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How to Search Inside EML Files: Find Emails, Keywords & Messages

Want to search inside EML files but don’t know how to? No problem. This blog will guide you on how to search EML files for keywords, specific content in email body, and multiple email files without opening them. We will also cover how advanced search can help users to find email content more specifically.

However, searching via EML files can be challenging when you have multiple downloaded emails. As opening every message individually using CTRL+F may work, but it might be ineffective for thousands of EML files when searching for keywords or specific email body content. Therefore, we have covered several possible ways to search in EML files, that include searching manually, via Windows search, PowerShell, an email client like Outlook, and dedicated EML searching software.

Let’s begin searching within email files quickly with this article.

For example: Suppose you have multiple saved EML files and want to find some specific keyword within message. Then it will be easier and faster than opening each email individually.

Now, it is time to understand them in brief explanation

Search Data Within EML Files Manually

It is one of easiest ways to search EML files by opening them in any text editor like Notepad++ and trying its find option.

Users can tap CTRL+F and enter any particular keyword or phrase to check for an exact match. For example, you can search for:

• Sender name
• Email Address
• Subject
• Payment

This approach works well only when you are looking in single or few email messages. However, it becomes very challenging when trying on multiple EML files, as it will require lot of time and human effort.

Using Email Client Search

The user can consider this technique for searching data inside email body, as one has to import EML files into email application that supports EML format.

You can search these in your email client such as:

• Sender
• Date
• Email Address
• Recipients
• Subject

It can be helpful only if your EML files are well structured or managed within application. However, if you need to inspect or analyse EML files, then you must use dedicated software mentioned below.

Search EML Files using Windows Search Option

Steps:

1. Open File Explorer on your local machine.
2. Go to Folder that contains EML files.
3. Type keyword or phrase in search box.
4. Now, wait for some time, and Windows will show all matching results.
5. Later, you can verify by opening original email message.

Running PowerShell Script to Search Inside EML Files

This method is ideal for technical or IT admins who know operating PowerShell scripts. It can be used for searching any specific content in email body.

Furthermore, this can be useful in many ways, such as:

1. Find in large EML file folder
2. To automate searching process
3. Search multiple EML files in bulk

Users can easily examine EML files via this to search complex email structure data in HTML, MIME, or attachments. However, it requires a lot of script based technical skill for operation.

How to Advanced Search in EML Files using Professional Software?

As we saw that searching data in emails using other manual approaches can be problematic, as it can lead to deletion of important messages or any addition to original evidence. In such scenarios, if you are dealing with thousands of emails, then only dedicated software can help you to search inside EML files effectively.

Best Free EML to PDF Converter by FreeViewer allows users to examine and perform advanced searches in both single and multiple email messages without opening them. Moreover, it is integrated with multiple functionalities, as users can easily save their email data into different file formats, i.e., PDF.

Now, let’s understand how this works.

Search Data in EML Files with Dedicated Utility

1. Download and run aforementioned software on your system.



2. On your left side, navigate to EML files and preview your selected email folder.



3. Now, tap Search option to look for specific message within email folder.

   

   • Users can search both emails and attachments by pressing “Add Criteria” button.

   

4. After applying filters, try advanced search operators, i.e.,
   • NOT: From applied filters, your email should not contain that particular message, keyword, or phrase.
   • OR: Your message must match either (To or From or Subject). Then it will be recorded as outcome.
   • AND: All filters must be in your email message; then only it will be shown as output.

   

5. Users can search inside EML files and exact matches will be displayed as highlighted data.



6. Finally, you can save your data into PDF format.

Final Words

If your goal is to search inside EML files for keywords, any specific content, or without any email client, then this article has solved all your problems. We have explained all methods to search in EML files that suit you best, as per your convenience. For large volumes of email messages, we recommend using automated software by FreeViewer, which makes it easier to find data within email via its advanced search operator and multiple filters. Still have any queries? Contact our support team via live chat, which is available 24/7.

Also, Refer:

• Extract Attachments from EML
• Import EML into Apple Mail