How to Import a Google Reader Folder Into Thunderbird

Google Reader can export your folder of feed subscriptions as a standard outline processor markup language, or OPML, file. You can import the OPML file into Mozilla Thunderbird, along with any other feed-reading program that supports standard OPML files. After importing the XML file, Thunderbird downloads all available items from each of your feeds. The OPML file doesn't contain information about feed items you've already read, so all messages initially appear as unread in Thunderbird.

Instructions

Export

1. Sign into your Google Reader account.

2. Click the gear icon at the top-right corner of the Google Reader page and select "Reader settings."

3. Click the "Import/Export" tab at the top of the Settings page.

4. Click the "Export your subscriptions as an OPML file" link and save the XML file to your computer.

Import

1. Open Mozilla Thunderbird, click the "File" menu, point to "New" and select "Other Account."

2. Click the "Blogs & News Feeds" option in the New Account window and click "Next."

3. Type a name for the account folder into the name box, click "Next" and click "Finish."

4. Click the name of your new account at the left side of the Mozllla Thunderbird window.

5. Click the "Manage Subscriptions" link in the main pane.

6. Click the "Import" button in the Feed Subscriptions window.

7. Browse to the downloaded Google-reader-subscriptions.xml file on your computer and double-click it to import your feeds into Thunderbird.

References

• Google Reader Help: Transferring Feeds Between Accounts
• Oberlin College Library: TicTOCs Journal Table of Contents Service

Resources

• Google: Reader
• Mozilla: Thunderbird