Import Mail query

whoseblues · 31 Dec 2019, 06:15 AM

Hey all -- long-time FM user (16 yrs!), finally convinced family to move across so am planning the big migration job.

I have a query with the Import Mail function, that the help pages (and my attempts to search this forum) haven't clarified. What does the Import function do to the original mails being imported - is it in effect a 'copy' or 'move' function? Having to do some significant end-user hand-holding here, so keen to be certain before pressing go.

Thanks in advance!

Berenburger · 31 Dec 2019, 07:48 AM

It’s a copy function.

whoseblues · 31 Dec 2019, 03:41 PM

Super - many thanks!

BritTim · 1 Jan 2020, 05:26 AM

Although it works out slower, it is often more transparent what is happening if you use a mail client like Thunderbird to copy the messages across.When you get into the conversion process, you will often decide you want to reorganise the folder layout a bit. If you do use the FastMail Import, I would suggest you import the messages into a separate folder hierarchy, carefully checking that everything has been received as expected, before moving the messages to their final locations. Missing messages that are not discovered until a lot later is a fairly common issue.

31 Dec 2019, 06:15 AM	#1
whoseblues Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 3	Import Mail query Hey all -- long-time FM user (16 yrs!), finally convinced family to move across so am planning the big migration job. I have a query with the Import Mail function, that the help pages (and my attempts to search this forum) haven't clarified. What does the Import function do to the original mails being imported - is it in effect a 'copy' or 'move' function? Having to do some significant end-user hand-holding here, so keen to be certain before pressing go. Thanks in advance!

31 Dec 2019, 07:48 AM	#2
Berenburger The "e" in e-mail Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,905	It’s a copy function.

31 Dec 2019, 03:41 PM	#3
whoseblues Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 3	Super - many thanks!

1 Jan 2020, 05:26 AM	#4
BritTim The "e" in e-mail Join Date: May 2003 Location: mostly in Thailand Posts: 3,090	Although it works out slower, it is often more transparent what is happening if you use a mail client like Thunderbird to copy the messages across.When you get into the conversion process, you will often decide you want to reorganise the folder layout a bit. If you do use the FastMail Import, I would suggest you import the messages into a separate folder hierarchy, carefully checking that everything has been received as expected, before moving the messages to their final locations. Missing messages that are not discovered until a lot later is a fairly common issue.