Learn a simple method to create a downloadable copy of an email directly from your Gmail account.
One way to "duplicate" an email message in Gmail, particularly for creating a local file copy, is by downloading the message. This process saves the email as a file on your computer, preserving its content and structure.
Here are the steps to create a downloadable copy of an email using the Gmail web interface, based on the provided reference:
Steps to Create a Downloadable Email Copy
To duplicate an email by downloading it from Gmail, follow these steps:
- Access Gmail: Please log in to your Gmail account using your web browser.
- Navigate to Inbox: Once logged in, click on Inbox located on the left-side menu to view your list of received emails.
- Open the Email: Click the specific email you want to duplicate (download). The email will open in the reading pane or a new window.
- Find More Options: Look for the three-dots icon (More options) usually found on the top right of the email view area, often next to the reply/forward icons.
- Download the Message: Tap the three-dots icon, then choose Download message from the dropdown menu.
Locating the 'Download message' option in Gmail.
- The email will be downloaded to your computer, typically in
.emlformat. This file is a direct copy of the original email message.
What Happens When You Download an Email?
Downloading an email using the "Download message" option creates an .eml file. This file contains the complete email, including the sender, recipients, subject, body text, and any attachments. You can open this file with email clients like Outlook, Thunderbird, or even some text editors to view the original message outside of Gmail. This is effectively a duplicate file of your email.
Summary Table
| Action | Description |
|---|---|
| Login to Gmail | Access your account via web browser. |
| Go to Inbox | Click 'Inbox' on the left. |
| Open Email | Click the email you wish to duplicate/download. |
| Click Three Dots | Find 'More options' icon (three vertical dots). |
| Download Message | Select this option from the menu. |
This downloaded .eml file serves as a duplicate record of the email, stored locally on your device.
