How do I save a messages in text, NOT template or file?

Question

I want to be able to save an email from outlook, gmail, Hotmail, or any other format as a plain text or rich text message. Several of my emails are readable by TB24, but the only option for saving them is the Template or file. This is fine for those messages already in the mailbox, but if I can read an archived message in TB format, I should be able to save it in the same fashion. I guess a converter plugin is needed or a tutorial on how to properly save emails from other formats. Ex I open a folder containing an email from a past Outlook acct, The email can be deciphered by TB24, (ie it opens it), but when I try to save it to file(which gives options for format), it doesn't respond to my request!! Am I not doing something correctly or does the TB24 program "block" that function because of it is not in the TB24 mailbox? Baffling and frustrating when try to find a particular message from numerous formats. Thanks to all those who know more than I about this.

Answer 1

'''File|Save As|File''' then in the resulting dialogue, choose "text" file type when saving. Of course in doing so you lose all formatting and attachments.
How do you search and index messages when saved as independent and free-standing text files? I keep email correspondence within the email client specifically because the tools to manage and search are effective and efficient. In fact I occasionally email myself something that needs to be preserved simply because as email it is so easy and convenient to find and retrieve. Searching for text in documents in Windows has become a chore.
I'm not at all sure why you want to open email messages from other environments in Thunderbird, only to save them as text files. But have you tried "Edit As New" to see if that will offer other save options?
What format(s) are these other messages from outlook, gmail, windows live saved in then?
Don't forget simple old select all, copy and paste to save message content in any other document type.