How do I Import multiple .mbox file to O365/Exchange Online? -

In this digital era, users are moving from desktop email clients to cloud-based applications. A lot of MBOX email client users are shifting towards Office 365 or Outlook 365. Virtual data accessibility from anywhere, no issues for security, easy mailbox management, etc. are the reasons for users to shift from MBOX email clients to Outlook 365 (Online Exchange).

If you are deciding to move to the cloud, it is important to safely move the database to it. By installing Microsoft Outlook, the task of importing MBOX emails to Office 365 becomes easier for users. To easily carry out the migration, this guide will help you with multiple solutions. You can simply use an indirect solution or a direct software-based program to import MBOX data files into Outlook 365 cloud.

Understand the need to Import MBOX to Outlook 365 cloud

Microsoft Outlook 365, like other Outlook versions, permits users to organize their personal information such as emails, contacts, notes, calendars, tasks, etc. Microsoft 365 is a subscription-based service where you can get access to MS Office Suite apps like Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc.
Apart from this, Skype for Business, SharePoint, etc. features compel users to shift from MBOX to Microsoft Outlook 365.

Table of Contents

Methods to Import/Migrate MBOX to Microsoft 365

In the next section of this post, we will know the two methods for the successful migration of MBOX files to MS Office 365.

Method 1. By using Thunderbird and Outlook

This is not a direct method and has two steps involved in it:

Convert MBOX to PST
Import PST file in Outlook 365 account

Note: You need both Thunderbird and Outlook installation on your system to perform the migration.

Step 1. Convert MBOX to Outlook PST

Launch the Thunderbird email client and pick the required folder from the left panel.
Now, select all emails from the right panel by clicking on CTRL + A.

Right-click on the highlighted message and choose Save as option from the appeared menu.
Set the location to save the folder and hit ‘Select folder.’

Now, minimize Thunderbird and open MS Outlook.
Right-click on the folder in which you saved Thunderbird emails and choose the option ‘create a new folder.’
Here, name this folder.
Go to the Thunderbird program again. Drag the saved folder & drop it into the created folder in MS Outlook.
Save the folder in PST file format.

Step 2. Export PST file data to Office 365 account

With the help of Network Upload:

Install Microsoft Azure AzCopy on your system and create a copy of the SAS URL.

Upload the above-created PST file
Preview all emails of PST file
Map the new PST data file and generate a PST import job in Exchange online account.

Note- Backup office 365 mailboxes to PST format

Drawbacks of this indirect solution:

Installation of both Mozilla Thunderbird and Outlook programs is necessary.
No assurance of maintaining data integrity.
Users must have proper technical knowledge of Microsoft 365, Azure AzCopy and more.
Only emails can be migrated. You can’t migrate other mailbox items.
Only applied for Thunderbird and won’t work with other email clients like Apple Mail, Pocomail, Eudora, etc.

Method 2. Automated Solution for MBOX to Office 365 Migration

If you don’t find indirect solution perfect for you, you can try out this direct third-party tool named WholeClear MBOX to Office 365 Migration. This program permits users to add multiple MBOX files at once to directly import into Office 365 account. Also, users can specify any existing folder or create a new folder to import MBOX files.

Let us understand this utility better with its working process:

Install and start this MBOX to Microsoft Office 365 Converter Tool on any Windows operating system.

Select Folder or Select multiple MBOX files radio button. Thereafter, use the Browse button to add the required

MBOX files from your system to the software panel.
Go with the Office 365 option and provide the required login credentials.

Then, you can specify a new or existing folder of Office 365 account to import MBOX files.
The last step is to hit the ‘Upload Now’ button to commence the migration process.

Now, you can log in to your Outlook 365 account and check MBOX files there.

Benefits of using this automated tool to import MBOX files to Outlook 365:

This direct solution does not require the installation of Thunderbird, Outlook or any other email client in the system.
The software is fully easy to operate and reliable to import MBOX files into Outlook 365 account.
The program ensures 100% safety and accuracy while importing MBOX email items to Outlook 365 account.
This utility smartly imports MBOX files of multiple email clients like Mac Mail, Eudora, Entourage, Opera Mail, Pocomail, Spicebird, Clawsmail, Evolution, etc.
Bulk import of MBOX data files with attachments are supported by this application.
Users can filter MBOX files to import smoothly into desired Office 365 account.
No harm to the actual database of MBOX files.
Easy interface, no need to be technically sound to operate the software.
Freeware mode is available to pre-examine the software before paying for it.

Conclusion

In the ending lines, we want to say that moving data is necessary from one email client to another when we shift to a new application. For example, migration from Thunderbird to Outlook 365. So, in this blog post, we have described two different solutions to import MBOX files into Microsoft 365 cloud. The first one is an indirect solution which you might find lengthy & complex. Also, there are high chances of data loss with it. Another one is a direct solution which is quite simple & safe to use.
So, as per the simplicity and taking care of data safety, we recommend users to opt for the direct solution.