EMLX file format is used for a text file that is implemented and developed by Apple. It is related to Apple Mail and is used in Apple Mac OS X. Normally, it is stored as a plain text file and can be opened using any text editor.
Brief History
Mac OS X operating system adopted the existing email program, NeXTMail, created by NeXT as a part of NeXTSTEP operating system. After acquiring NeXT, Apple uplifts its features and became the Apple Mail email application to be used as a default email client. Emails exported from Apple Mail are saved as EMLX files.
File Format Specifications
EMLX is a single email message file and can be opened easily with any Text editor like Notepad. EMLX file structure consists of three parts –
This can be better known with the help of the sample email extracted from Apple Mail as EMLX and opening it in a text editor.
622
X-Spam-Checker-Version: SpamAssassin 3.3.2 (2011-06-06) on ******.*********.***
X-Spam-Level:
X-Spam-Status: No, score#-3.2 required#4.2 tests#BAYES_00,RP_MATCHES_RCVD,
SPF_PASS,TVD_SPACE_RATIO autolearn#ham version#3.3.2
Received: from [127.0.0.1] (******.*********.*** [***.**.**.**])
by ******.*********.*** (8.14.5/8.14.5) with ESMTP id r2TN8m4U099571
for <****@*********.***>; Fri, 29 Mar 2013 19:08:48 -0400 (EDT)
(envelope-from ****@*********.***)
Subject: very simple
From: <****@*********.***>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset#us-ascii
Message-Id: <4E83618E-BB56-404F-8595-87352648ADC7@*********.***>
Date: 14 Feb 2013 15:33:54 +0530
To: Reciever <****@*********.***>
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Mime-Version: 1.0 (Apple Message framework v1283)
X-Mailer: Apple Mail (2.1283)
message Foot
--
Sender
http://www.la-grange.net/karl/
<!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN" "http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd">
<plist version#"1.0">
<dict>
<key>date-sent</key>
<real>1364598546</real>
<key>flags</key>
<integer>8590195713</integer>
<key>original-mailbox</key>
<string>imap://********@127.0.0.1:11143/mail/2013/03</string>
<key>remote-id</key>
<string>41147</string>
<key>subject</key>
<string>very simple</string>
</dict>
</plist>
In this example, 622 indicates the total length of the message. The message meta data is enclosed in tags and the tags are described as follows;
| Field | Description | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | read | 1 « 0 |
| 1 | deleted | 1 « 1 |
| 2 | answered | 1 « 2 |
| 3 | encrypted | 1 « 3 |
| 4 | flagged | 1 « 4 |
| 5 | recent | 1 « 5 |
| 6 | draft | 1 « 6 |
| 7 | initial (no longer used) | 1 « 7 |
| 8 | forwarded | 1 « 8 |
| 9 | redirected | 1 « 9 |
| 10-15 | attachment count | 3F « 10 (6 bits) |
| 16-22 | priority level | 7F « 16 (7 bits) |
| 23 | signed | 1 « 23 |
| 24 | is junk | 1 « 24 |
| 25 | is not junk | 1 « 25 |
| 26-28 | font size delta | 7 « 26 (3 bits) |
| 29 | junk mail level recorded | 1 « 29 |
| 30 | highlight text in toc | 1 « 30 |
| 31 | (unused) |