How to Combine EML Email Files into a PDF
Question details
The user is unable to add EML email files directly into the Acrobat Combine Files tool and needs a way to merge these email messages into a single PDF document.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to merge multiple documents, including EML email files, into a single PDF using a PDF editor's combine feature.
- Observed behavior
- The Combine Files tool fails to import EML files directly from local folders, preventing the user from merging the email messages into the final PDF.
Ensure you have a compatible email client (like Microsoft Outlook or Windows Mail) installed to open the EML files, as they must be rendered properly before conversion.
Convert EML Files to PDF via Print, Then Combine
Since most PDF editors do not accept raw EML files natively, you must first export or 'print' the emails to PDF using an email client before combining them.
This method uses your system's built-in virtual printer to turn the email message into a standard PDF document, which can then be easily merged with other files.
Double-click the EML file to open it in your default email application, such as Microsoft Outlook or Windows Mail.
Press Ctrl+P (or navigate to File > Print) and select 'Microsoft Print to PDF' or 'Adobe PDF' as your designated printer. Click Print and save the resulting PDF to a designated folder on your computer.
Perform this print-to-PDF action individually for each EML email file you wish to include in your final document.
Open Adobe Acrobat, go to Tools > Combine Files, and click 'Add Files'. Select all the newly created PDF files to merge them into a single comprehensive document.
Use a Dedicated Batch EML to PDF Converter
For users with a large number of EML files, using a dedicated conversion tool is more efficient than printing each email manually.
Combine Your Converted EML Files Easily with WPS PDF
Once you have saved your EML files as PDFs using the print method, WPS Office offers a seamless and user-friendly PDF toolkit to merge, edit, and organize your documents all in one place.
- 1. Launch WPS Office: Open the WPS Office desktop application and click on the 'PDF' tab on the left sidebar to access PDF tools.
- 2. Access the Merge Tool: Click on 'Merge PDF' from the quick access toolbar or the main PDF toolkit menu.
- 3. Add Your Converted Files: Click 'Add Files' and navigate to the folder where you saved the PDF files generated from your EML emails.
- 4. Merge and Save: Drag and drop the thumbnails to arrange the correct page order, then click 'Merge' to combine them into one complete PDF document.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my PDF editor say the EML file format is not supported?
Most PDF Combine tools are designed for standard document formats (like Word, Excel, or existing PDFs). EML is a raw email format that requires an email client's rendering engine to display the layout and text properly, which is why it cannot be imported directly into a PDF combiner.
Will the attachments in my EML files be automatically included in the combined PDF?
If you use the 'Print to PDF' method from an email client, attachments are typically not included in the printed output. You will need to save the attachments separately to your local drive, convert them to PDF format, and manually insert them into your final combined PDF.
Can I combine EML files without opening them one by one?
Yes, but you will need specialized third-party batch email conversion software to do so. Standard PDF editors will require the EML files to be processed and converted to standard PDFs first before the merging function can be used.
