Questions:

How do I import Outlook items from a .pst File?

Can I add a .pst data file to Outlook to see what it contains?

Answer:

These instructions assume you already exported your Outlook email, contacts, and calendar from another instance of Outlook and now want to import them to Outlook on another machine.


Table of Contents:


Import Outlook Email, Contacts, and Calendar Items on your Windows

  1. Open the Outlook desktop app for Windows.
  2. At the top of your Outlook ribbon, select File.
  3. Click Open & Export > Import/Export. This will start the wizard.
  4. Click Import from another program or file and click Next.
  5. Select Outlook Data File (.pst) and click Next.
  6. Find the .pst file you want to import. Under Options, choose how you want to import emails and contacts, then click Next.
  7. If a password was assigned to the Outlook Data File (.pst), enter the password, and click OK.
  8. Select where you want to import the .pst file:
    1. If you are importing the contents of your .pst file to an Office 365 mailbox, select that mailbox. 
    2. If you are NOT importing the contents of your .pst file to an Office 365 mailbox, select Import items into the current folder. This will import the data into the folder currently selected.
  9. Click Finish. Outlook will start importing the contents of your .pst file immediately. The progress box will disappear when the import completes.
    1. Please Note: If you are importing your .pst file to an Office 365 mailbox, you may see a message that it is trying to connect with Office 365. This happens when the internet connection is interrupted, even for a moment. Once your internet connection is re-established, Outlook will continue importing the .pst file. 

 

Alternative Method – Add your .pst file in Outlook on Windows

On Windows, you can also choose to add the .pst file to Outlook without importing it. This will set the contents of the file as a separate account with a set of folders. To do this, add the .pst as an additional data file to open when you start the Outlook app.

  1. Search for the Control Panel in the search box by the start button.
    Control Panel App

  2. In the Control Panel, find the Mail (Microsoft Outlook) option and click on that.
    Mail (Microsoft Outlook) Icon in Control Panel

  3. In the resulting box, select Data Files.
    Mail Setup Box with Data Files Button

  4. Click Add.
    Data Files Tab - Add Choice

  5. When the Create or Open Outlook Data File box opens, select the Outlook Data File (.pst) ythat you want to add and click OK.
    Browsing Box to find PST file

  6. The data file will then add to the list and the next time you open Outlook, you will see an additional set of folders on your folder list on the left with the contents of the .pst file.
    Data Files Tab now including new PST File

    Extra Folder List in Outlook for Added Data File


Import Outlook Email, Contacts, and Calendar Items on your Mac

The import 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.

Import .pst file from Outlook for Windows

A .pst file is the data file used by Outlook for Windows to archive email messages, contacts, calendar items, tasks, and notes. Import the .pst file to transfer messages from a Windows-based computer to the Outlook 2016 for Mac or Outlook 2019 for Mac desktop apps.

  1. Open the Outlook desktop app on your Mac device.

  2. At the top of your Outlook ribbon, select File.
  3. Select Import.

  4. In the Import box, select Outlook for Windows archive file (.pst) > Continue.



  5. Locate the .pst file on your Mac, select it, and click Import.

  6. When the import process completes, click Finish. Imported items appear in the navigation pane under On My Computer.


Import .olm file from Outlook for Mac

A .olm file is the data file used by Outlook for Mac to archive email messages, contacts, calendar items, tasks, and notes. Import the .olm file to transfer data from one Mac to another or when upgrading to the Outlook 2016 for Mac or Outlook 2019 for Mac desktop apps.

  1. Open the Outlook desktop app on your Mac device.

  2. At the top of your Outlook ribbon, select File.
  3. Select Import.

  4. In the Import box, select Outlook for Mac archive file (.olm) > Continue.



  5. Locate the .olm file on your Mac, select it, and click Import.

  6. When the import process completes, click Finish. Imported items appear in the navigation pane under On My Computer.


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Email - How to Export Email, Contacts, and Calendar Items from Outlook to a .pst File