Convert OLM to CSV: Export Mac Outlook Contacts to Excel
Converting OLM contacts to CSV lets you open Mac Outlook contacts in Excel, import them to Windows Outlook or upload them to Gmail and other platforms. The Turgs OLM Converter Wizard reads OLM files directly on Windows and exports contacts as a clean CSV file with all fields intact. Free trial converts 25 contacts.
OLM is Mac Outlook’s archive format. CSV is what everything else reads.
If you are moving from a Mac to Windows, switching from Outlook to Gmail, or just need your contacts in a spreadsheet, you need to convert OLM to CSV first. Mac Outlook does not export directly to CSV, so you need either a manual workaround or a dedicated converter.
This guide covers both approaches to convert OLM to CSV so you can pick the one that fits your situation.
Why Convert OLM Contacts to CSV?
OLM files store your Mac Outlook contacts, emails, calendars and tasks in a proprietary format. Other applications cannot read OLM directly. CSV (Comma Separated Value) is the universal contact format that works with:
- Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets
- Windows Outlook (PST import via CSV)
- Gmail and Google Workspace
- Thunderbird
- Yahoo Mail
- Any CRM or database tool
The most common reason to do this conversion: you are switching from a Mac to a Windows PC and need your Outlook contacts in Windows Outlook or another email client.
Method 1: Export OLM Contacts Manually from Mac Outlook
Mac Outlook 2016 and later has a built-in export option that can save contacts as a tab-delimited text file. This is not exactly CSV, but Excel and other tools can open it.
Step 1. Open Outlook on your Mac. Go to Tools then Export.
Step 2. The Export Wizard opens. Select Outlook for Mac Data File (.OLM) or Contacts to a list (tab-delimited text) depending on your Outlook version.
Step 3. Select Contacts only, then name your file and choose a save location.
One limitation: this manual method exports all contacts in one shot with no filtering. If you want to export contacts from a specific Outlook folder or a specific date range, the dedicated converter is a better option.
Method 2: Convert OLM to CSV with the Turgs OLM Converter
Watch the tutorial first, then follow the written steps.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvUqT9_g-mA]
Download and install the Turgs OLM Converter Wizard on your Windows PC. The free trial converts 25 contacts per OLM file so you can verify the CSV output before purchasing.
Step-by-Step: OLM to CSV Conversion
Step 1. Launch the Turgs OLM Converter on Windows. Click Select Files or Select Folders to load your OLM file.
Step 2. The tool loads your OLM file and displays all folders. Select the Contacts folder. You can also check Use Extracted Mode for Corrupt OLM Files if your OLM file shows errors.
Step 3. From the saving options list, select CSV as the output format.
Step 4. Choose your CSV format preference. The tool shows a preview of the contact fields that will be exported.
Step 5. Set the destination folder where the CSV file will be saved.
Step 6. Click Next to start the conversion. A live progress bar shows how many contacts have been processed.
Step 7. When complete, the tool shows a conversion summary. Your CSV file is ready in the destination folder.
What Contact Fields Are Exported?
The CSV output includes all standard contact fields from Mac Outlook:
- First name, last name, display name
- Email addresses (primary and secondary)
- Phone numbers (mobile, home, work)
- Physical addresses (home and work)
- Company and job title
- Notes field
All fields map correctly so you can import the CSV into Windows Outlook, Gmail or any other contact manager without manual column adjustments.
How to Import the CSV Into Other Applications
Once you have the CSV file, importing is simple:
- Windows Outlook: Go to File then Open then Import then Import from another program or file then Comma Separated Values.
- Gmail: Open Contacts, click Import and upload the CSV file.
- Thunderbird: Go to Tools then Import, select Address Books then Text File and choose your CSV.
- Excel: Open Excel, click File then Open, change the file type filter to All Files and select your CSV.
If you also need to convert the OLM email data (not just contacts), the OLM to Exchange migration guide covers moving the full mailbox. And if you are working with VCard contacts alongside OLM, see the post on converting VCard to PDF for a related workflow.
Are you converting contacts from one OLM file or from several combined Outlook for Mac archives?
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I convert OLM to CSV on a Mac?
The Turgs OLM Converter runs on Windows only. If you only have a Mac, use the built-in export method in Outlook for Mac (Tools then Export) to get a tab-delimited file, which Excel can open and save as CSV.
Does the tool support Outlook for Mac 2019 and 2021?
Yes. The Turgs OLM Converter supports OLM files from all Mac Outlook versions including 2011, 2016, 2019 and 2021.
How many contacts can I convert with the free trial?
The free trial converts 25 contacts per OLM file. This is enough to verify that all contact fields export correctly before you purchase the full version.
Will the CSV file include profile photos from Outlook contacts?
No. CSV is a text-only format. Contact profile photos stored in Mac Outlook cannot be represented in a CSV file. The photos are not included in the export.
Can I convert an OLM file with 5,000 contacts?
Yes. The licensed version has no contact limit. Large OLM files with thousands of contacts process correctly with a live progress counter so you can track the conversion.
What if my OLM file is corrupt?
Enable the Use Extracted Mode for Corrupt OLM Files option when loading the file. This mode attempts to recover contacts even if the OLM container has structural errors.
