Many users rely on Gmail for daily communication. Over time, inboxes grow large and start consuming valuable cloud storage. While Gmail offers powerful features, it does not provide a direct option to export Gmail emails to text files, a format preferred for offline reading, archiving, and printing.
If you are looking for a simple and reliable way to export Gmail emails to TXT, this guide is for you. Here, you will learn manual and bulk methods, understand when each approach is useful, and decide which option best fits your needs.
Why Do Users Export Gmail Emails to Text File?
Exporting Gmail emails to text format is not just about saving space. Users search for this solution because TXT files are:
- Universally readable: Open on any device using basic text editors
- Lightweight: Much smaller than PDF or HTML files
- Easy to archive: Ideal for compliance, documentation, or legal records
- Print-friendly: Print multiple emails quickly without formatting issues
- Offline accessible: No internet or email client required
For users handling large inboxes, audits, or long-term storage, TXT format is often the most practical choice.
Can Gmail Export Emails to TXT Directly?
No. Gmail does not include a built-in option to save emails directly as TXT files. You can only download emails individually and convert them manually, making bulk export difficult without external tools.
That’s why most users choose one of the following approaches:
- Manual method: Best for exporting a few emails
- Automated tool: Best for exporting emails in bulk
Method 1. How to Export Gmail Emails to Text File?
Follow the given instructions to export emails from Gmail to TXT file;
Step 1. Open your Gmail account and select the email that you want to export.
Step 2. After that, click on Print and select the destination where you want to save your email. The email will be saved in PDF format.
Step 3. Now go to the location where the .pdf file is saved and right-click on it and choose the “Open with” option.
Step 4. Choose the Word option from the given list.
Step 5. After that, click on File >> Save As >> .txt and select the All Files option.
Step 6. At last, hit the Save button and save the exported file in TXT format.
Here, complete the export process.
Now, you can access your Gmail emails in text file without any hassle.
However, this manual solution will export a single email at a time. If you want to save multiple emails at a time, then you must go for a direct method.
Method 2. How to Export Gmail Emails to Text in Bulk?
Try Xtraxtor Gmail Backup Tool and export emails from Gmail to TXT in a few simple clicks. Using this tool, you can convert Gmail messages to text along with attachments. With a user-friendly interface, it is easy for novice users to convert Gmail to Text without any external help.
This is a standalone entity that will work on all Windows OS systems. Along with that, one can also export Gmail emails to other webmail accounts as well.
For more, try the demo version of the tool and save Gmail emails to Text file.
Process to Export Emails from Gmail to TXT File
Follow the instructions and save your Gmail emails in plain text file:
Step 1. Install and run the Email Backup tool on your Windows OS system.
Step 2. After that, click on Open >> Email Account >> Add Account.
Step 3. Now enter your Gmail login details and click the Add button.
Step 4. Here you can view your Gmail emails before exporting them.
Step 5. Click on Export and choose TXT file format.
Step 6. Choose the location to save the exported data file and hit the Save button.
Here, complete the process, and you will export emails from Gmail to text file in a few simple steps.
Additionally, one can also use this tool and save Gmail emails to MBOX and many other file formats.
Additional Features of Gmail to TXT Export Tool
With this software, there are various outstanding features, some of which are mentioned here;
- Supports bulk export of Gmail emails to TXT without any size limitation.
- Preserves email metadata such as subject, sender, receiver, date, and time accurately.
- Allows exporting Gmail emails with attachments to the same folder or a separate location.
- Provides a preview option to check emails before saving them as text files.
- Enables date-range export, useful for legal, audit, or compliance purposes.
- Works as a standalone solution, no Gmail app or third-party client required.
- Maintains read/unread status of emails during export.
- Supports batch processing, reducing manual effort and time.
- Ensures 100% data integrity with no content loss during conversion.
- Compatible with all major Windows versions, including Windows 11 and older editions.
- Offers a free demo version to test functionality before purchasing.
- Designed for both technical and non-technical users with a guided workflow.
Conclusion
In this article, we discuss two workable solutions to export Gmail emails to text file without losing a single bit of data. Although the manual solution can save Gmail emails to text file, it will export a single message at a time. Thus, it is recommended to export Gmail emails to Text format using the Xtarxtor Gmail Backup tool.