Questions:

How can I export email, contacts, and calendar items from Outlook to a .pst file?

Is there a way I can backup my email account?

Answer:

This process can only be completed on the Outlook desktop apps for Windows or Mac. Your WSU email account must also be set up on the Outlook desktop app before you can export it to a .pst file for Windows or .olm file for Mac.


Export Outlook Email, Contacts, and Calendar Items on your Windows Device:

  1. Open the Outlook desktop app for Windows.
  2. At the top of your Outlook ribbon, select File.
  3. Select Open & Export > Import/Export.
  4. Select Export to a file.
  5. Select Outlook Data File (.pst) and click Next.
  6. Select the name of the email account you want to export. Information can only be exported one account at a time.
  7. Confirm that the Include subfolders check box is selected. This will export everything in the account: Calendar, Contacts, and Inbox.
  8. Click Next.
  9. Click Browse to select where to save the Outlook Data File (.pst). Type a file name and click OK to continue.
    1. Please Note: If you have exported your Outlook items before, the previous folder location and file name will appear. Please use a different file name before continuing.
  10. If you are exporting to an existing Outlook Data File (.pst), go to Options and specify what to do when exporting items that already exist in the file.
    1. Please Note: If you are exporting to an existing Outlook Data File (.pst) that is password protected, in the Outlook Data File Password dialog box, enter the password, and then click OK.
  11. Click Finish.
  12. Outlook begins the export immediately unless a new Outlook Data File (.pst) is created or a password-protected file is used.
    1. Please Note: If you are creating an Outlook Data File (.pst), an optional password can help protect the file. When the "Create Outlook Data File" dialog box appears, type the password in the Password and Verify Password boxes and click OK. In the Outlook Data File Password dialog box, enter the password, and click OK.


Export Outlook Email, Contacts, and Calendar Items on your Mac Device:

The export feature is only available in the older/legacy version of Outlook for Mac. Please view this Microsoft Support article to learn how to turn off New Outlook for Mac and access Legacy Outlook for Mac to complete the following process.

Please Note: Outlook for Mac exports all data to a .olm file. This file type is exclusive to Mac and can only be accessed via a Mac device.

  1. Open the Outlook desktop app for Mac.
  2. At the top of your Outlook ribbon, select File.
  3. Select Export.
  4. In the Export to Archive File (.olm) box, check the items you want to export: Mail, Calendar, Contacts, Tasks, or Notes.

  5. Click Continue.

  6. In the Save archive file (.olm) as: box, select where to save the Outlook data. Type a file name and click Save.
  7. You will receive a notification once your data has been exported. Click Finish.


Now that your Outlook data is in a .pst or .olm file, the information is portable. For example, you can save the .pst or .olm file to OneDrive and download it to your new computer. You can also save it to a USB flash drive, plug the drive into your new computer, and import your email, contacts, and calendar to the Outlook desktop app.


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Email - How to Import Outlook Items from a .pst File