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Format

Microsoft Outlook Email Message

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Summary

Name
Microsoft Outlook Email Message
Version
97-2003
Identifiers
  • PUID: x-fmt/430
  • MIME: application/vnd.ms-outlook
Format type
Email
Disclosure
None
Description
This is an outline record only, and requires further details, research or authentication to provide information that will enable users to further understand the format and to assess digital preservation risks associated with it if appropriate. If you are able to help by supplying any additional information concerning this entry, please return to the main PRONOM page and select ‘Add an Entry’.
Format encoding
Binary
File extensions
msg, oft
Submitted by
Digital Preservation Department / The National Archives

Relationships

Has priority over

Internal signatures

Outlook Message Format

Description
Compound document header + IPM.Note + recip_version stream header

Byte sequences

Min Frag Length
Absolute from BOF
Offset
0
Max offset
None
Byte Sequence
D0CF11E0A1B11AE1{20}FEFF
Endianness
Little-endian
Min Frag Length
Variable
Offset
None
Max offset
None
Byte Sequence
49504D2E4E6F7465
Endianness
Little-endian
Min Frag Length
Variable
Offset
None
Max offset
None
Byte Sequence
720065006300690070005F00760065007200730069006F006E00
Endianness
Little-endian

Container signatures

Type: OLE2

12000 - Microsoft Outlook Email Message

File path
__properties_version1.0
File path
__nameid_version1.0

Changelog

  • V122

    Release date
    19 January 2026

    • Updated

      Microsoft Outlook Email Message: Added MIMEtype. Submitted by .

  • V89

    Release date
    8 March 2017

    • Updated

      Microsoft Outlook Email Message: Added extension signature oft

  • V60

    Release date
    11 June 2012

    • Updated

      Microsoft Outlook Email Message 97-2003: Container signature statement added to record notes.