# Exporting mailboxes from Mail Archiver: better use MBOX or PDF format to import in DTP?

**URL:** <https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/t/exporting-mailboxes-from-mail-archiver-better-use-mbox-or-pdf-format-to-import-in-dtp/87736>\
**Category:** Tips\
**Created:** [September 30, 2026, 3:22pm UTC](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/t/exporting-mailboxes-from-mail-archiver-better-use-mbox-or-pdf-format-to-import-in-dtp/87736 "2026-09-30T15:22:32Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![svimic](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/user_avatar/discourse.devontechnologies.com/svimic/32/7369_2.png) [@svimic](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/u/svimic)\
**Post date:** [September 30, 2026, 3:22pm UTC](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/t/exporting-mailboxes-from-mail-archiver-better-use-mbox-or-pdf-format-to-import-in-dtp/87736/1 "2026-09-30T15:22:32Z")

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Hi. I’m using [Mail Archiver X](https://www.mothsoftware.com/content/content/mailarchiverx.php) from Moth Software to archive all my emails.  
Now I would like to use DTP 4.

In Mail Archiver, I can use MBOX or PDF format for export.  
Which format do you think would be better (faster ? Lighter ?) to import in DTP ?

Thanks.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![BLUEFROG](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/user_avatar/discourse.devontechnologies.com/bluefrog/32/135_2.png) [@BLUEFROG](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/u/BLUEFROG)\
**Post date:** [September 30, 2026, 5:31pm UTC](https://discourse.devontechnologies.com/t/exporting-mailboxes-from-mail-archiver-better-use-mbox-or-pdf-format-to-import-in-dtp/87736/2 "2026-09-30T17:31:42Z")

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.eml files are usually smaller, provided there are no attachments. I’d personally prefer an .mbox import but PDF documents may suit your taste. I’d use _File \> Export as PDF_ in Mail then import the PDF and original email to see if you suits you more.