How to import .eml files...

[robier]

Does anyone know how we can import the .eml files from ZDesktop? We had a bad install/upgrade from 1.04 to 2.0. We see all the .eml files but our inbox is empty. We had made a copy of the entire Zimbra folder and tried copying and pasting the older .eml files into the new folder...basically the same location...but still don't show up. We sync with Google Apps. Thanks!

[AH23]

Originally Posted by robier

Does anyone know how we can import the .eml files from ZDesktop? We had a bad install/upgrade from 1.04 to 2.0. We see all the .eml files but our inbox is empty. We had made a copy of the entire Zimbra folder and tried copying and pasting the older .eml files into the new folder...basically the same location...but still don't show up. We sync with Google Apps. Thanks!

I posted a "Outlook to Zimbra" (the outlook part doesn't apply to you) but here's the part that does, You can reimport your .eml's after you compress them in a .tgz file

This worked in that situation but I'm fairly confident it will work in yours (obviously I can't "guarantee" it but definitely make a copy of the .eml folders before you try this so you don't lose any data)

Now you need to download another program called PeaZip because we have to compress all those files into the readable by Zimbra kind of file.
PeaZip - Free file and archive manager - 7Z TAR RAR ZIP...

Download PeaZip for windows and install it (it's a next, next, next install -everything is fine as it's default)

Open PeaZip and go into C:\(the eml folder you created)\ Now you should see the "inbox, sent, deleted" folders

Highlight them all (click and drag to select them all).

Click Add

Now change the format from zip to TAR

Above format options, change the destination/name if wanted.

Now click "ok"

Wait for it to create the .tar file in that location (make sure you know where you put it).

Now find it in the window that's open. It should default to the same folder as the eml files. It will be at the bottom

Now click on the "inbox.tar" (or whatever yours in called) and click "add" again.

Change the format to GZip (the file path above that should now have changed to .tar.gz this is good we're almost there.

Click ok (remember where it put it).

Close PeaZip upon completion.

Open "My Computer" and find the file you just created.

What you will see is: "inbox.tar" That can't be imported by Zimbra yet (I know just GREATTT).

Now, on Windows Vista / 7 click "Organize" (for XP click "tools").

Click "folder and search options."

Click the "view" tab.

Under the "hidden files and folders" you should see "hide extensions for known file types." Uncheck that and click "ok" (it might warn you don't listen to it )

Now you should see "Inbox.tar.gz" if you did everything previous correctly

right click on it and click "rename"

change .tar.gz to .tgz

when you click off of it a window will pull up saying "if you cange a file name extension etc.

click yes on that window

NOWWW FINALLLYYYYY you have an "Inbox.tgz" - if you did everything correctly.

Open Zimbra Desktop

Go to preferences (this is assuming you've already created your email account on Zimbra Desktop if you haven't do that now).


On the far left, click "Import/Export" under your email account address. (DO NOT CLICK ON "IMPORT/EXPORT" UNDER LOCAL FOLDERS)

Under "import" click "browse" and find our inbox.tgz we just made and select it.

It should automaticly say destination :inbox or something of the sort. If not, manually point it by clicking "all folders" and find "inbox" and select that.

Now click "import" and now you should start seeing your inbox populate with your folders, and emails. This will take quite a long time so just set it and go get some coffee or something.