files you already have stored on your disks.