Convert PST to CSV With or Without Outlook in Simple Steps
Are you searching solution to convert PST to CSV format? If yes then, you are landed on the right page. Here we are going to discuss the most effective solution to how to convert Outlook mailbox including emails, contacts, calendars, task, journals, etc. from PST to CSV without Outlook installation?
Microsoft Outlook is the preferred email application for personal and professional use. It stores the entire data in the Outlook data file format, i.e., PST. If you have a PST file of any configured profile, then you can easily access all entire data from it. In this post, you will get to know the easiest way to convert PST file to CSV format.
Before starting the techniques to export Outlook PST to CSV, let’s take a quick look at the real-life scenario faced by the user.
“Hey, I am a class representative of my class and the HOD of my department sent me an Outlook PST file that contains contacts of my whole class students. My HOD said to me that I have to make an excel sheet of all student contacts lists. But the thing is that I do not use Microsoft Outlook and it is not installed in my system. Also, I do not know how to convert all the PST contacts files into CSV without Outlook. So, anyone who knows the effective and easy solution then please help me”
The above query shows that there are lots of users who want to export Outlook PST to CSV file format, and they are not using Outlook. So, to understand the whole scenario, let’s take a look at what PST and CSV files.
PST stands for Personal Storage Table, and it is a file format that is used to store email, contacts, calendar, tasks, events, and journals of Microsoft Outlook.
CSV stands for Comma-Separated Value. It stores all its data in tabular form. The CSV file is supported by various services like Google Contacts and Outlook applications. The most use of CSV files is in Excel Sheets and Google Sheets.
Also Read: How to Export Outlook Emails from PST to TXT Format?
Possible Reasons to Convert PST to CSV Format
Exporting data from PST to CSV format facilitates multiple aspects. Some of them are listed below. Let’s have a look:
- Data Analysis: PST is a mail format, and CSV is a document format. Exporting PST to CSV allows for managing and analyzing email data in a document.
- Platform Dependency: PST file is a primary email file for Microsoft Outlook. So, it is not accessible without Outlook. The same CSV file can be accessed without any additional application.
- Bulk Editing and Management: CSV file offers advanced multiple options for bulk editing and managing data in rows/columns. Having data in a CSV file is always an advantage for editing.
- Data Migration: Converting a PST file to CSV format enables easy and platform-independent data migration.
- Sharing and Legal Compliance: A Straightforward way of data management in a CSV file. Always has an advantage in sharing with different users and also for legal compliance.
Difference Between PST and CSV File Format
Let us understand the technical differences between PST and CSV file formats:
| Features | PST File | CSV File |
| File Extension | .pst | .csv |
| Full Form | Personal Storage Table | Comma-Separated Values |
| Usage | Outlook data file format used to store email messages, contacts, calendars, tasks, journals, etc. | Used to store plain text data in tabular form, like spreadsheets. |
| How to Open | Microsoft Outlook or PST viewer software required. | Text editors and spreadsheet software can open it. |
| Size Limitation | File size depends on the Microsoft Outlook version. | No size limitation, large size can degrade performance. |
| Attachment Handling | Attachments are embedded with email messages. | Attachments are not managed; they usually store only letters, numbers, and special characters. |
| Readability | Complex in structure, it requires a programmatic environment to access. | Simple plain text and tabular arrangement make readability easy. |
Methods to Convert PST Files to CSV Format
There are two different methods to export complete data from an Outlook PST file to CSV format:
- Convert PST to CSV Format without Outlook
- Export PST Files to CSV Format Using Outlook
Both methods have their own pros and cons; choose which best suits your case.
Method-1: Export PST to CSV without Outlook
In order to convert PST to CSV without Outlook, there is no manual method. This task can be accomplished by using the SysTools PST to CSV converter. It allows you to convert an Outlook PST file to CSV with all mailbox items. The software is able to export multiple PST files to CSV file format at one go.
PST to CSV converter software is available for both Windows and Mac operating systems. Download the software according to your OS and easily export emails, contacts, calendars, tasks, and journals from PST to CSV format.
Steps to Convert PST to CSV Without Outlook
Below steps listed below are for Windows OS users. Steps may differ for Mac OS users.
Step-1. Launch the PST to CSV converter on your Windows system and click on Add File.
Step-2. Select PST files having contacts and click the Add button
Step-3. Preview PST file items in the software panel and click on the Export button.
Step-4. Select the CSV radio button from the saving options list.
Step-5. Browse the destination path to save the output and apply the required filters. After that, click on the Export button.
Step-6: After a successful conversion, the software will notify you with a message. Navigate to the provided location and view complete data in CSV format. The software will create a separate folder for each category.
Step-7: Open the respective folder and view the complete data from the PST file in the CSV file.
Also Read: How to Export Contacts from PST to VCF Format?
Why SysTools Software?
This PST to CSV converter tool is the most searched tool on the internet to convert a complete mailbox from PST to CSV without Outlook in one go. It is one of the most trusted solutions that ensures no data integrity loss during the conversion process of exporting Outlook contacts to CSV.
The tool comes with advanced features; some of the features are mentioned below:
- Batch Conversion: This software has the ability to export PST to CSV in bulk without any data loss. As well as it also maintains the data integrity of the file.
- Advance Scan: The tool offers the Scan option that allows you to scan a PST file and remove corruption from it. After, save it into the CSV file format.
- Preview Contacts with all Attributes: Once you have added the PST file, the tool performs a quick scan of these files and generates an instant preview. Moreover, you can able to preview with all its details.
- Maintains Folder Hierarchy: The software preserves the folder structure of the PST contacts even after the conversion. It offers a 100% accurate solution within a minute.
Method-2: Convert PST to CSV using Outlook
This is the manual method to convert PST to CSV, and it only works when you have Outlook installed in your system. Moreover, the steps of the method are listed below:
Step-1. First, open Microsoft Outlook on your system. After a successful importing process. Click on the File menu option. Now, click on Open & Import >> Import/Export option
Step-2. After that, select Export to a file from the list.
Step-3. Select the Comma-Separated Value option.
Step-4. Select the PST contacts file that you want to export into CSV. Here you can select only one folder at a time. Repeat all the above steps for different folders.
Step-5. Now, select the Destination location to save the resultant file on your system locally.
Step-6. After all settings, click on the Finish button to start the Outlook PST to CSV conversion process.
Author Suggestion
There are many queries regarding how to convert PST to CSV without Outlook. So if you are searching for the same, then go through the article. Here we have discussed the most affordable and effective way to convert PST to CSV files without data loss. You can download the trial version to test the working features.
