How to Convert PST to TXT: A Complete Guide

Written By

Updated on
September 8, 2025

5 minutes Read

Introduction: An office employee needs a lightweight copy of his Outlook PST backup. Then, he decided to save his data in simple text format, but didn’t have any idea how. Therefore, this blog will surely help readers to convert their PST to TXT online. First, the simple free manual method for conversion will be demonstrated for a small export. Later, the PST Converter Tool with special features to change PST to TXT will be presented. Make sure to read the full blog to learn about these hassle-free methods.

I have an old PST file backup from my Outlook account that is no longer used. Now, I have to access and read my emails in a simple text format without using Outlook. How can I convert my PST file into TXT for easy access to the content?I restarted my Mac, but the problem is still unsolved. How can I fix Outlook search?

Linda Martinez

Legitimate Reasons to Convert Outlook PST to Text

The reasons vary from user to user, which are based on their requirements. We’ll describe the most common and important reasons here. Here are some:

  • A TXT file is supported on most devices, which makes it easy to carry and share.
  • TXT files are small in size and save storage compared to bulky PST files that store irrelevant data.
  • Even a user without technical knowledge can access text files easily.
  • Text files are easy to share, store, and edit, best suited for working professionals.

Simple and Secure Approaches to Convert PST to TXT

In this section, we’ll discuss the following methods:

  • Free Manual method
  • Proficient Converter Tool

Free Manual Method to Convert PST to Plain Text

Here, we’ll discuss how to save PST emails in a simple text file using the Save As function in Outlook.

Procedure leading to convert PST files to TXT freely

  1. To start, launch Microsoft Outlook on your computer and upload your PST file.
  2. Then, go to the email folder, find the message you need, and click the email message you want to save.
  3. After that, click on the File tab in the menu bar, select Save As, and choose Text Only from format(*.txt).
  4. Finally, select a location on your computer and press Save. Repeat the process for saving more emails one by one.

You can even select multiple Outlook emails and save them in a Text file. But they are hard and complicated to read.

Limitations to Save Emails Manually

  • This method is not practical for people who need to back up or convert thousands of messages.
  • Not for users who want to back up attachments, as they won’t be included in the TXT file.
  • It’s a very time-consuming process if users export Outlook emails to TXT in large numbers.
  • There is no formatting maintained in emails, which might be hard to read.

Proficient Tool to Convert PST to TXT

To carry out the conversion process seamlessly and hassle-free, MacSonik PST Converter Tool is the best solution. The tool is capable of handling large PST files and converting them to the required file formats. Similarly, users can import PST to iCloud or other email clients like Gmail, Hotmail, etc. Moreover, the tool is equipped with helpful features like a date filter, duplicate remover, and more. 

Follow these steps to convert using the tool

  1. First, initialize the MacSonik PST Converter Tool on your local system.
  2. Then, click on Select File, pick your PST file from your system, and then click Next.
  3. Further, from the tree hierarchy, select your desired emails, check the preview, and click Next.
  4. After that, select TEXT or TXT as the resultant File Format, and apply advanced filters as per your needs.
  5. Finally, choose the path to save, click Convert, and wait.

The tool will complete the conversion process and save the resultant file in the location you set.

Why Choose the PST Converter Tool to Convert PST Email to TXT File?

Advanced Features One-Time Service Free Demo Version
The tool comes with features like email preview, duplicate removal, and date-based filters. It also lets you migrate PST files to different email clients. If you want a tailored and budget-friendly PST conversion, our technical support team can handle it for you. Our team will convert PST to TXT online; no need to install the tool. A free (Demo) version of this tool is available to convert PST to TXT free of cost. Try and familiarise with its features. Furthermore, compatible with all versions.

Conclusion

To sum up, we have discussed the best methods to convert Outlook PST to a simple Text format. Users can go for the manual method if they are handling a small conversion. But it is both time-consuming and impractical for bulk conversion. Therefore, we highly recommend using a professional MacSonik PST Converter Tool to convert PST to TXT. The tool maintains the email structure and completes the migration without any data loss. Moreover, its advanced features have helped a lot of users in managing their output.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Is TXT the best format for saving PST emails?

Ans: TXT is useful for simple, lightweight storage and readability. But if you want formatting, metadata, or attachments preserved, formats like EML, MSG, or PDF may be better.

Q2. Will converting PST to TXT change my original PST file?

Ans: No, the conversion process only extracts and saves the content in TXT format. The original PST file remains unchanged.

Related Post

Copyright Emaildiver. All rights reserved