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How to Convert MSG to OFT Format ?

  author
Jamie Kaler   Contribution
Rollins Duke
Rollins Duke  Approved By
Published On December 1st, 2025 • 5 min read

Microsoft Outlook is the most commonly used email client for personal as well as professional requirements. It provides various features for managing emails, contacts, tasks, etc. Outlook allows users to save individual emails externally depending on the requirement.  Among all the Outlook file formats, MSG files store individual emails, and OFT (Outlook File Template) is a format used for email templates. There are many Outlook users searching for how to convert MSG to OFT when they want to reuse an existing email message as a template. Since Outlook does not have a built-in option to convert the files, we need to figure out the best approach to do so.

Many professionals find themselves with important email messages in MSG files, such as standard replies or client notifications. To reuse these templates, the emails must be in OFT format. Thus, learning the right method to convert MSG Files to OFT can save hours of manual effort and help to maintain productivity.

The guide will give the best method to convert MSG to OFT format. But first, it’s important to understand the key reasons why many users need to carry out this conversion.

Overview of MSG & OFT File

MSG files are created by Microsoft Outlook and are saved when emails are saved with the Save As option. It consists of email body, attachments, metadata, formatting, etc. MSG files usually store a single email message. Users commonly store important emails locally to use them as email evidence, for forensic purposes, to move emails between systems, or to share with non-Outlook users.

OFT is a file format used to create and reuse email templates in Microsoft Outlook. This lets the user avoid typing the same content repeatedly. It serves for marketing and promotional emails, HR onboarding, internal company communications, and customer support reply templates.

Why​‍​‌‍​‍‌ Convert MSG to OFT?

There are several reasons why users decide to change the format of their MSG files into OFT. Most of them have been underlined in the article below:

  • To create a reusable template: Convert an MSG email containing standard or preformatted content to OFT format, allowing you to reuse the same email structure as many times as needed.
  • Automate Tasks in Outlook: OFT templates can feature Outlook rules or a sending automation tool for productivity.
  • Standard Corporate Email Designs: In the case of a brand email layout, headers, and so on, which can be shared by several ​‍​‌‍​‍‌employees.

How to Convert MSG to OFT Manually?

We can use Outlook to convert single MSG files to OFT format. Follow the steps:

  1. Open Microsoft Outlook.
  2. Drag and drop the .msg file into Outlook, or double-click to open the MSG file.
  3. Click on File > Save As.
  4. In the Save as type dropdown, choose Outlook Template.
  5. Select the destination location and click save.

Limitations: The simple method always comes with significant limitations. The method is done by navigating to each of the email message and then saving to OFT format. That is, when users have a large MSG file or require batch conversion, we need an alternate method.

Quick Method to Convert MSG to OFT

To convert MSG files to OFT format in batches, try out the most reliable solution – MSG Converter. The tool allows you to convert multiple files without losing the email formatting, attachments, or metadata. It completely overpowers the manual methods and offers an easy, efficient workflow for bulk conversion. With the simple interface and advanced capabilities, the software user can instantly generate reusable email templates.

How to Switch the MSG to OFT Format?

Get the desired version of the tool and complete the installation.

  1. Launch the tool on the system.
  2. Add MSG files using the Add File or Add Folder button.
  3. Select a file from the list and press Next.
  4. Choose the OFT format and destination location.
  5. Finally, hit the Export button to start the conversion.

Soon, you will get the resultant PFT files that are ready to open in Microsoft Outlook, edit or reuse as templates.

Why Use the Automated MSG to OFT Converter?

  • It supports batch conversion, which is useful when we are dealing with hundreds or thousands of MSG files. Therefore, instead of manually opening and saving each Outlook MSG file, users can convert them all in a single process. It drastically speeds up workflow efficiency and precisely minimises the manual errors that occur.
  • The tool ensures the original email layout, hyperlinks and styles remain intact even after the conversion. It accurately preserves complex elements like signatures and disclaimers, while keeping all metadata—including To, CC, BCC, and Subject fields—intact to prevent data loss. It makes the converted template ready to reuse.
  • Works without Outlook. The tool works without the need for Outlook installation. It is beneficial to have a solution that would work in an environment where Outlook is unavailable.
  • By eliminating repetitive manual processing, automated conversion significantly reduces the workload. Save time by converting MSG to OFT in batches.

Conclusion

Those who reuse email formats and want to improve productivity usually want to convert MSG to OFT format. There is a manual method that would allow users to convert the single files; however, it becomes inconvenient for bulk email file conversion. This article recommends an approach that lets us convert multiple MSG files to OFT templates while maintaining the original formatting. Where the requirement is for personal, technical or business requirements, converting msg to OFT enables consistent and reusable communication templates.