Quick answer
Outlook (Windows): open MSG → File → Print → Microsoft Print to PDF. macOS without Outlook: use Microsoft 365 web access, or convert MSG to EML first via msg-to-eml tools, then EML to PDF. Command line: `msgconvert input.msg` extracts to EML, then convert to PDF. Online: dedicated MSG-to-PDF converters.
Method 1: Convert MSG to PDF online (free, in your browser)
- 1
Open the FormatDrop document converter
formatdrop.com/document-converter. The converter handles MSG files in your browser using Compound Document parsing.
Go to converter - 2
Drop your MSG file
Drag .msg. The converter parses Outlook's Compound Object format, extracting headers, body (HTML or RTF), embedded images, and attachment references.
- 3
Choose PDF settings
Headers (From, To, Date, Subject) at top — yes by default. Embed inline images. Attachments noted by filename. Page size A4 or Letter.
- 4
Download the PDF
Single MSG: one PDF. The PDF preserves email formatting, embedded images, and metadata. Drop into legal hold systems, compliance archives, or share with non-Outlook recipients.
Method 2: Convert MSG to PDF in Outlook
Outlook handles MSG natively — the canonical conversion path on Windows.
- Double-click the .msg file → Outlook opens it.
- File → Print → choose 'Microsoft Print to PDF' as printer.
- Click Print → choose save location → save as .pdf.
- For batch: select multiple MSG files in Windows Explorer → drag into Outlook inbox → select all → File → Print → Microsoft Print to PDF.
Note: Outlook is the highest-fidelity conversion. Headers, formatting, embedded images all preserved. Attachments referenced but not embedded.
Method 3: msgconvert for cross-platform CLI
msgconvert is a Perl utility that converts MSG to EML on any platform.
- Install. Mac: `brew install libemail-outlook-message-perl`. Linux: `apt install libemail-outlook-message-perl`.
- Convert MSG to EML: `msgconvert input.msg` produces input.eml.
- Then convert EML to PDF (see our convert-eml-to-pdf guide): use Thunderbird, Apple Mail, or command-line tools.
- Combined: `msgconvert *.msg && for f in *.eml; do eml-to-pdf "$f" "${f%.eml}.pdf"; done`.
Note: Two-step process but cross-platform. Best for batch jobs without Outlook access.
Method 4: Thunderbird import path
Thunderbird can read MSG via add-ons.
- Install Thunderbird (thunderbird.net) and ImportExportTools NG add-on.
- Tools → ImportExportTools NG → Import EML → MSG support varies by version.
- Alternative: convert MSG to EML first (msgconvert), then drag EML into Thunderbird.
- Right-click email → ImportExportTools NG → Save as PDF.
Note: More complex than Outlook's direct path but free and cross-platform.
Method 5: Online MSG-to-PDF tools
Browser-based services for one-off conversion.
- Local: formatdrop.com/document-converter — runs in browser, no upload.
- Server-based: zamzar.com, convertio.co — upload MSG, download PDF. Faster for large files but uploads to their servers.
- For sensitive emails (legal, HR, financial), use local tools.
Note: Online tools handle MSG well but require uploading. Privacy-sensitive content should stay local.
When you need to convert MSG to PDF
- 1
Legal hold and e-discovery
Litigation and regulatory matters require email preservation in PDF. Bulk-convert Outlook MSG archives to PDF for legal teams.
- 2
Compliance archiving (HIPAA, SOX, FINRA)
Regulated industries require email retention. PDF/A is the archival standard.
- 3
Sharing Outlook emails with non-Outlook recipients
Lawyers, contractors, regulators — many don't use Outlook. PDF works on every device.
- 4
HR and workplace investigations
Emails as evidence in HR matters → PDF format is the convention.
- 5
Backup before email migration
Migrating from Exchange to Gmail or another platform? Preserve key emails as PDFs first.
Troubleshooting common MSG to PDF problems
macOS can't open MSG files
Outlook for Mac handles MSG since 2019. If you don't have it, use msgconvert to convert MSG to EML first, then open in Apple Mail. Or use the browser tool.
Attachments not included in PDF
Outlook's Print to PDF doesn't embed attachments — only references them. To include attachments in the PDF, save attachments separately and merge with PDF tools, or use Bluebeam Revu / Acrobat with email export plugins.
Headers missing in PDF
Configure Outlook to include headers: View → View Settings → Other Settings → ensure 'Use headers' is enabled. Outlook for Mac has similar settings.
HTML formatting broken in PDF output
Outlook renders HTML emails for printing — should preserve formatting. If broken, the email may use external CSS/images that didn't load. Open in Outlook first to verify rendering before printing to PDF.
Why convert MSG to PDF?
MSG is Outlook's email format; PDF is universal archive. Converting between them is essential for legal hold, compliance, and sharing emails outside Outlook. The standard path on Windows is Outlook → Microsoft Print to PDF. Cross-platform: msgconvert + EML-to-PDF in two steps.
Your files never leave your device
FormatDrop runs the conversion engine entirely inside your browser using WebAssembly. No file upload. No server. Nothing stored. You can verify this by opening DevTools → Network tab and watching: zero upload requests.
Frequently asked questions
Best free tool for MSG to PDF?
Will attachments be included in the PDF?
Can I batch convert MSG files?
No account. No upload. Works in any browser.