Unexpected problems migrating Thunderbird address book to new PC
While moving from Win 8 on old PC to Win 10 on new PC the help file "moving thunderbird data to another computer" unfortunately could not help me. (I could not find the "Windows Easy Transfer" program, I am not using a Mac, and I do not use Gmail). There is an import/export option in the Tb toolbar, but the "export" option does not work (i.e. nothing happens when it is clicked, no further dialog box is opened). Once I ope the address book it also has an "export" menu item but only a list of headers is created, not the address book content (no matter what file format is chosen). I would like to know where the address book is stored, and what it is named - perhaps I can just move it "en block" to the new computer. Also, would it be possible to store addresses in a single file with an easy-to-remember name, like in Thunderbirds predecessor, Eudora?
Chosen solution
There are a couple of ways to do what you want, so read through everything first to see which applies more to your needs.
- First method discusses using the standard import export currently available via the 'Address Book'.
- Second method is great to simple copy pasting the two default address books between profile folder names.
- Third method involves an addon extension tool.
1. Exporting an address book from the 'Address Book window: click on 'Address Book' button. This is the only place you actually have the option to select address books for exporting. NOTE - do NOT select 'All Address Books' as this is not a real address book, it is a virtual address book - a sort of search result folder. The bugzilla people are working on finding a solution, so that there will be functionality in the future to use it to export all of your address books)
Select an address book. Tools > Export
choose where to save. type a suitable File name - do not use 'Personal address Book' as you will get confused when importing as there will also be a default 'Personal Address Book'. 'Save as TYpe' choose LDIF or 'Comma Separated .csv' I use the latter .csv file because I can then also access it using eg: Excel.
Then import it into the Win10. Tools > Import Select 'Address Books' and click on Next Choose 'Text File' and click on Next locate the eg: .csv file and click on Open
2. If you have all your contacts in the 'Personal Address Book' and/or 'Collected Addresses' address book,
These two files can be directly copy pasted from one profile to another.
Make hidden files and folders visible:
in Thunderbird Help > Troubleshooting Information click on 'Show Folder' button a new window opens showing the 'Contents' of your 'Profile folder name' - usually xxxxxxxx.default, where the x's are leters and numbers. If you were performing a manual backup then that is the folder you would copy paste.
Scroll down and look for these files: 'Personal address Book' is called 'abook.mab' 'Collected Addresses' is called 'history.mab'
Both of these files - abook.mab and history.mab can be copy pasted from one profile folder name to another. Overwriting the empty default one in the new profile. So copy paste to eg; usb to facilate moving.
Any other .mab file eg: abook-1.mab will have been created by you and you cannot simple copy paste into new profile, so you have two oprions for those files. Either follow the instructions for the Tools > Export - first option above then put .csv on usb to be able to import using the first method or Copy paste the files to usb and then use a tool (see below) to import the mab files.
3. A third method would be to install the addon tool onto both computers This is the addon extension tool: MorefunctionsforAddressBook
How to Install Add-on Extension: After downloading addon extension *.xpi file to desktop or downloads folder.
In Thunderbird 'Tools' > 'Add-ons' or 'Menu icon' > 'Add-ons'
- Click on gear wheel icon and select 'Install Add-on From File'.
- Locate the *.xpi file you downloaded and click on 'Open'.
- You may need to restart Thunderbird when prompted.
Once installed: You can use this tool to export and import address book .csv and .mab files. To export: In 'Address Book' window Right click on address book (not 'All address Books')
select: 'MorefunctionsforAddressBooks > Export > in native thunderbird format .mab OR as .csv
Then put the file onto eg: usb/external device
To import In 'Address Book' window Tools > MorefunctionsforAddressBook > Actions for address books > Importaddress book from .mab/,csv as appropriate. Easy to follow wizard to aid importing.
Read this answer in context 👍 0All Replies (1)
Chosen Solution
There are a couple of ways to do what you want, so read through everything first to see which applies more to your needs.
- First method discusses using the standard import export currently available via the 'Address Book'.
- Second method is great to simple copy pasting the two default address books between profile folder names.
- Third method involves an addon extension tool.
1. Exporting an address book from the 'Address Book window: click on 'Address Book' button. This is the only place you actually have the option to select address books for exporting. NOTE - do NOT select 'All Address Books' as this is not a real address book, it is a virtual address book - a sort of search result folder. The bugzilla people are working on finding a solution, so that there will be functionality in the future to use it to export all of your address books)
Select an address book. Tools > Export
choose where to save. type a suitable File name - do not use 'Personal address Book' as you will get confused when importing as there will also be a default 'Personal Address Book'. 'Save as TYpe' choose LDIF or 'Comma Separated .csv' I use the latter .csv file because I can then also access it using eg: Excel.
Then import it into the Win10. Tools > Import Select 'Address Books' and click on Next Choose 'Text File' and click on Next locate the eg: .csv file and click on Open
2. If you have all your contacts in the 'Personal Address Book' and/or 'Collected Addresses' address book,
These two files can be directly copy pasted from one profile to another.
Make hidden files and folders visible:
in Thunderbird Help > Troubleshooting Information click on 'Show Folder' button a new window opens showing the 'Contents' of your 'Profile folder name' - usually xxxxxxxx.default, where the x's are leters and numbers. If you were performing a manual backup then that is the folder you would copy paste.
Scroll down and look for these files: 'Personal address Book' is called 'abook.mab' 'Collected Addresses' is called 'history.mab'
Both of these files - abook.mab and history.mab can be copy pasted from one profile folder name to another. Overwriting the empty default one in the new profile. So copy paste to eg; usb to facilate moving.
Any other .mab file eg: abook-1.mab will have been created by you and you cannot simple copy paste into new profile, so you have two oprions for those files. Either follow the instructions for the Tools > Export - first option above then put .csv on usb to be able to import using the first method or Copy paste the files to usb and then use a tool (see below) to import the mab files.
3. A third method would be to install the addon tool onto both computers This is the addon extension tool: MorefunctionsforAddressBook
How to Install Add-on Extension: After downloading addon extension *.xpi file to desktop or downloads folder.
In Thunderbird 'Tools' > 'Add-ons' or 'Menu icon' > 'Add-ons'
- Click on gear wheel icon and select 'Install Add-on From File'.
- Locate the *.xpi file you downloaded and click on 'Open'.
- You may need to restart Thunderbird when prompted.
Once installed: You can use this tool to export and import address book .csv and .mab files. To export: In 'Address Book' window Right click on address book (not 'All address Books')
select: 'MorefunctionsforAddressBooks > Export > in native thunderbird format .mab OR as .csv
Then put the file onto eg: usb/external device
To import In 'Address Book' window Tools > MorefunctionsforAddressBook > Actions for address books > Importaddress book from .mab/,csv as appropriate. Easy to follow wizard to aid importing.