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Format

Internet Message Format

Summary

Name
Internet Message Format
Identifiers
  • PUID: fmt/278
  • MIME: message/rfc822
Format type
Email
Disclosure
Full
Description
Defined in RFC5322 the Internet Message Format provides a syntax for text messages that are sent among computer users, within the framework of "electronic mail". Consisting of header fields and an optional body, encoded using ASCII characters. The Internet Message Format (*.eml) is a format used by numerous email systems. The format does not prevent the use of alternative formats for storage of electronic mail on those systems.
File extensions
eml
Source
Digital Preservation Department / The National Archives

Relationships

Has lower priority than
Has priority over

Internal signatures

Outlook Express Mail Message

Note
Version of ARPA Internet Text Message. ASCII Characters, X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2900.3350 and including the two CRLF that terminate the line in the eml header. Signature may be too prescriptive and will need improving with more eml format testing.

Byte sequences

Min Frag Length
Absolute from BOF
Offset
0
Max offset
1024
Byte Sequence
0D0A582D4D696D654F4C453A2050726F6475636564204279204D6963726F736F6674204D696D654F4C452056362E30302E{4}2E{4}0D0A
Endianness
None

Emailchemy RFC2822

Note
Signature to identify RFC2822 standard messages output from Emailchemy email conversion application. Character sequence: X-Converted-By: Emailchemy ??.

Byte sequences

Min Frag Length
Absolute from BOF
Offset
0
Max offset
4096
Byte Sequence
0D0A582D436F6E7665727465642D42793A20456D61696C6368656D7920??2E
Endianness
None

Changelog

  • Updated in V60

    Release date
    11 June 2012

    Internet Message format (Outlook Express Mail Message): Existing signature refined through PRONOM Research.

  • Updated in V51

    Release date
    15 July 2011

    Internet Message Format: Existing signature refined through PRONOM Research.

  • Added in V38

    Release date
    1 August 2010

    Internet Message Format: Signature developed by Digital Preservation Department

    Internet Message Format: Full entry added