Emails often need to leave the mailbox: as evidence in a dispute, as a record of an approval, or for a file that must be kept after an account is closed. Many mail programs can export a message as an EML file, but few people can open one. EML to PDF turns the message into a PDF with its key headers and body, ready to file or share.
How to use EML to PDF
- Export the message from your mail program as an .eml file.
- Add the EML file.
- Select Convert to PDF.
- Download the PDF and check the date and recipients.
What the PDF contains
- Subject, headers and body: The subject becomes the title, followed by the From, To and Date headers and then the message body.
- HTML preferred over plain text: When an email contains both a formatted HTML version and a plain-text version, the HTML version is used so the message looks as it did in your inbox.
- Plain-text line breaks: Plain-text emails keep their line breaks.
- What's removed: Scripts, embedded frames and plugin objects are removed from HTML emails before the message is rendered.
Images, attachments and privacy
- Tracking pixels: Many marketing emails load images from remote servers, and some of those images exist only to report that the message was opened.
- Remote requests are blocked: VelloDoc blocks remote requests during conversion, so tracking images are never loaded, although remote logos and pictures are missing as a result.
- Inline images and attachments: Images embedded inline by reference aren't shown either, and attachments aren't included.
- Combining them yourself: Save attachments separately and combine them with Merge PDF if needed.
Keeping email records
- A PDF isn't proof on its own: A PDF of an email is convenient, but it isn't proof in itself that a message was sent or left unaltered.
- Keep the original EML: For formal evidence, keep the original EML file, which contains the full technical headers, alongside the PDF.
- For long-term storage, PDF to PDF/A creates an archival copy.
- Where to read more: The PDF privacy guide explains what else to check before sharing documents that contain personal details.
When people use EML to PDF
Evidence for a dispute
Keep a readable copy of an important exchange with a landlord, supplier or employer for your files.
Approvals and confirmations
File a sign-off or booking confirmation with project or travel records as a standard document.
Records before closing an account
Preserve key messages as PDFs before leaving a job or shutting down an old email account.
Limitations to know
EML to PDF shows the subject, From, To and Date only, and doesn't include attachments, inline images or remote images. It reads EML files, not Outlook MSG files, and requires WeasyPrint on the server. Keep the original EML whenever the full headers matter.
EML to PDF: common questions
How do I get an EML file?
Apple Mail and Thunderbird can save messages as .eml files, and Gmail's Download message option produces one. Outlook for Windows saves messages as MSG files by default, which this tool doesn't read.
Are attachments included?
No. Only the message itself is converted. Save attachments separately and convert or merge them as needed.
Why are images missing?
Remote images are blocked for privacy and security, and inline images referenced within the message aren't rendered.
Are CC recipients shown?
The PDF shows the subject with the From, To and Date headers. Other headers, including CC, aren't included, so keep the original EML when you need the full record.
Why is this tool unavailable on some servers?
It needs the WeasyPrint library to render the message. When the library is missing, the tool reports that clearly.