Convert Outlook Email to HTML

Classic Outlook can save Outlook email as HTML but one message at a time and without attachments. New Outlook has no HTML option at all and a batch needs another route. Below are three ways to export Outlook mail to HTML, with real user problems and clear limits.

How to convert Outlook email to HTML in classic Outlook?

Open a message, select File, then Save As and choose HTML as file type to export Outlook mail to HTML. Classic Outlook saves one message per file.

1. Select a message in classic Outlook or double-click it to open it in its own window.
2. Select File, then Save As.
3. Open Save as type and choose HTML. Choose MHT files if you want text and images in one file.
4. Select a folder, name your file and select Save.
5. Repeat to store Outlook mail as an HTML file for every message you want.

HTML and MHT appear only for messages written in HTML or Rich Text so a plain text message shows neither. Menu names differ between Outlook versions so check them on screen. Catch: when you store Outlook mail as an HTML file, Outlook retains a message body, addresses, dates and links but no attachments. HTML also arrives with extra files and a folder that contains images and styling so retain them together or your message loses its look. To save a message with its attachments, see how to Save Outlook email as PDF.

Can new Outlook and Outlook on the web convert email to HTML?

No. New Outlook for Windows and Outlook on the web save EML or MSG files, not HTML. To export Outlook mail to HTML from new Outlook, save a message as EML first, then convert that file to HTML.

1. In new Outlook, open a message, select three dots (More actions) and select Save as.
2. Choose EML or MSG, then select Save. Files go to Documents by default.
3. In Outlook on the web, right-click a message, select Download, then Download as EML.
4. Convert saved EML files to HTML. See how to Convert EML to HTML.

Microsoft Q&A users hit this limit hard. A user asked in May 2023 how to save Outlook email from new Outlook and a Microsoft moderator replied that it did not save MSG or EML files yet and advised switching back to classic Outlook. Later commenters in 2025 said right-click, Save As now works for EML and MSG, though several reported garbled files in 2023. Switch to classic Outlook with toggle at top right when you need to export Outlook mail to HTML.

How to send new Outlook email in HTML format?

Select File, Options, Mail and set Compose messages in this format to HTML. That setting affects new messages only and does not export Outlook mail to HTML after you receive it.

1. Open Outlook and select File, then Options.
2. Select Mail. Under Compose messages, open the Compose messages in this format menu.
3. Choose HTML and select OK.
4. For one message only, open a new message, select Format Text and choose HTML.

HTML is Outlook's default and it retains fonts, colors, lists and pictures. Plain text drops formatting and Rich Text suits Exchange users. Messages sent outside an Exchange organization go out as HTML anyway. Old messages remain in their original format so use classic Save As or software to export old Outlook email to HTML.

Steps to export Outlook mail to HTML with software

1. Install it on a Windows PC and select Email Accounts, then Add Account.
2. Enter your Outlook address, password and IMAP details, then select Add.
3. Use Quick Search or Advanced Search to narrow folders to mail you want.
4. Select Export and choose HTML to export Outlook email to HTML.
5. Browse to a destination folder and select Save.

Have a PST file from desktop Outlook instead? Corbett PST File Converter exports Outlook email to HTML, PDF, EML, TXT, MBOX and CSV from a PST file without Outlook installed. Its free demo converts 10 emails per folder. Microsoft updated sign-in rules for many mail apps so test your Outlook account on one folder in free demo before you buy. Mail travels from your account to your PC and Corbett never sees your messages. A lifetime licence starts at $99 with a 30-day money-back window.

Which way to export Outlook mail suits you?

Use Save As to export Outlook mail to HTML for a few messages in classic Outlook, EML plus a converter for new Outlook and software for folders, PST files or filters.

Other formats work in same way. See how to Convert EML to PDF or Import PST to Outlook.

Why does saving Outlook mail as HTML fail?

HTML is missing from Save As

You save in plain text or you use new Outlook. Plain text messages offer no HTML. Switch to classic Outlook or save an EML file and convert it.

Outlook email to HTML shows no images

Outlook stores images in a separate folder beside your HTML file. Move both together. Choose MHT as file type when you want one self-contained file.

Attachments are missing

Store Outlook mail as an HTML file retains a message body only. Save attachments from Outlook or export with software that retains them. For Outlook files with attachments, see how to Save Outlook email as PDF.

Dragging messages makes MSG files, not HTML

Drag and drop from classic Outlook to a Windows folder creates one MSG file per message. Convert those MSG files afterwards. See Corbett MSG Converter.

Saved EML or MSG from new Outlook opens garbled

Microsoft Q&A users reported garbled EML files in 2023 and one said saving to a network drive broke the file. Save to a local folder first, then move it. If a file remains unreadable, switch to classic Outlook and save again.

What to do after you export Outlook mail to HTML?

After you export Outlook mail to HTML, open a few files in a browser and check images, links and dates. Copy your folder to a USB disk or cloud storage. Retain your Outlook data until files look right.

Questions About Outlook HTML Files