Chapter 12 Importing Email and Contact Data

The information in this chapter describes how to import email and contact data into Ximian Evolution.

Introduction

Evolution can import email and contact data in the following formats:

mbox format

Evolution, Netscape Version 4.7x, Mozilla, Eudora, Pine, and Elm use this email format.

.mbx format

Microsoft Outlook Express 4 uses this email format.

Vcard format

GnomeCard, other GNOME applications, KDE, and other contact management applications use this format for contact information. Typically, files in this format have .vcf or .gcrd file extensions.

To import data, choose File -> Import from the Evolution window. The Evolution Import Assistant guides you through the process to import data to Evolution.

If Evolution finds email or contact data from the listed applications on your system, the Evolution Import Assistant displays an Importing Files page. The Importing Files page displays a list of the applications for which Evolution has found email or contact data.

If Evolution finds email data for an application, a mail check box is displayed under the application.

If Evolution finds contact data for an application, an address book check box is displayed under the application.

To import data, select the check boxes for the data that you want to import, then click on the Import button.

When you complete the import, click on the Forward button.

To Import Email from mutt

The mutt email client is text-based. Linux and UNIX® distributions often include mutt. You can import your email easily from mutt to Evolution because mutt uses the standard mbox, maildir, and mh formats.

By default, mutt stores your email as follows:

To import email from mutt to Evolution, perform the following steps:

1. Choose File -> Import from the Evolution window.

2. Click on the Forward button in the Evolution Import Assistant to begin the configuration process.

3. Select the Import a single file option from the Importer Type page, then click on the Forward button.

4. Enter the name of the file that you want to import in the Filename field. Alternatively, to browse for the file, click on the Browse button. When you select a file, click OK, then click on the Forward button.

5. Click on the Import button. A Select folder dialog is displayed.

6. Select the Evolution folder to which you want to import the mutt email. Alternatively, click on the New button to create a new folder.

   When you select a folder, click OK. Your mutt email is imported to the folder that you specified.

To Import Email from KMail

KMail is the email client for KDE. You can import your email easily from KMail to Evolution because KMail uses the standard mbox format. By default, KMail stores your email in the Mail directory of your home directory.

To import email from KMail to Evolution, perform the following steps:

1. Choose File -> Import from the Evolution window.

2. Click on the Forward button in the Evolution Import Assistant to begin the configuration process.

3. Select the Import a single file option from the Importer Type page, then click on the Forward button.

4. Enter the name of the file that you want to import in the Filename field. Alternatively, to browse for the file, click on the Browse button. When you select a file, click OK, then click on the Forward button.

5. Click on the Import button.

6. Select the Evolution folder to which you want to import the KMail mail in the Select folder dialog. Alternatively, click on the New button to create a new folder.

   When you select a folder, click OK. Your KMail email is imported to the folder that you specified.