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Thunderbird Address book import to lap top problem. needs .csv file, but I only have a .bak file

mclucasjean
mclucasjean
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I have bought a lap top and need to copy my address book from my PC onto it. (full of hundreds of addresses). In the Thunderbird folder on my PC I have found "abook.mab.bak" file. But, when trying to import this in thunderbird, it is asking for a .csv or other file. the option to select a .bak file is not there. I have tried copy / paste the file directly into the profiles folder but they are not there when I want to write an e-mail. Can anyone help please?

I have bought a lap top and need to copy my address book from my PC onto it. (full of hundreds of addresses). In the Thunderbird folder on my PC I have found "abook.mab.bak" file. But, when trying to import this in thunderbird, it is asking for a .csv or other file. the option to select a .bak file is not there. I have tried copy / paste the file directly into the profiles folder but they are not there when I want to write an e-mail. Can anyone help please?

All Replies (2)

Toad-Hall
Toad-Hall
  • Top 10 Contributor
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re :In the Thunderbird folder on my PC I have found "abook.mab.bak" file.

'abook.mab' was the name of the 'Personal Address Book' as used in versions prior to version 78*.

When Thunderbird updated to a 78* version all the *.mab files got converted to *.sqlite files. The original 'abook.mab' file was renamed 'abook.mab.bak' - do not delete because it can be used although not in current state. A new file called 'abook.sqlite' is now the 'Personal Address Book'.

As you are talking about one of Thunderbirds default address books then you should be able to directly transfer from one profile to another. I'm presuming the laptop is also running an up to date version of Thunderbird - one of the 78* series.

On PC: In Thunderbird

  • Help > Troubleshooting Information
  • Under 'Application Basics' section - about 8th in list see 'Profile Folder' - click on 'Open Folder'

A new window opens showing contents of your 'profile name' folder.

  • Exit Thunderbird now.

'profile name folder will contain 'abook.sqlite' file.

  • Copy the 'abook.sqlite' file

On laptop: In Thunderbird

  • Help > Troubleshooting Information
  • Under 'Application Basics' section - about 8th in list see 'Profile Folder' - click on 'Open Folder'

A new window opens showing contents of your 'profile name' folder.

  • Exit Thunderbird now.

'profile name folder will contain 'abook.sqlite' file.

  • Delete the default 'abook.sqlite' file
  • Paste in the copied 'abook.sqlite' file
  • Start Thunderbird.
mclucasjean
mclucasjean Question owner
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Hi, I tried what you said, but it only copied a few of my groups over.

So I tried: Thunderbird – Address Book – Export. Saved the 2 csv files. On the laptop, I went to Thunderbird – Address Book – Import – Address books – Text files and imported the 2 csv files. Wow - it worked.