UPDATED - 4/16/2024 - Use "Save as PDF" instead of Print to PDF to preserve hyperlinks.

This article explains the IUPAT-approved procedure for preserving a Gmail message outside of Gmail.

This method uses "Save as PDF" to make a PDF of the message.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Print All (entire conversation)
• Print Message (just the message)

NOTE: If there are attachments, you will see them listed in the PDF file and initially they will be "clickable", however once the original message has been deleted from your mailbox, these links will stop working.  FOR THIS REASON YOU MUST SAVE ANY ATTACHMENTS SEPARATELY FROM THE MESSAGE.

Print All (entire conversation)

To save an entire conversation to a single PDF file, open the conversation to view the message.  Then, click on the Print icon.

The entire conversation thread will be opened in a new tab, and the print dialog will be opened for you.

In the Destination box, choose See more...

Choose Save PDF

Click Save

Navigate to where you want to save this file.  It is recommended that you store preserved mail on the file server (e.g., U: or P: drive) or on the G: drive.  You can also create a Mail folder under your Documents folder on your computer.  This will ensure that mail you have chosen to preserve will be backed up on a regular basis. 

Give the file a name - you might want to use the subject from the message. 

Then, click Save.

DON'T FORGET!  You will need to save the attachments as well!  Download them and then move them to the same folder as the preserved message.  

You may wish to create a subfolder for this conversation thread to keep your files organized.

Print Message (just the message)

If you wish to save a single message within a conversation thread, open the conversation thread and scroll to the message you wish to preserve.

Click the three dots to the right of the name of the sender of the message being preserved (1).  Then, click Print (2). 

The message will be opened in a new tab, and the print dialog will open.

In the Destination box, choose See more...

Choose Save PDF

Click Save

Navigate to where you want to save this file.  It is recommended that you store preserved mail on the file server (e.g., U: or P: drive) or on the G: drive.  You can also create a Mail folder under your Documents folder on your computer.  This will ensure that mail you have chosen to preserve will be backed up on a regular basis. 

Give the file a name - you might want to use the subject from the message. 

Then, click Save.

DON'T FORGET!  You will need to save the attachments as well!  Download them and then move them to the same folder as the preserved message.  

You may wish to create a subfolder for this conversation thread to keep your files organized.