How to Export Contacts from Outlook to CSV File?
You can export Outlook contacts to CSV using the built-in Import/Export Wizard, the copy-paste method, or Turgs PST Converter Wizard for automated batch exports. This guide covers all three methods on Windows so you can pick the one that fits your situation.
Exporting Outlook contacts to CSV is one of the most common tasks when migrating to a new email platform, backing up your address book, or importing contacts into a CRM. CSV is a universal format that works with Excel, Google Contacts, Salesforce and virtually every other app.
There are three ways to do it. The right choice depends on how many contacts you have and whether you need to do this regularly or just once.
Why Export Outlook Contacts to CSV?
CSV files are plain text with comma-separated values. Every contact manager and CRM platform accepts them. Here are the most common use cases:
- Migrating from Outlook to Gmail, Office 365, or another email platform
- Importing contacts into a CRM like Salesforce, HubSpot or Zoho
- Creating a backup of your address book before switching computers
- Sharing contact lists with team members who don’t use Outlook
- Cleaning up and deduplicating contact data in Excel
CSV is the most portable format for contact data. Unlike vCard (.vcf) which stores one contact per file, a CSV file holds all your contacts in a single spreadsheet-like structure that’s easy to filter, sort and edit in bulk.
Method 1: Use the Import/Export Wizard
This is the built-in Outlook method. It works on Outlook for Windows (all versions from 2010 to 2021 and Microsoft 365). Here are the steps:
Step 1: Open the Import/Export Wizard
In Outlook, click File. Then click Open and Export, then click Import/Export.
Step 2: Choose Export to a File
In the Import and Export Wizard window, select Export to a file and click Next.
Step 3: Select Comma Separated Values
Choose Comma Separated Values as the file type and click Next.
Step 4: Select the Contacts Folder
In the folder tree, select the Contacts folder from your mailbox and click Next.
Step 5: Choose a Save Location
Click Browse to choose where to save the CSV file. Give it a descriptive name like “outlook-contacts-2026.csv” and click OK.
Step 6: Click Next and Finish
Click Next to proceed to the final screen, then click Finish. Outlook creates the CSV file at the location you specified.
Optional: Map Custom Fields
Before clicking Finish, you can click Map Custom Fields to choose which contact fields to include in the CSV. This lets you add or remove specific columns like phone number, company name or birthday.
The Import/Export Wizard works well for a one-time export. For recurring exports or exports from PST files without a connected account, see Method 3 below.
Method 2: Copy-Paste to Spreadsheet
This method works when you have a small number of contacts and want to select specific ones rather than exporting everything. It’s slower but gives you precise control.
Step 1: Change the Contacts View
In Outlook, go to your Contacts folder. Click View, then Change View, then List or Phone. This shows your contacts in a table view with all fields visible.
Step 2: Add the Columns You Need
Right-click on any column header and choose Add Columns to include the fields you want in your CSV. Common fields include name, email, phone, company and address.
Step 3: Select and Copy Contacts
Select all contacts (Ctrl+A) or specific ones (Ctrl+Click). Then copy them (Ctrl+C).
Step 4: Paste into Excel
Open Excel and paste (Ctrl+V). The contacts appear in columns. Add column headers in row 1 and save the file as a CSV by clicking File then Save As and choosing CSV (Comma delimited) as the format.
This method works for 20 to 50 contacts but becomes tedious for larger contact lists. For large exports, use Method 1 or Method 3.
Method 3: Use PST Converter Wizard (Automated)
For automated, scheduled, or large-scale contact exports, Turgs PST Converter Wizard is the most reliable option. It reads PST files, OST files or connected Outlook accounts and exports contacts directly to CSV without going through the manual wizard steps.
Step 1: Open PST Converter Wizard
Step 2: Connect to Your Outlook Account or PST File
Step 3: Select the Contacts Folder
Step 4: Choose CSV as the Output Format
Step 5: Configure Encoding and Destination
Choose your CSV encoding (UTF-8 recommended for international characters) and set the output folder.
Step 6: Convert
Click Convert. The tool exports all contacts from the selected folders to CSV files. A progress indicator shows the conversion status.
The PST Converter Wizard approach is especially useful when working from a PST file where Outlook isn’t connected to an active account, or when you need to run the export as part of a migration workflow.
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Limitations to Know
Limitations
- The Import/Export Wizard only exports from a connected, configured Outlook account. It does not work with disconnected PST files.
- The copy-paste method is practical only for small contact lists of 50 contacts or fewer.
- Some contact fields like contact photos and custom categories may not export to CSV in any method.
- The PST Converter Wizard free trial has a processing limit. The full version removes this restriction.
- CSV files from different systems use different field names (column headers) which may require remapping when importing to a new platform.
- Distribution lists and contact groups in Outlook do not export as a group to CSV. Individual contact records export separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I export Outlook contacts from a PST file without Outlook installed?
Yes, using Turgs PST Converter Wizard. It reads PST files directly without Outlook being installed. This is useful when you need to export contacts from a PST file on a machine where Outlook is not configured or installed.
What fields are included in the exported CSV file?
The default CSV export from Outlook includes fields like First Name, Last Name, Email Address, Company, Business Phone, Home Phone, Business Address and more. You can use the Map Custom Fields option in the Import/Export Wizard to add or remove specific fields from the export.
Can I export contacts from multiple Outlook profiles to one CSV?
The built-in Import/Export Wizard exports from one profile at a time. To combine contacts from multiple profiles into one CSV, export each profile separately and then merge the CSV files in Excel using copy-paste or a VLOOKUP-based deduplication approach.
Will the exported CSV work with Google Contacts?
Yes, but you may need to remap some column headers. Google Contacts uses different field names than Outlook. After exporting, open the CSV in Excel and rename key columns to match Google’s expected format (for example, rename “E-mail Address” to “E-mail 1 – Value”) before importing to Google Contacts.
How do I export contacts from Outlook.com to CSV?
On Outlook.com, go to People (Contacts), click the Settings gear icon, then Export Contacts. This exports all contacts as a CSV file you can download directly from your browser. No third-party tool is needed for Outlook.com contacts.
What is the best method for exporting contacts before a company migration?
For a company-wide migration, Turgs PST Converter Wizard is the most reliable approach. It handles batch exports from multiple PST files, processes them consistently, and outputs clean CSV files ready for import into any target platform. The built-in wizard works well for individual users but requires manual steps for each account.
