How to Export Contacts from Outlook to CSV File? Best Solution

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Published By Jamie Kaler
Rollins Duke
Approved By Rollins Duke
Published On November 20th, 2023
Reading Time 10 Minutes Reading

Export Contacts from Outlook to CSV

Many Outlook users turn to search engines to find out how they can export contacts from Outlook to CSV files. If you are one of them, you need to search no further. In this post, our experts will highlight several solutions to export Outlook contacts to CSV format after extensive research.

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.

Here are the 3 most recommended and tested by our expert 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 Need to Export Contacts from Outlook to CSV Format?

To accommodate users’ varied needs and preferences, transferring Outlook Contacts to CSV (Comma-Separated Values) format may be required for several reasons. The following main ideas clarify why users might need to export contacts from Outlook to CSV format:

  • Consistency with different email clients, CRM platforms, and other applications is ensured by exporting Outlook contacts to CSV.
  • Transfer contacts from Outlook to CSV offers consumers an easy option to move their contact information effortlessly whether they adopt a new CRM system or choose to switch email providers.
  • In the event of unplanned incidents, system breakdowns, or inadvertent data loss, users can routinely export Outlook contacts to CSV files.
  • CSV files are simple to edit with spreadsheet software. This is very beneficial when dealing with enormous datasets.
  • CSV files are a straightforward and widely recognized method of sharing contact information with coworkers, clients, or affiliates.
  • Exporting Outlook contacts to CSV enables users to keep data in a manner that complies with these standards, making it simple to verify compliance when needed.

Best Ways to Export Outlook Contacts to CSV File Formats

In this article, we have described 3 methods to export contacts from Outlook to CSV format. There are 2 methods which are manual and in one method we will use automatic tools. If you want to transfer the complete contacts folder of the Outlook account to CSV, then you can move towards the first solution or if you have some specific contacts list then you can check the second solution. If you have multiple accounts configured in your Outlook email client or you do not have any technical knowledge, you can use the automatic tool that we have mentioned in the third solution. Let us now know the complete process of all three methods.

Method-1: Using the Import/Export Wizard Option

  1. 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.

    click import export option

  2. The Import and Export wizard is launched. Next, pick Export to a file and then press Next.
    export to a file option
  3. Click Next after selecting Comma Separate Values.
    comma separated values
  4. 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 contacts folder
  5. Select the Browse option.
    select the browse button
  6. Give your .csv file whatever name you choose, such as Outlook_contacts, and save it to any folder on your computer.
    enter the file name
  7. Return to the Export to a File box and select the Next button, as seen in Step 5’s screenshot.
    click the next button
  8. 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.
    map custom fields
  9. 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.

    map fields

  10. 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.
    finish button

Method-2: Transfer Outlook Contacts to CSV Use Copy-Paste Method

  1. Click the People symbol in the bottom Menu bar.
  2. To convert to a table display, choose Phone or List in the Change View group on the Home page.
    click the change view settings to Export Contacts from Outlook to CSV
  3. To export more fields than what is shown at this time, select Add Columns under the 3-Dot icon > Arrangement group.
    add columns
  4. 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.
    add column by add button
  5. 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.
    copy contacts
  6. Open Excel or another spreadsheet application, and use the CTRL + V button on your keyboard to paste the contacts.
    paste contacts
  7. 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 will have to approach 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. Let us now know the process of this tool through screenshots.

Learn How to Use this Professional Tool With Screenshots

To be able to export multiple Outlook contacts to CSV files without Outlook, follow the steps.

  1. First, launch and start the software on any operating machine like Windows or MAC.
    launch software
  2. 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.
    configured outlook account
  3. Now, choose the Contacts folder. Then, click the Next button.
    select contact folder
  4. After that, pick the CSV option from the list of the file Saving options.
    choose csv
  5. Thereafter, you can choose the Encoding format such as UTF-8 and UTF-16 as per your need.
    select encoding formats
  6. Then, enter your desired location to export contacts from Outlook to CSV files.
    destination path
  7. After all, click on the Convert button. The conversion process is running.
    export contacts from outlook to csv conversion process

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.

Key Features of Expert-Recommended Tool

The application comes with multiple useful features. Read one by one.

  • Export contacts to CSV from Outlook 2019, Outlook 2016, Outlook 2013, etc.
  • Transfer Outlook PST contacts to CSV files without MS Outlook email client.
  • The utility creates an individual CSV file for each Outlook account contact with precision.
  • Export damaged/corrupted/highly corrupted PST contacts and convert them to CSV.
  • It allows the conversion of contacts from Outlook PST to CSV from a password-protected file.
  • Protect Outlook contact fields like name, address, etc. during conversion.
  • You have the freedom to save the output results anywhere on the machine.
  • Support all available versions of Windows OS and Mac OS, even the latest versions.

FAQs to Export Contacts from Outlook to CSV

Ques. Is it possible to export only specific contacts to CSV?
Ans. Yes, method 2 may be used to export only particular Outlook contacts to CSV.

Ques. What data will be stored in the CSV file?
Ans. The CSV file will normally contain information like your name, email address, phone number, and other contact information from your Outlook contacts.

Ques. Is it possible to export Outlook contacts with custom fields to CSV?
Ans. 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.

Ques. Can I export Outlook contacts to CSV on a Mac?
Ans. 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.

Ques. Will contacts that I export be deleted from my Outlook account?
Ans. 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.

Ques. Is it possible to import contacts into a different email application using the generated CSV file?
Ans. 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 mentioned 3 solutions to export contacts from Outlook to CSV files, out of which you can use any method as per your need. In this article, we have tried to add every point that you may need. If you ask us which of the three methods is the easiest and safest to use to do this conversion. So we answer that you should use Method 3 i.e. Automatic Tool because this tool is 100% safe and also easy to use.

There is no Outlook installation required to use this software. This software is also available in a demo version which you can try before purchasing the software. Once you are satisfied, activate the license key for this conversion process.