How to Save Emails in Outlook: A Complete Guide

Last Updated : 23 Jul, 2025

Want to know how to save emails from Outlook? Keeping important emails stored safely is essential for organizing your inbox, maintaining records, and backing up critical information. Microsoft Outlook offers multiple ways to save, download, and back up emails, whether you want to store them on your computer, export them as files, or save email templates for future use.

In this guide, we’ll explore how to save emails in Outlook, including how to backup Outlook emails, how to download Outlook emails, and how to save email templates in Outlook across Windows, Mac, Microsoft 365, and Outlook Web App.

Outlook-Template-
How to Save Emails in Outlook

Table of Content

How to Save Emails in Outlook for Windows

Saving emails as MSG, TXT, HTML, or PDF allows easy access, offline viewing, and quick sharing with others. Follow the below steps to Save emails in Outlook for Windows:

Step 1: Open Outlook and Select the Email

Launch Outlook and choose the email you want to save.

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Select the Mail

Step 2: Click "File" and choose "Save As"

Go to the File menu and select Save As.

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Click on "File" and Select "Save As"

Step 3: Select a Save Location and File Format

Pick a folder where you want to store the email and choose a file format:

  • MSG – For opening in Outlook.
  • TXT – Saves as plain text.
  • HTML – Opens in a web browser.
  • PDF – Use the Print to PDF option (explained below).
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Select a Location and Click on "Save As"

Step 4: Click "Save"

Confirm the selection and save the email.

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Click on Save

How to Save an Email as a PDF in Outlook

PDFs are ideal for preserving email formatting, sharing, and long-term storage. Follow the below steps to learn how to backup outlook emails by converting them into PDF in windows and Microsoft 365:

Step 1: Open Outlook and Select the Email

Search for "Outlook" in the Search bar and Navigate to email that you want to save as a pdf. Double-click on the email to open it.

Step 2: Click on the File Option

Now, Click on the "File" menu in the upper-left corner.

Step 3: Choose Print Option

Select "Print" and then click on "Print icon" Button. This will open a dialog box that allows you to specify the location where you want to save the email.

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Click on the print option menu then click the print icon button

Step 4: Select the Location & Save

Choose a folder where you want to save the email and write the file name as you want. Click the "Save" button to save the email as a pdf in the chosen location.

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1. Rename your file and 2. Click on the Save button

Your email will be saved as PDF for future use.

How to Backup Multiple Emails as a PST File in Outlook

PST files allow users to back up and transfer multiple emails while keeping their original format. Follow the below steps to backup multiple emails as a PST File in Outlook:

Step 1: Go to the File Tab

Click on "File" located in the top left corner of the Outlook window

Click-on-File-Tab
Click on File Tab

Step 2: Select Open & Export Option

Click on the "Open & Export" Option

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Select Open and Export

Step 3: Click on Import/Export

Now, Click on the "Import/Export" Button

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Click on Import/Export

Step 4: Select "Export to a File" and Click "Next"

Select "Export to a file" and click the Next button.

Click-on-Export-to-a-File
Select Export to a File and Click Next

Step 5: Select "Outlook Data File (.pst)"

Pick Outlook Data File (.pst) as the file format.

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Select outlook Data

Step 6: Choose Emails or Folders to Backup

Select individual emails, folders, or the entire mailbox for backup.

Choose-Emails-or-Folders
Choose Emails or Folders

Step 7: Choose a Location and Click "Finish"

Pick a folder to save the PST file, then click Finish.

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Choose a Location and Click "Finish"

How to Download Outlook Emails from Outlook Web App

Saving emails from Outlook Web App helps you store important messages locally without using the desktop version.

Step 1: Open Outlook Web App and Select an Email

Log in to Outlook Web App, then choose an email to save.

Select-an-Email
Open Outlook and Select an Email

Step 2: Click the Three-Dot Menu and Click on Print

Click the More Actions (three-dot) menu and Select the Print Option

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Go to three dot menu and select print

Step 3: Choose "Save as PDF" and Click on Save

Select Print, then Print to PDF (Windows) / Save as PDF (Mac). Pick a folder and save the email as a PDF.

Save-as-PDF
Choose "Save as PDF"

Pro Tip: If you are looking for how to download Outlook emails, this method works best for web users.

How to Save Email Templates in Outlook

Email templates save time by storing pre-written responses for repeated use. Follow the below steps to save outlook email templates in (Windows, Mac & Microsoft 365).

Step 1: Open Outlook and Create a New Email

Click New Email and compose the message.

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Open Outlook and Compose a new Mail

Step 2: Click "File" > "Save As"

Go to File, then select Save As.

Click-on-Save-as
Go to File and Select Save As

Step 3: Choose "Outlook Template (.oft)"

Pick Outlook Template (.oft) as the file format.

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Choose Outlook Template

Step 4: Select a Location and Click "Save"

Choose a location and confirm by clicking Save.

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Select a Location and Click on Save

Pro Tip: To use a saved template, go to New Items > Choose Form > Look in User Templates.

How to Save Outlook Emails to OneDrive or Cloud Storage

Storing emails in OneDrive, Google Drive, or Dropbox ensures secure access across multiple devices and prevents data loss.

Step 1: Save the Email as PDF, TXT, or HTML

Follow the methods above to save the email in a preferred format.

Step 2: Open OneDrive and Upload the Saved File

Go to OneDrive, then upload the email file.

Step 3: Access the Email Anytime from Any Device

Now, you can access the saved email from any cloud-connected device.

Open-Onedrive
Access the Email anytime

Conclusion

Saving emails in Outlook is an essential practice for anyone who wants to stay organized, preserve important information, and protect their email history. Whether you’re learning how to backup Outlook emails, how to download Outlook emails, or how to save email templates for easy replies, Outlook offers a range of powerful options to suit your needs. By leveraging PST export, OneDrive storage, or email templates, you can ensure that your critical emails are safe, organized, and available whenever you need them. Start saving your emails today to streamline your workflow and keep your important communications secure!

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