In today’s digital age, email has become an indispensable tool for both personal and professional communication. While it’s convenient and efficient, there may be times when you need to forward an email to someone else without them knowing. Copying an email, also known as “blind copying” or “BCC,” allows you to send a copy of an email to a recipient without their email address being visible to the other recipients. This can be useful for various reasons, such as maintaining privacy, avoiding unwanted replies, or ensuring that everyone receives the email.
The process of copying an email is typically straightforward. Most email clients have a dedicated “BCC” field where you can enter the email address of the recipient you want to copy. Once you’ve entered the email address, the recipient will receive a copy of the email without their address being visible to the other recipients. It’s important to note that copying an email without the knowledge of the recipient may raise ethical concerns in certain situations. Therefore, it’s always advisable to use this feature with discretion and respect for the privacy of others.
In addition to BCC, some email clients also offer the option of “CC” (carbon copy). CCing a recipient differs from BCCing in that the recipient’s email address will be visible to all other recipients. This can be useful when you want to keep someone informed of an email conversation without giving them the ability to reply. Whether you choose to BCC or CC a recipient will depend on the specific circumstances and your communication goals.
Copying Mail via the Command Line
The cpio command can be used to copy mail from one mailbox to another. The general syntax for the cpio command is as follows:
cpio -o
For example, to copy all of the mail from the inbox mailbox to the newmail mailbox, you would use the following command:
cpio -o ~/Mail/inbox ~/Mail/newmail
You can also use the cpio command to copy mail between different mail servers. For example, to copy all of the mail from the inbox mailbox on the server mail.example.com to the newmail mailbox on the server mail2.example.com, you would use the following command:
The cpio command can also be used to copy mail from a mailbox to a file. For example, to copy all of the mail from the inbox mailbox to the file mail.txt, you would use the following command:
cpio -o ~/Mail/inbox > mail.txt
You can also use the cpio command to copy mail from a file to a mailbox. For example, to copy all of the mail from the file mail.txt to the inbox mailbox, you would use the following command:
cpio -i < mail.txt ~/Mail/inbox
Option
Description
-o
Specifies the source mailbox
-i
Specifies the destination mailbox
-v
Verbose output
-d
Create directories as needed
-p
Preserve file permissions
Using the Mail App to Copy Mail
The Mail app is a convenient way to manage and organize your emails. It offers a range of features, including the ability to copy emails to new locations or create backups.
Copy Emails Using the Mail App
Open the Mail app and select the email you want to copy.
Click on the "File" menu and select "Save As."
Alternatively, you can also use the keyboard shortcut "Ctrl+Shift+S" (for Windows) or "Command+Shift+S" (for Mac) to quickly save the email.
In the "Save As" dialog box, specify the destination folder and file name for the saved email.
Click on the "Save" button to create a copy of the email in the specified location.
The saved email will be an EML file, which can be opened using the Mail app or any other email client that supports the EML format.
Additional Notes
When saving an email as an EML file, the entire email, including attachments, will be included in the saved file.
You can also use the Mail app to copy multiple emails at once. To do this, select the emails you want to copy, right-click on any of the selected emails, and select "Save As" from the context menu.
Platform
Keyboard Shortcut for Save As
Windows
Ctrl+Shift+S
Mac
Command+Shift+S
Copying Specific Portions of Emails
To copy only a specific portion of an email, follow these steps:
Highlight the desired text:
Use your mouse or keyboard to select the specific text you want to copy.
Right-click and select "Copy":
Once you have highlighted the desired text, right-click and select the "Copy" option from the context menu.
Paste the copied text:
Navigate to the location where you want to paste the copied text and right-click. Select the "Paste" option to insert the text into the desired location.
Alternatively, a keyboard shortcut can be used to copy the highlighted text:
Operating System
Keyboard Shortcut
Windows
Ctrl + C
Mac
Command + C
By following these steps, you can easily copy specific portions of emails to your desired location.
Duplicating Emails with Attachments
Copying emails with attachments is a straightforward process that allows you to create duplicates of emails, including any files or documents attached to the original message. Follow the steps outlined below to successfully duplicate emails with attachments:
Open the email you want to duplicate.
Click the "Forward" button.
In the "To" field, enter the email address you want to send the duplicated email to. You can also add additional recipients if desired.
In the "Subject" field, enter a new subject line for the duplicated email. You can choose to keep the original subject line or modify it as needed.
Option
Explanation
Keep original subject line
The duplicated email will have the same subject line as the original email.
Modify subject line
You can edit the subject line to change the wording or provide additional information about the duplicated email.
Review the body of the email and make any necessary changes. You can add or remove text, edit formatting, or include additional attachments if desired.
Click the "Send" button to send the duplicated email.
Once you send the duplicated email, it will appear in the recipient's inbox with the new subject line and body content, along with any attachments that were included in the original email.
Utilizing Keyboard Shortcuts for Fast Copying
Mastering keyboard shortcuts is crucial for efficient mail copying. Here's a comprehensive guide:
Copy Selected Text (Windows)
To copy highlighted text, press "Ctrl + C."
Copy Selected Text (Mac)
On Mac, use the shortcut "Command + C."
Copy Email from Preview Pane
In some email clients, you can copy an entire email directly from the preview pane. Use "Ctrl + A" (Windows) or "Command + A" (Mac) to select all text, then press "Ctrl + C."
Copy Multiple Emails (Windows)
To copy multiple emails, first select them using "Ctrl + click." Then, press "Ctrl + C" to copy their contents.
Copy Multiple Emails (Mac)
On Mac, select multiple emails using "Command + click." To copy them, press "Command + C."
Copy Email as Attachment
If you need to copy an email as an attachment, open the email and click the "Forward" button. In the "To" field, enter your own email address. Press "Send," and the email will be sent to you as an attachment.
Copy Headers Only
To copy only the email headers (e.g., sender, subject, date), open the email. Right-click in the header area and select "Copy Headers" (Windows) or "Copy Message Headers" (Mac).
Copy As Text/HTML
Some email clients allow you to choose whether to copy emails as text or HTML. This can be useful if you want to remove HTML formatting or preserve it.
Copy to Clipboard History (Windows)
Windows 10 users can utilize the "Clipboard History" feature to access previously copied items. Press "Windows Key + V" to view copied content.
Operating System
Keyboard Shortcut
Windows
Ctrl + C
Mac
Command + C
Managing Copied Emails in Separate Folders
Copying emails can be a useful way to organize and manage your inbox. By creating folders for different categories of emails, you can keep your inbox organized and make it easier to find the emails you need.
Creating Folders for Specific Purposes
The first step to managing copied emails is to create a folder for the emails you copy. You can do this by clicking on the "New Folder" icon in your email client. You can create folders for any type of emails, such as:
Personal
Work
Projects
Shopping
Travel
Using Filters to Automatically Sort Emails
Once you have created your folders, you can set up filters to automatically sort your emails into the correct folders. Filters are rules that you can create to determine which emails should be copied into a particular folder. You can create filters based on the sender, subject, or content of the email.
Creating Subfolders for More Organization
If you have a large number of emails in a particular category, you may want to create subfolders to further organize your emails. For example, if you have a folder for work emails, you could create subfolders for different projects or clients.
Managing Duplicate Emails
When you copy emails, you may end up with duplicate emails in different folders. To avoid this, you can use the "Mark as Read" feature in your email client. When you mark an email as read, it will no longer appear as a new email in your inbox or in any of your folders.
Searching for Copied Emails
If you need to find a copied email, you can use the search bar in your email client. You can search for emails by sender, subject, or content. You can also search for emails within a particular folder.
Feature
Description
Create folders
Organize emails into categories
Use filters
Automatically sort emails into folders
Create subfolders
Further organize emails within folders
Mark as read
Avoid duplicate emails
Search
Find copied emails easily
Preserving Email Formatting during Copy
Copying an email while maintaining its original formatting can be crucial for preserving context and legibility. Here are some methods to ensure the formatting is preserved:
1. Copy and Paste with Formatting
Select the email text and use the "Copy with Formatting" option from the context menu or keyboard shortcut (Ctrl + Shift + C). Paste the text into the destination using the "Paste with Formatting" option (Ctrl + Shift + V).
2. Use "Match Destination Formatting"
When pasting into a text editor or email client that supports different formatting options, choose the "Match Destination Formatting" option from the context menu or paste options. This will adjust the formatting to match the destination style.
3. Copy as HTML
Select the email and use the "Copy as HTML" option from the context menu. Paste the HTML into the destination and select "HTML" or "Web Page" as the format.
4. Save as PDF
Save the email as a PDF document. This will preserve the original formatting, including images and attachments.
5. Use Cloud Services
Certain cloud services, such as Gmail and Outlook, offer "Copy as Markdown" options. Markdown is a lightweight markup language that preserves formatting and structure.
6. Use a Browser Extension
Browser extensions like "Copy Paste Formatter" allow users to copy and paste text from emails while preserving formatting.
7. Advanced Techniques
For more complex formatting needs, such as preserving custom fonts or line spacing, consider using these advanced techniques:
Technique
Description
Custom CSS Styling
Add custom CSS styles to the destination text to match the original formatting.
HTML Conversion and Editing
Copy the email as HTML, edit the HTML code to match the original formatting, and paste the modified HTML into the destination.
Copy and Paste as Image
Select the email and copy it as an image (Ctrl + Shift + Print Screen), then paste the image into the destination.
Filtering and Sorting Emails for Copying
To narrow down your search and locate the specific emails you need to copy, you can utilize the filtering and sorting capabilities provided by most email clients.
Sender
Enter the sender's email address or name in the search bar to filter emails from a specific individual or organization.
Subject
Type a keyword or phrase related to the email's subject line to narrow down your search results.
Recipient
Enter the recipient's email address or name to filter emails that were sent to or received from a particular individual.
Date
Specify a date range or select predefined options like "Yesterday," "Last Week," or "Last Month" to filter emails sent or received during a specific period.
Attachment
Check the "Has Attachment" option to only display emails that contain attachments.
Label
Apply a label or tag to emails that you want to group together, then filter by that label to quickly locate them.
Starred
Filter by starred emails to prioritize and easily copy important messages.
Unread
If you're catching up on emails, filter by unread messages to focus on new or unprocessed correspondence that you need to attend to.
| Sorting Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Date (Descending) | Newest emails appear first |
| Date (Ascending) | Oldest emails appear first |
| Sender (A-Z) | Emails are sorted alphabetically by sender's email address or name |
| Sender (Z-A) | Emails are sorted in reverse alphabetical order by sender's email address or name |
Copying Mail from Multiple Accounts
Setting up email copying from multiple accounts can be a useful way to keep track of all your correspondence in one place. Here's how to do it:
1. Choose an email client that supports multiple accounts.
There are a number of email clients that support multiple accounts. Some of the most popular include:
Microsoft Outlook
Mozilla Thunderbird
Apple Mail
2. Add your accounts to the email client.
Once you have chosen an email client, you need to add your accounts to it. This is usually done by going to the "Accounts" or "Settings" menu in the email client and clicking on the "Add Account" button. You will then need to enter your account information, such as your email address and password.
3. Create a rule to copy incoming mail.
Once you have added your accounts to the email client, you need to create a rule to copy incoming mail. This is usually done by going to the "Rules" or "Filters" menu in the email client and clicking on the "Create Rule" button. You will then need to specify the conditions for the rule, such as which accounts the rule should apply to and which folders the mail should be copied to.
4. Test the rule.
Once you have created the rule, you should test it to make sure that it is working properly. To do this, send yourself an email from one of your accounts. The email should be copied to the folder that you specified in the rule.
5. Repeat steps 2-4 for each account.
If you want to copy mail from multiple accounts, you will need to repeat steps 2-4 for each account.
6. Other methods of copying mail.
There are a number of other methods that you can use to copy mail from multiple accounts. These methods include:
Using a web-based email service that supports multiple accounts.
Using a POP3 or IMAP email client.
Using a mail forwarding service.
7. Which method is right for me?
The best method for copying mail from multiple accounts depends on your needs. If you need to copy mail from a large number of accounts, then using a web-based email service or a POP3 or IMAP email client is probably the best option. If you only need to copy mail from a few accounts, then using a mail forwarding service may be a better option.
8. Security considerations.
When copying mail from multiple accounts, it is important to take security into consideration. Make sure that you are using a secure email client and that you are not sharing your account information with anyone else.
9. Troubleshooting.
If you are having trouble copying mail from multiple accounts, there are a few things that you can check:
Problem
Solution
The rule is not working.
Make sure that the rule is enabled and that the conditions for the rule are correct.
The mail is not being copied to the correct folder.
Make sure that the folder that you specified in the rule is correct.
I am getting an error message.
Check the error message for more information about the problem.
Advanced Techniques for Efficient Mail Copying
1. Use Keyboard Shortcuts
Master keyboard shortcuts like "Ctrl+C" for copying and "Ctrl+V" for pasting to streamline your copying process.
2. Copy Selected Text Only
Avoid copying unnecessary text. Use the mouse to select only the text you need, then use the right-click menu to copy.
3. Copy Attachments from Multiple Emails
In Outlook, use the "Select All" button to select multiple emails. Then, go to the "Attachments" group and click "Save All Attachments."
4. Copy Mail to a Specific Folder
When copying mail, use the right-click menu to select the destination folder. This ensures that the copied mail is organized.
5. Copy Mail with Formatting
To copy mail with formatting, use the "Paste Special" option and select "Keep Source Formatting."
6. Copy Emails for Legal or Archival Purposes
For legal or archival purposes, use third-party software or browser extensions that allow for secure and tamper-proof email copying.
7. Use Automated Rules for Email Copying
Create automatic rules to copy emails based on specific criteria, such as sender, subject, or keyword.
8. Copy Emails to Cloud Storage
Use cloud services like Dropbox or Google Drive to store copied emails for easy access and sharing.
9. Copy Emails to OneNote
In OneNote, use the "Copy to OneNote" option in the right-click menu to copy emails directly into your notes.
10. Transfer Emails between Accounts
To transfer emails between different email accounts, use the "Import/Export" feature in your email providers' settings or third-party transfer tools.
Mail Provider
Import/Export Feature
Gmail
Settings > Accounts and Import > Import mail and contacts
Outlook
File > Open & Export > Import/Export
Yahoo
Settings > Accounts > Import Mail
How To Copy Mail
Copying mail is a simple process that can be done in a few steps. First, open the email you want to copy. Then, click on the "More" button in the top right corner of the email. From the drop-down menu, select "Copy to." A new window will open, where you can select the folder or label you want to copy the email to. Finally, click on the "Copy" button.
You can also copy multiple emails at once. To do this, select the emails you want to copy by clicking on the checkboxes next to them. Then, click on the "More" button and select "Copy to." A new window will open, where you can select the folder or label you want to copy the emails to.
Once you have copied the emails, they will appear in the folder or label you selected. You can then access them just like any other email.
People Also Ask
How do I copy an email to a different account?
To copy an email to a different account, you can use the "Forward" feature. Open the email you want to forward, then click on the "More" button. From the drop-down menu, select "Forward." A new window will open, where you can enter the email address of the account you want to forward the email to. You can also add a message to the email if you want.
How do I copy an email to a folder?
To copy an email to a folder, open the email and click on the "More" button. From the drop-down menu, select "Move to." A new window will open, where you can select the folder you want to move the email to. You can also create a new folder if you want.
How do I copy an email as an attachment?
To copy an email as an attachment, open the email and click on the "More" button. From the drop-down menu, select "Print." A new window will open, where you can select the "Save as PDF" option. The email will be saved as a PDF file, which you can then attach to another email.
