Searching your archive
The search bar sits at the top. Type a word and Mbox Viewer searches subject, sender, recipient and the full content. Results appear instantly; for a large mailbox the search engine keeps scanning in the background while you already read.
Press the slash key (/) to move the cursor straight into the search bar, wherever you are in the window.
Gmail-style operators
Refine your search with operators, just like Gmail. Combine them freely: from:invoice@ subject:reminder has:attachment finds invoices with an attachment.
| Operator | Does | Example |
|---|---|---|
from: |
sender | from:bank@ |
to: |
recipient | to:me@company.com |
cc: / bcc: |
copy and blind copy | cc:colleague@ |
subject: |
subject | subject:contract |
has:attachment |
has an attachment | has:attachment |
has:link / has:image |
has a link or image | has:link |
before: / after: |
before or after a date | after:2024-01-01 |
older_than: / newer_than: |
older or newer than | newer_than:30d |
larger: / smaller: |
larger or smaller | larger:5m |
is:starred |
starred | is:starred |
is:suspicious |
flagged by forensics | is:suspicious |
tag: |
has a tag | tag:case |
filename: |
attachment name | filename:quote.pdf |
header: |
raw header | header:list-unsubscribe |
Regex and saved searches
Turn on regex mode to match patterns, for example every IBAN or invoice number. An invalid regex is reported clearly so you can fix it.
Save a search you use often. Saved searches are stored locally alongside your tags, stars and notes and belong to your workspace, which you can export and import.
Filtering with the toolbar
Above the list is a row of compact filter buttons. A button lights up while its filter is active.
- Attachmentshows only messages with one or more attachments.
- Starshows only messages you starred.
- Source filefilters by the file the message was imported from.
- Item typeappears for a pst or ost import and filters by mail, contacts, appointments, tasks or notes.
- Date rangefilters on a period.
Does the search bar also search the content of attachments?
The search bar searches subject, sender, recipient, message body and, with filename:, the names of attachments. So you find attachments by name.
Can I combine several operators?
Yes. Place them one after another with a space. All conditions then apply together.
Are my saved searches kept?
Yes, they are stored locally in your browser. Through Settings you can export your whole workspace and import it on another device.
Why does a large archive keep loading while I can already search?
Mbox Viewer shows results instantly and keeps scanning large mailboxes in the background. That way you do not have to wait until everything is read in.
Also read how to export a selection or how the forensic view spots suspicious mail.