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Converting Lotus Notes (HCL Notes) emails and databases into PDF format is a highly effective way to archive data, share communications, and maintain regulatory compliance. Depending on the volume of emails and whether you have specialized software, you can choose between native manual routes, workaround methods, or dedicated automated converters.

Method 1: The Native Print Feature (Best for Single/Few Emails)

The easiest way to convert a few Lotus Notes emails without any third-party tools is by using the system’s virtual print engine.

Open Lotus Notes: Launch your client application and open the database folder containing your targets.

Select the Target: Double-click to open the specific email, or highlight multiple individual items from the folder view.

Initiate Print: Click on the File menu at the top-left and select Print (or use the Ctrl + P shortcut on Windows).

Choose PDF Printer: In the printer selection dropdown, choose Microsoft Print to PDF (or Adobe PDF if you have Acrobat Pro installed). On a macOS client, click the PDF dropdown at the bottom of the dialog box and choose Save as PDF.

Execute and Save: Click OK or Print, select your preferred folder location on your computer, type in a file name, and click Save.

Method 2: The EML-to-Word Workaround (Best for Batch-Saving Manually)

If you need to batch-export a handful of messages without a PDF printer driver, you can utilize a drag-and-drop structural workaround.

Create Drop Folders: Create two separate temporary folders on your desktop, naming them Notes EML Emails and Notes HTML Emails.

Drag-and-Drop to EML: Open Lotus Notes, highlight the collection of emails you wish to export, and drag-and-drop them directly into your Notes EML Emails folder. They will auto-save as .eml files.

Convert to HTML via Outlook: Open Microsoft Outlook, open these .eml files, and go to File > Save As to save them individually as .html files inside your Notes HTML Emails folder.

Save as PDF in Word: Right-click the .html files and open them using Microsoft Word. Go to File > Save As, select PDF (*.pdf) from the “Save as type” dropdown, and save your document.

Method 3: Automated Third-Party Tools (Best for Large Databases & Attachments)

For enterprise-level data migration or migrating entire .nsf database files while keeping folder structures and heavy attachments intact, dedicated third-party converter software is recommended. Tools like SysTools NSF to PDF Converter or Kernel for Lotus Notes to PDF streamline this process. How can I convert an NSF file to PDF format? | Community