outlook *.msg file viewer/organizer?

[SpazzDotCom]

I have been saving my emails from outlook onto my hard drive in *.msg format. Right now, I have to rename each file with the date in the filename in order to keep them organized, and this is a huge waste of time.
I am in need of a program that allows me to view my archived *.msg files in an outlook style format, so I can easily sort them by date recieved/sent, recipient, sender etc. Being able to search the emails for keywords would also be helpful, but for now, I'll settle for just a viewer/organizer.

Is there a program like this out there?

Thanks,

 

[RalphTheCow]

Wow, this poor guy has been waiting 6 years for an answer! I have a similar problem, but even worse, I don't really want to download any software.

I was thinking there must be away to use macros to transfer the Outlook date to the file system file created date, since as I understand it that date is embedded in the msg format.

But I am not a programmer, so I was hoping for a freeware utility to do this. Anyone? Beuller?

It looks like I can download a spreadsheet that would set the dates, so I'd then just need a way to read and transfer the dates. A lot of work!

http://www.cpearson.com/excel/FileTimes.htm

And here is a start on an Outlook macro.

http://www.mrexcel.com/forum/showthread.php?t=342096

 

[Gooberlx2]

I don't have any answers, but I have to ask....why? Why would you ever want to store your emails like that?

 

[RalphTheCow]

I don't have any answers, but I have to ask....why? Why would you ever want to store your emails like that?

An unfortunate fact of life. It is corporate policy to limit mailbox size, but we are allowed to save files outside of Outlook as msg files only.

Hey, this looks promising!! http://www.definiteanswers.com/q/Wh...tead-of-the-original-email-date-4d081ddd1eb93

Do you think it will work? Could it cause problems? I guess I need to research "Indexing Options".

 

[MrChad]

An unfortunate fact of life. It is corporate policy to limit mailbox size, but we are allowed to save files outside of Outlook as msg files only.

Hey, this looks promising!! http://www.definiteanswers.com/q/Wh...tead-of-the-original-email-date-4d081ddd1eb93

Do you think it will work? Could it cause problems? I guess I need to research "Indexing Options".

Isn't it easier to create a local PST file and archive the messages there? You can still keep your Exchange mailbox size small, but the PST is easily accessible/searchable within Outlook.

 

[Markbnj]

Isn't it easier to create a local PST file and archive the messages there? You can still keep your Exchange mailbox size small, but the PST is easily accessible/searchable within Outlook.

I guess he's saying they aren't allowed to create a new PST file, though why IT would have a problem with that is beyond me.

 

[Gooberlx2]

I guess he's saying they aren't allowed to create a new PST file, though why IT would have a problem with that is beyond me.

Yeah, that's really bizarre. OP, do you have that option or is IT actually disallowing creation of archive PST files?

 

[alkemyst]

it should be fairly easy to write a script to read in the msg file and rename it properly.

 

[imagoon]

I personally hate people that forward me .msg files... #1 We are a Domino shop (I have no choice in that decision) and Outlook is not installed on the end users computers #2 It is yet another Microsoft "semi supported" format. Kinda like 'winmail.dat' that they only in last few years finally opened up but was the plague upon all non MS email clients.

 

[RalphTheCow]

All,

Yes, PST files are banned, verboten, etc.! A real PITA, but rulz is rulz I guess. Definitely lawyer-driven.

I just found out how to read in a text file, pretty easy, and this looks looks promising for reading a binary file. http://www.vbforums.com/showthread.php?t=430424

But MSG looks to be part binary and part text. I'll keep researching. If nothing else, this is a good way to develop my fledgling VBA skills and sample macro library.

Here is a pretty good high level description of the file format:

An MSG file identifies mail messages formed by the email programs Outlook Express and Microsoft Outlook. Just like the techniques used by Word, Excel, and other similar programs, MSG files are also saved as COM structured storage OLE2 compound documents. An MSG file consists of several streams, each with subtags. Each subtag contains a certain piece of information with eight digit codes. The first four digits describe the kind of information the subtag contains - such as nameid, attachment, recipient, sender, body of message, etc. The second four digits describe the kind of encoding used. An MSG file may be encoded in either binary or ASCII.

The main features of an MSG file are the main message body, calendar, contacts, reminders, etc. These are all arranged in a hierarchal directory with files and folders. Support for mobile and web-based access to information and support for data storage are MSG's other features. MSG files can also be sent over the internet.



BTW, this was a total crock!
Hey, this looks promising!! http://www.definiteanswers.com/q/Why...-4d081ddd1eb93

Do you think it will work? Could it cause problems? I guess I need to research "Indexing Options".

 

[imagoon]

All,

Yes, PST files are banned, verboten, etc.! A real PITA, but rulz is rulz I guess. Definitely lawyer-driven.

I just found out how to read in a text file, pretty easy, and this looks looks promising for reading a binary file. http://www.vbforums.com/showthread.php?t=430424

But MSG looks to be part binary and part text. I'll keep researching. If nothing else, this is a good way to develop my fledgling VBA skills and sample macro library.

Here is a pretty good high level description of the file format:

An MSG file identifies mail messages formed by the email programs Outlook Express and Microsoft Outlook. Just like the techniques used by Word, Excel, and other similar programs, MSG files are also saved as COM structured storage OLE2 compound documents. An MSG file consists of several streams, each with subtags. Each subtag contains a certain piece of information with eight digit codes. The first four digits describe the kind of information the subtag contains - such as nameid, attachment, recipient, sender, body of message, etc. The second four digits describe the kind of encoding used. An MSG file may be encoded in either binary or ASCII.

The main features of an MSG file are the main message body, calendar, contacts, reminders, etc. These are all arranged in a hierarchal directory with files and folders. Support for mobile and web-based access to information and support for data storage are MSG's other features. MSG files can also be sent over the internet.



BTW, this was a total crock!
Hey, this looks promising!! http://www.definiteanswers.com/q/Why...-4d081ddd1eb93

Do you think it will work? Could it cause problems? I guess I need to research "Indexing Options".

I am sure in that case if you told them you are saving the .msg files they would make you delete them also. Are you sure you are not going against policy here? If you are you should discuss this with IT etc. Seems a bit silly to block a .pst but allow .msg since in essence a .pst is nothing more than a lot of .msg files.

 

[RalphTheCow]

Yes, we are definitely allowed to save MSG files if we have a business reason, and I did find out today that they are supplying a PST and MSG viewer that supposedly picks up the buried data in MSG files, like sender, date, etc. So I am very happy about that! The macros were starting to look a little too complicated. I think I can find some better things to do with my time than write/find them!