Saving messages to other directories
Don't laugh but I currently run Windows XP SP3 on a 15 year old Acer laptop using amongst other things MicroSoft Outlook 2003. The system is totally reliable but I felt it prudent to upgrade before something broke and now have a Surface laptop running Windows 11 23H2.
With Outlook 2003 I found a program called MessageSave which is an add-on. This allows me to save messages out of Outlook 2003 into separate project directories/folders. Thus each project directory contains all the information on that particular project together with all associated emails. This means that once that project is archived all information pertaining to it is securely saved in one place.
I forgo Windows Internet Explorer sometime ago for Firefox and did not want to use the latest version of Outlook, therefore I am trialing Thunderbird.
To your knowledge is there an add-on for Thunderbird which will enable me to save messages out of the program and in my individual project directories.
Many thanks
Graham
Chosen solution
Thunderbird will save individual emails as EML files. It will not (I don't think) save a folder to the file system with it's contents. The import export tools addon will. https://addons.thunderbird.net/en-US/thunderbird/addon/importexporttools-ng/?src=ss It also provides the option of individual EML fioles for each email, or an MBOX file that is essentially a Thunderbird folder of emails, but it needs to be imported to Thunderbird to use.
Or
You create the folder and then select all the emails in the list (Ctrl+A) and then save the messages to the folder.
Personally I have Thunderbird set to place a copy of message replies in the folder of the email I am replying to. That way using message threading I have everything but my initial email in the same folder and if I initiated the contact, I move the initial email from sent to the folder with the replies. This does not move the message from the inbox to the project folder. But it automates some of it.
This addon by Axel Grude has been around a long time and is well regarded. It may well offer to automate the initial filing if you want to step away from the inbox as much as possible. It is not on my list of addons, but the addon assistant part of things might make the difference between using a filter and not.
If I am struggling to identify the correct "topic" I use the right click open in conversation menu item and it will "locate" other emails in the thread of discussion based on the references header of the email. It is a handy fall back when other linking options fail. (labels in subject)
Some other addons you might find useful in project management are;
- Smart Templates by the same author https://addons.thunderbird.net/en-US/thunderbird/addon/smarttemplate4/?src=ss it makes customized replies a simply process and enables substitution for preset variable with recipient details from the address book etc.
- Quicktext https://addons.thunderbird.net/en-US/thunderbird/addon/quicktext is in some ways similar to smart templates, except it is about inserting boiler plate into the message you are typing. privacy statements, signatures and a host of other repetitive text options.
- Xnote for when you need a sticky note for that email. https://addons.thunderbird.net/en-US/thunderbird/addon/xnotepp/
All Replies (3)
My first thought is to set up a filter for the project, assuming there is some element within each message that would identify it. Maybe more information on how the emails for a project are identified, or is this a manual step that you do?
Hi David,
Thanks for your reply.
Messages come in to Outlook 2003 and when I have dealt with that particular message I manually move it to a project directory in Outlook 2003, together with any message I have sent. This directory is specific to one project and all emails pertaining to that project sit there. Once that project is complete and email correspondence ceases, then using MessageSave, I manually select that project directory and save all the emails to the main project directory on C:.
When I send an email I always preface the subject area with the project number, however, my correspondents (client, contractor, local authority, suppliers etc.) often put their own "subject" so identification for me is a manual process.
Chosen Solution
Thunderbird will save individual emails as EML files. It will not (I don't think) save a folder to the file system with it's contents. The import export tools addon will. https://addons.thunderbird.net/en-US/thunderbird/addon/importexporttools-ng/?src=ss It also provides the option of individual EML fioles for each email, or an MBOX file that is essentially a Thunderbird folder of emails, but it needs to be imported to Thunderbird to use.
Or
You create the folder and then select all the emails in the list (Ctrl+A) and then save the messages to the folder.
Personally I have Thunderbird set to place a copy of message replies in the folder of the email I am replying to. That way using message threading I have everything but my initial email in the same folder and if I initiated the contact, I move the initial email from sent to the folder with the replies. This does not move the message from the inbox to the project folder. But it automates some of it.
This addon by Axel Grude has been around a long time and is well regarded. It may well offer to automate the initial filing if you want to step away from the inbox as much as possible. It is not on my list of addons, but the addon assistant part of things might make the difference between using a filter and not.
If I am struggling to identify the correct "topic" I use the right click open in conversation menu item and it will "locate" other emails in the thread of discussion based on the references header of the email. It is a handy fall back when other linking options fail. (labels in subject)
Some other addons you might find useful in project management are;
- Smart Templates by the same author https://addons.thunderbird.net/en-US/thunderbird/addon/smarttemplate4/?src=ss it makes customized replies a simply process and enables substitution for preset variable with recipient details from the address book etc.
- Quicktext https://addons.thunderbird.net/en-US/thunderbird/addon/quicktext is in some ways similar to smart templates, except it is about inserting boiler plate into the message you are typing. privacy statements, signatures and a host of other repetitive text options.
- Xnote for when you need a sticky note for that email. https://addons.thunderbird.net/en-US/thunderbird/addon/xnotepp/