User Guide
![](/images/extractem/paperclip_logo.png)
Extract Em! is an add-on/extension for the Mozilla Thunderbird email client application.
This extension extracts attachments from a folder or an entire account, or allows you to select specific attachments to include. Extracted attachments are saved to one or more .zip files.
- Right-click on an account, a folder, or a message to provide the attachment source, and select the Extract 'Em! item from the context menu. (Note: selecting a message sets the containing folder as the source.)
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If an account is selected, a screen will be displayed allowing for the selection of a subset of folders for extraction (the "Let Me Choose" option).
If a folder or message is selected, the Quick Menu is displayed with the following options:- Extract 'Em!: discovers all attachments in the selected folder and packages them in the .zip file immediately (subfolders omitted)
- Extract 'Em! (+ subfolders): includes subfolders in the immediate extraction
- Let Me Choose: allows selection of specific folders/subfolders for discovery, and specific attachments for inclusion
- An option for including embedded (inline-attached) images in the extraction process is also provided.
- Extract Immediate: attachment discovery and packaging progress are displayed; once complete, a prompt is provided for .zip file destination selection and filename assignment. A checkbox is provided in the Embeds column for toggling inclusion of inline-attached images.
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Let Me Choose: a screen presenting all folders and subfolders in the selected source is displayed.
- Select the specific folders to be included in attachment discovery, using the checkbox for individual folder selection and the folder label for toggling selection of associated subfolders.
- Click the Discover Attachments button to find all attachments in the selected folders.
- After discovery, if desired, select specific folders to further reduce the set of attachments to be included in packaging.
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To extract:
- Click the Extract 'Em! button to package all attachments in the selected folders.
- Alternatively, specific attachments can be included/excluded by selecting the Attachment List tab and using the provided checkboxes for individual attachment selection.
- When the Save prompt is presented, a destination filesystem folder and filename may be provided to replace the defaults.
Screenshots
![](/images/extractem/paperclip_logo.png)
![](/images/extractem/screenshots/EE-01 Context Menu.png)
Select Source
Right-click on an account, a folder, or a message to provide the attachment source, and select the Extract 'Em item from the context menu. (Note: selecting a message sets the containing folder as the source.)
![](/images/extractem/screenshots/EE-02_02 Quick Menu.png)
Quick Menu
Select an Extract 'Em! option to immediately extract all attachments in the source, or Let Me Choose for more granular selection.
![](/images/extractem/screenshots/EE-03_03 Extract Immediate.png)
Immediate Extraction
Attachment discovery and packaging progress are displayed before the user is prompted for destination file details.
![](/images/extractem/screenshots/EE-04_03 Let Me Choose.png)
Let Me Choose
Specific folders can be included or omitted for attachment discovery.
![](/images/extractem/screenshots/EE-05_02 Attachment List.png)
Attachment List
Specific attachments may be included or omitted. If a folder grouping is selected under the Extract 'Em! options, entire groups may likewise be incuded or omitted.
![](/images/extractem/screenshots/EE-06 Image Zoom.png)
Image Zoom
For image attachments, click on the preview image to display the item in a zoom window. Click on the zoom window to dismiss.
Options
![](/images/extractem/paperclip_logo.png)
- Fully interactive UI; allows for selection of specific attachments to extract
- Displays a shortcut menu when Extract 'Em! is opened
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Saves all attachments from messages in the selected folder with limited user intervention; excludes sub-folders
- Includes attachments in sub-folders during immediate extraction
- Omits UI presentation, with the exception of the save prompt
- Identifies and includes images embedded in the message body (inline images)
- Stores the attachments in the .zip archive in the same folders they reside under in Thunderbird
- Outputs additional troubleshooting information to the debugger console
- Groups items in the Attachment List according to the specified attribute
- Specifies the size of the Preview Image for items in the Attachment List
Acknowledgments
![](/images/extractem/paperclip_logo.png)
I would like to express my gratitude to the following for their contributions and assistance regarding this project:
- The developer Deimios, whose Attachment Saver extension provided me with a starting point
- The zip.js library which provides the current .zip file packaging component (courtesy of gildas-lormeau)
- The JSZip library which provided the .zip file packaging component through version 1.1.2 of Extract 'Em! (courtesy of Stuart K.)
- The various contributors offering their translation services
- The various contributors to the Thunderbird Add-on Developers forum who are prompt and most helpful in responding to inquiries.