Home / ubuntu / Questions / 149214
In Process
Dave
Asked: 2012-06-11 17:06:58 +0800 CST

Copy skype chat history to text files?

  • 772

I'd like to convert my Skype chat history to a collection of text files for archival purposes. Ideally, I'd like to have a command (e.g. script or app) so that I could do this on a regular basis.

Any one have any idea on how to go about doing this?

skype

7 Answers

  1. Your Skype chat history is stored inside a file named main.db located by default at:

    ~/.Skype/SKYPEUSERNAME/


    Open the File

    These files are binary files and can be viewed using:

    • a Hex editor like ghex;

    • or a regular editor like GVim;

    • BUT for an efficient analysis, you should use a SQLite editor like Sqliteman:

      Performing a query to select the intended data, you can export the results to CSV, HTML, XLS, SQL and other formats.


    Backup the File

    You can use a simple cp command to copy the folder to somewhere else you want it to.
    You can put this command in a cron.daily if you want it to run daily.

    • 17

  2. Try the software called "Skyperious" which can be clones/ downloaded from HERE. They have installable software for Linux, Windows as well as for Mac.

    • 8

  3. http://www.kudosknowledge.com/how-do-i-export-skype-chat-history/ describes how to do it, but I believe it assumes a Windows install of Skype. Basically, everything is in your ~/.Skype folder, and you'll need to read the sqlite database corresponding to your account. It shouldn't be too hard to make a script to do it, but I'm not aware of any that currently exist.

    EDIT:

    Archive.org has a working version of the link: https://web.archive.org/web/20130406134219/http://www.kudosknowledge.com/how-do-i-export-skype-chat-history/

    • 5

  4. There's a good and free windows program that works great with Wine: http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/skype_log_view.html

    Tested it on Lubuntu 13.10 & Wine 1.7.10, really awesome utility.

    • 3

  5. If you're not afraid to upload your Skype database to the web, there is an online tool that allows exporting chats from main.db into html files: http://www.skypebrowser.com

    Seems to work OK with small databases.

    • 3

  6. Skype log view reads skype files u can also simly copy all. Open ur skype chat window to the person u want the istory on make sure the display is set to show from the beginning and select all tohighlight copy and past to an text editor.

    • 1

  7. You should be able to simply:

    1. Right click in a chat window → Select All
    2. Press Ctrl+C to copy.
    3. Paste it into a file of your choice.

    The output will be something like this:

    [7:39:36 AM] username1: hello
[7:39:46 AM] username2: hello to you as well

    Originally from here.

    • 0