AppleMail mbox import issue with structure

[cleidigh]

Issue where mbox files from Apple Mail that have a folder structure do not import the structure.

[cleidigh]

( from William)
This is what I know:

• ImportExportTools NG version: 4.0.4
• Thunderbird version: 68.2.0 (32-bit)
• Export from Apple Mail options/file format: There are no options to select. All I do is choose a folder to store the structure.
• Confirm you were using import (mbox?) With subfolders: I am using "Import one or more mbox-files with subfolders" which is option 2.

I am using MacOS Catalina Version 10.15 and Apple Mail version 13.0 (3594.4.19).

My folders are NOT named *. sbd! Just normal folder names.

Top level looks like this:

Folder "Test"
File (which turns out to be a folder as well): "Test.mbox".

[cleidigh]

Can you try exporting a simple folder structure with just a couple test e-mails and see if that imports correctly. YouCould then send me that file so that I can test it as well

[WilliamNxt]

Hi Chris
I've created a folder structure looking like this:
Top Level
Level 1
Level 2

Each folder holds one email only.

I don't seem to be able to send you the folders, but I have attached some screen shots illustrating how things look from my side.

Let me know how I can get the folder structure across to you.

Text is in Danish (but that is pretty straight forward :))

[cleidigh]

@WilliamNxt
Thanks! I assume even with simple export none of the above works in terms of import, correct?
if you enable the debugger under advanced settings are there any errors?
I think I can also create a test export to test.

[WilliamNxt]

I've replied by email.

[cleidigh]

@WilliamNxt
I was able to export an inbox folder from Apple Mail 12.0 on Mojave.
it successfully imported on Thunderbird 68.2
I have created a test folder for people to be able to test "controlled" input files.
Can you try to import this file? it contains a single file with about five messages.
https://github.com/thundernest/import-export-tools-ng/tree/master/tests/import/AppleMail/INBOX.mbox

[cleidigh]

@WilliamNxt
Any update/ success?

[WilliamNxt]

I'm sorry, but I still need to know how to download the files in inbox.mbox.

[cleidigh]

sorry I forget giving or not giving instructions on this
when you get to an individual file there will be able to use the "Raw button", right click on that and bring up able menu where you can save as.
BTW I just went through a couple other issues on OS X with no problem importing so I think we will get to the bottom of this.

[WilliamNxt]

This is what it looks like in my folder after save using raw. Can't import.

Could you send me the file and the folder by normal email, please?

[WilliamNxt]

Sorry, just found it in my mail folder.

It contains 6 mails, but as you can see, the name of the folder is "mbox.txt".

[Joergen]

The reason the folder is named "mbox.txt" is that Windows append the file extension (.txt) to the file when you download / save it to your computer. You might not see the file extension when you look at the downloaded file because Windows hide file extensions for known file types by default.

[cleidigh]

@WilliamNxt
After taking into account the correct comment by @Joergen , it seems as if you imported the mailbox okay. Any success with your real mail import?

[WilliamNxt]

@Joergen's comment unfortunately doesn't change anything.

Please read through my posts again.

I have never had a problem importing a single mbox-file with a number of emails.

I have two problems:

The name of the imported folder has the name structure "mbox###" and not the folders name, e.g. "Mom" or whatever name the folder had in macMail and when it was eksported. Please note that my posts above I have included a screen shot with a folder with the name "Test Top Level". This is the name the mailbox should be given when imported, not "mbox###". So, problem number 1 is INCORRECT NAMING of imported folders.

Structures are not imported as a structure but as "mbox###"-files that are all imported to the same folder in TBird. So, problem number two is NO STRUCTRE.

[cleidigh]

@WilliamNxt
can you e-mail me a simple structured export with junk e-mail so I could test exactly what you are using
test1@kokkini.net

[cleidigh]

@WilliamNxt
I found out that there is a specific option required to export subfolders. the option button within the dialogue when you save the folder.
I just tested that successfully with a top and 1 subfolder .

I found a reference about the naming structure and some of its oddities.
http://www.needhelp4mac.com/2016/05/export-apple-mail/

Note the comments on the exported folder names. it looks like you have to have some named export folders otherwise you get numbers.

[WilliamNxt]

Hi Chris I am on holiday - will be back by Sunday. Med venlig hilsen / Best regards cand. jur. William Feely, HD + 45 50 50 22 83

…

Den 12. nov. 2019 kl. 07.35 skrev Christopher Leidigh ***@***.***>: @WilliamNxt <https://github.com/WilliamNxt> I found out that there is a specific option required to export subfolders. the option button within the dialogue when you save the folder. I just tested that successfully with a top and 1 subfolder . I found a reference about the naming structure and some of its oddities. http://www.needhelp4mac.com/2016/05/export-apple-mail/ <http://www.needhelp4mac.com/2016/05/export-apple-mail/> — You are receiving this because you were mentioned. Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub <#28>, or unsubscribe <https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/ANTC4SBPWMALQWRMSSWY7SLQTJFBNANCNFSM4JFILB7Q>.

[cleidigh]

enjoy your holiday!
(good time to forget about e-mail)

[obar]

I discussed this topic in the wrong thread (oops) and have a python script to reformat mbox exports from Apple Mail. Just tying the background info to the correct issue here.

[jobisoft]

Time to close this. See:
https://github.com/thundernest/import-export-tools-ng/wiki