How to Export Contacts from Outlook to CSV File?
Summary- Many Outlook users searching for solutions to export contacts from Outlook to CSV files. If you are one of them, you need to search no further. In this post, we are going to discuss how to export Outlook contacts to CSV file format easily and securely.
Contacts are not just a set of numbers but an important part of our daily life. We connect with anyone in the world by just dialing a few digits. CSV is considered a valuable file format for saving information in tabular form. This is why users want to transfer Outlook contacts to CSV format.
Therefore, in this write-up, we will explain the top 03 most recommended solutions to export contacts from Outlook to CSV that you can use very easily. All these solutions are easy, fast, and accurate. We have mentioned complete information about all these methods in the article below. Let’s start the article
Why do Users Want to Export Contacts from Outlook to CSV Format?
There are several reasons available why users wish to export Outlook contacts to CSV format. Below, we’ve highlighted some of the most common reasons for performing this task:
- CSV is a widely supported file format that can be easily imported into various email clients, such as Gmail, Yahoo, or Thunderbird, allowing users to transfer their contacts seamlessly.
- Exporting contacts to CSV provides a secure backup of contact information, which can be useful in case of data loss or corruption in Outlook.
- In scenarios where multiple users’ contacts need to be migrated from one email platform to another, for example: from Exchange Server to Microsoft 365, exporting contacts to CSV enables the process.
- CSV format can be used to import contacts into spreadsheet apps like Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, or LibreOffice Calc, enabling users to manage and analyze their contact data.
- Exporting a single contact to CSV can serve as a template for creating a new CSV file, making it easier to import contacts into Outlook.com or Outlook on the web.
How to Export Outlook Contacts to CSV File Formats?
In this article, we explain three methods to convert contacts from Outlook to CSV format. Two methods are manual, while one uses an automated tool. For exporting the entire contacts folder, refer to the first method. If you need to export only specific contacts, check the second method. If you have multiple Outlook accounts or zero technical expertise, the automated tool in the third method is recommended. Let’s explore the complete process for each approach.
Method-1: Using the Import/Export Wizard Option
- Do one of the following, depending on your Outlook version:
- Go to File > Open & Export > Import/Export in Outlook 2013 and later.
- Choose File > Options > Advanced > Export in Outlook 2010.
- In the dialog box, select Export to a File and click Next.
- Click Next after selecting Comma Separate Values.
- Click Next after choosing the Contacts folder under the destination account. You may need to scroll up or down to locate the required account if you have several accounts.
- Select the Browse option.
- Give your .csv file whatever name you choose, such as Outlook_contacts, and save it to any folder on your computer.
- Return to the Export to a File box and select the Next button, as seen in Step 5’s screenshot.
- Click Finish to begin the contacts export process right now. Please be advised that this will transfer 92 fields of unnecessary information. Consequently, there will be a lot of blank cells and columns in your .csv file.
Click Map Custom Fields and proceed with the following steps if you want to select the data to export yourself.
- Perform the following actions in the Map Custom Fields window:
- To get rid of the default map, use the Clear Map option.
- Locate the details you wish to export in the left pane, then drag each one to the right pane individually.
- You may drag the elements directly up and down on the right pane to reorganize the exported fields (columns in your future CSV file).
- Drag a field that was inserted by error back to the left pane to delete it.
- Once finished, press OK.
- Click Finish when you’re back in the Export to a File window. The exporting procedure will be indicated by the progress box. The procedure is finished when the box disappears.
Method-2: Using the Copy-Paste Method
- Click the People symbol in the bottom Menu bar.
- To convert to a table display, choose Phone or List in the Change View group on the Home page.
- To export more fields than what is shown at this time, select Add Columns under the 3-Dot icon > Arrangement group.
- Choose the required field in the left pane of the Show Columns dialogue box, then click the Add button to add it to the right pane.
- Follow these steps to copy the contact information that is displayed:
To pick every contact, use CTRL + A, and to copy the chosen contacts to the clipboard, use CTRL + C.
- Open Excel or another spreadsheet application, and use the CTRL + V button on your keyboard to paste the contacts.
- Save your Excel workbook as a .csv file if you want to import your contacts to any email service in the future.
Method-3: Use Automatic Tool to Export Contacts from Outlook to CSV File
So far we have learned 2 manual methods to export contacts from Outlook to CSV format. If you are thinking of using the manual solution, then let us tell you that it has some limitations due to which your data loss and a lot of time can be wasted. If you do not want to fall into all these problems then you can use the automatic solution.
To do this conversion, one of the best tools which is recommended by experts in the online market is Turgs PST Converter Tool. With the help of this tool, you can transfer contacts from multiple Outlook accounts in CSV format at once. This tool is also very easy to use and even a user from a non-technical background can complete this task very easily.
How to Export Contacts from Outlook to CSV File Quickly?
To be able to export multiple Outlook contacts to CSV files without Outlook, follow the steps.
- First, launch and start the software on any operating machine like Windows or MAC.
- The software will automatically detect your Outlook account from your system, which you can see on the software panel, and then press the Next button.
- Now, choose the Contacts folder. Then, click the Next button.
- After that, pick the CSV option from the list of the file Saving options.
- Thereafter, you can choose the Encoding format such as UTF-8 and UTF-16 as per your need.
- Then, enter your desired location to export contacts from Outlook to CSV files.
- After all, click on the Convert button. The conversion process is running.
You can also analyze the process and see the number of contacts converted. Also, the program provides a complete conversion message after the conversion is completed.
FAQs
Q1. Is it possible to export only specific contacts to CSV?
Answer: Yes, method 2 may be used to export only particular Outlook contacts to CSV.
Q2. What data will be stored in the CSV file?
Answer: The CSV file will normally contain information like your name, email address, phone number, and other contact information from your Outlook contacts.
Q3. Is it possible to export Outlook contacts with custom fields to CSV?
Answer: Yes, when exporting contacts to CSV from Outlook, you may insert custom fields. Ensure that you appropriately map the custom fields throughout the export process; method 1 can be used for this.
Q4. Can I export Outlook contacts to CSV on a Mac?
Answer: Yes, the export process is the same on both the Windows and Mac versions of Outlook. Follow the same instructions as for Windows. If you face any kind of problem then you can also use automatic software. This software is also available for Mac systems.
Q5. Will contacts that I export be deleted from my Outlook account?
Answer: No, when you export contacts, a copy of the contacts is stored in a CSV file. They remain on your Outlook account after this. Once exported, your contacts will still be in Outlook.
Q6. Is it possible to import contacts into a different email application using the generated CSV file?
Answer: Indeed, a lot of platforms support the CSV file format. It may be used to import contacts into a variety of email clients and services that allow the import of CSV files. Verify the destination email platform’s particular import settings.
Conclusion
In this article, we have discussed three methods to export contacts from Outlook to CSV files, allowing you to choose the one that best fits your needs. We’ve aimed to cover all the essential details to guide you through the process. If you’re wondering which method is the easiest and safest, we recommend Method 3, the Automatic Solution. It’s not only 100% secure but also the simplest solution for this conversion.
You don’t need to install Outlook to use this software. A demo version is available for you to try before purchasing. Once you’re satisfied, you can activate the license key and start the conversion process right away. You’re just a step away from completing your task efficiently!