Excel export for Lawyers

By the Mail → Excel team · Updated 2026-10-20

Matters are defined by documents and dates. An index that maps every document to a matter saves hours before a hearing. This page lists the exact columns, an example row and the command that produces it.

Columns to keep

Column	Why it matters
`matter`	The matter number is the primary key for legal correspondence.
`client`	The join key for every other report you will build later.
`date`	Message date in ISO 8601; sortable and unambiguous across time zones.
`document`	File name of the related attachment.
`privilege`	Marks privileged material so it can be filtered before sharing.

Example row

One real-shaped row from this role’s export:

matter	client	date	document	privilege
2026-114	Orion Ltd	2026-10-12	NDA_v2.pdf	privileged

Export it in one command

python mail_to_excel.py \
  --host imap.example.com --user you@example.com \
  --days 31 --fields matter,client,date,document,privilege \
  --out lawyer.xlsx

The --fields option is what turns a raw dump into a report your role can use.

Provider notes

Corporate Exchange often blocks app passwords; use OAuth or an export from Outlook desktop.

Two pitfalls that ruin the file

A document is filed under the wrong matter — Use the matter number in the subject line as the primary key, not the sender.
Confidential threads exported to a shared drive — Keep the export local or in an access-controlled folder; never in a general team share.

Next step

Step-by-step: export lawyer email to Excel · all roles · ready script ($3)

FAQ

Does the export include email bodies?

By default it is metadata only. Bodies can be added, but then the file becomes privileged material and needs stricter storage.

Can I prove nothing was missed?

Keep the message count from the run next to the row count — that is your completeness check.

Is there a ready script for this?

Yes — the Python script exports any IMAP mailbox with the fields listed above; it costs $3 and runs locally.

Related guides

Export lawyer email to ExcelStep-by-step with the same columns and command.
All roles20 professions, one export method.