Import email attachments into Mammoth over IMAP
The Email (IMAP) connector reads a mailbox over IMAP so files that arrive as email attachments can come into Mammoth. It's a file source, like a drive or file server. Open it from Data Library > New dataset > Connectors and search for Email (IMAP). Project Admins create the connection; Project Editors can start datasets from a connection the project already has. Which connectors you can add depends on your plan.
What you can bring in from email
- Attachments of these types:
.csv,.tsv,.xls,.xlsxand.xlsm. - Attachments from unread messages. Mammoth lists attachments from the 50 most recent unread messages in a folder, newest first. The default folder is
INBOX.
Before you connect a mailbox
You need:
- The mailbox's IMAP server, port and security setting.
- The email address and its password. Many providers require an app password for IMAP access. For Gmail, create one at myaccount.google.com/apppasswords.
- IMAP access turned on for the mailbox.
Connect a mailbox over IMAP
- Go to the Data Library, click New dataset, and choose Connectors.
- Search for Email (IMAP) and click its tile. The connector workspace opens with the Chat showing. See Connect a database or app for the shared steps.
- Enter the connection details below and connect.
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Host | IMAP server. Default imap.gmail.com. Other examples: outlook.office365.com, imap.mail.yahoo.com |
| Port | Default 993 |
| Security | SSL/TLS (port 993) (default), STARTTLS (port 143) or None |
| The mailbox address | |
| Password | The mailbox password or app password |
| Display Name | Optional label for this connection in Mammoth |
| Allow self-signed certificate | Tick only if your mail server uses a self-signed certificate |
| Security option | What it does |
|---|---|
| SSL/TLS (port 993) | Encrypts the connection from the start |
| STARTTLS (port 143) | Upgrades a plain connection to an encrypted one |
| None | Sends credentials in clear text |
When Allow self-signed certificate is off (the default), Mammoth checks the server's TLS certificate. Turn it on only for a trusted server.
Keep collecting new email attachments
A file you save from a file source is saved once; Mammoth shows Saved once. Scheduled refresh for files is coming. Email (IMAP) datasets can't be added to a Dataset Refresh automation. To keep bringing in new attachments:
- Set up a File Collection automation with Email (IMAP) as the source. See What you can automate.
- Set up a Data Consolidation automation to add the collected files to a dataset.
Email (IMAP) limits
| Limit | Value |
|---|---|
| Messages scanned when listing attachments | The 50 most recent unread messages in the folder |
| Attachment size | Attachments over 100 MB are skipped |
| Attachment types | .csv, .tsv, .xls, .xlsx, .xlsm |
Troubleshoot IMAP connections
| Symptom | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Connection fails | Port doesn't match Security | Use 993 for SSL/TLS and 143 for STARTTLS |
| Connection fails | IMAP is off, or the provider needs an app password | Turn on IMAP access for the mailbox, and use an app password |
| Certificate error | The server uses a self-signed certificate | Tick Allow self-signed certificate |
| An attachment doesn't appear | It's on an older or already-read message, too large, or an unsupported type | Check it's among the 50 most recent unread messages, under 100 MB, and a supported type |
Related
- Connect a database or app: the shared connector workspace steps.
- What you can automate: set up a File Collection automation.
- Combine incoming data: add collected attachments to one dataset.
- Receive data by webhook: let another system push data to Mammoth instead.
- Manage saved connections: reuse or remove this connection.
Something wrong? support@mammoth.io