How to convert an MSG file to text

It's easy to convert Microsoft Outlook MSG files to plain text files (Chad Baker/Photodisc/Getty Images)

The MSG file format is used by the mail program Microsoft Outlook. Though Outlook can easily open MSG files, the format is not supported by most other mail programs. To convert an MSG file to a plain text format, you'll need to use a specific program to convert it to the "EMl" format, and another program to convert the "EML" format to a "TXT" or plain text format.

Launch the MSG to EML software. Click "Add MSG file." Open the MSG file you want to convert.

Select "EML" as the conversion format.

Choose a location to save the file. Click "Export."

Open your EML conversion program.

Open the EML file that you just created. Choose "Export" from the menu.

Select "TXT" or "Plain text" as the conversion format.

Choose a location to save the file. Click "Export."