How to Export Microsoft 365 To Do Tasks? A Step-by-Step Tutorial

Historically, Microsoft Office users used to go to Outlook on the Web and access the “Privacy and Data” option in the “Settings” to “Export mailbox”. But as of 2026, Microsoft has largely blocked this direct export button for Office 365 Business and Education accounts, leaving this feature accessible only for a personal @outlook.com account.

However, since Office 365 To Do tasks are actually stored and synced through Outlook Tasks, you can export them using Classic Outlook desktop software on Windows and Mac. So, if you’re seeking a precise answer for “How do I export my Microsoft To Do list to Excel?” or  “How do I back up my Microsoft To Do tasks?” for the following reasons:

• Migrating to a new task management system
• Auditing projects
• Or, backing up data just in case

Explore this step-by-step tutorial to export Microsoft To Do Tasks on Windows and Mac and learn how to back up Office 365 To Do Tasks.

How to Export Microsoft To Do Tasks on Windows? 4 Simple Steps

To successfully export M365 To Do tasks on Windows, use the classic Outlook desktop client. It converts your tasks into a versatile, readable format like a spreadsheet (CSV). Once it is exported to a .csv file, it can be easily read in Excel or Google Sheets, or imported into another task manager.

To export Microsoft To Do tasks, it utilizes the Microsoft Exchange backend because the Microsoft To Do application doesn’t have a dedicated, isolated database. In simple words, every task you create will instantly sync to the “Task” module inside Outlook.

Also, if you’re struggling with duplicate To Do tasks, it is strongly advised to de-duplicate them to ensure only the original To Do gets exported. For instant & secure results, you can use a corporate-grade Outlook duplicate remover tool.

Check Out: How to Remove Duplicate Tasks in Outlook – Complete Guide

Step #1: Launch Outlook Classic and Access Import & Export Wizard

• Open Outlook (Classic) on the PC.
  (Ensure you’re using the same Microsoft 365 account that you used to log in to the Microsoft To Do app).

• In the top-left ribbon, right-click File and go to Open & Export (in the left sidebar).
• Click the Import/Export button.

Step #2: Choose the Export Action and File Format

• Choose Export to a file (in the Import and Export wizard) and click Next.
• Select Comma Separated Values (CSV) >> right-click Next. The .csv format allows you to view, edit, or import Microsoft To Do tasks in Excel and other third-party apps like Notion, Asana, or Google Sheets.

Note: For a complete, encrypted backup of entire Office 365 To Do tasks, choose Outlook Data File (.pst).

Step #3: Locate the Tasks Folder and Define the File Destination

• Scroll through the folder hierarchy.
• Select the Tasks Folder (clipboard and checkmark icon) under the email account linked to the To Do app >> Click Next.
• Right-click Browse >> choose a destination folder to save the file.
• Name the file (“Microsoft_ToDo_Export”) and click Next.

Step #4: Map Custom fields and Export Microsoft 365 To Do Tasks

• Optional Step: Right-click the Map Custom fields button >> Clear Map >> drag only required fields to the right box (Subject, Start Date, Due Date, Body, Complete >> Hit Ok
• Lastly, click Finish. It will display a progress bar, and depending on the number of tasks, it will take time (usually anywhere from a few seconds to a minute).

Keep in Mind: Exporting a CSV using Outlook doesn’t include Microsoft To Do specific features such as “My Day” status, specific sub-steps, or customized background themes.

How to Export Microsoft 365 To Do Tasks on Mac? 3 Easy Steps

Exporting Microsoft 365 To Do tasks on a Mac requires Legacy Outlook, as the “New Outlook for Mac” often blocks local file exports. Also, Outlook for Mac cannot natively export To Do tasks to a CSV file. It exports the tasks as an .olm (Outlook for Mac Archive) file.

So, before you begin exporting, ensure you’re using Legacy Outlook. And if you are on the New Outlook, go to the top menu bar >> click Outlook >> uncheck New Outlook or click “Revert to Legacy Outlook”. It will restart in the classic view.

Also, use the same Microsoft Exchange account (Office 365, Outlook.com, or Live) that hosts Microsoft To Do tasks.

Step #1: Launch Outlook for Mac and Trigger the Export Menu

• Open Legacy Outlook on Mac and go to the macOS menu bar (at the top of the screen).
• Click File or Tools (depending on the version) >> scroll down and select Export.

Step #2: Choose Tasks to Export

• In the Export to Archive Email (.olm) dialog box, check the Tasks box and uncheck other items.
  Click Continue.

Step #3: Name and Save the File

• Choose a file save location >> name the file “My_ToDo_Tasks” and click Save.
• Lastly, Outlook will show a progress bar. Once it completes, click Finish.

Since an .olm file is primarily designed to be imported back into another Mac running Outlook, it cannot be opened by Excel, Google Sheets, or Apple Numbers. Also, it cannot be directly imported into third-party task managers such as Asana or Todoist.

However, you can still bypass this limitation and view your O365 To Do tasks in a spreadsheet (CSV) on a Mac by executing the following workarounds:

#1: Microsoft Power Automate: It is a cloud-based workflow service that you can use on the web to create a flow that automatically records every new Microsoft To Do task into an Excel Online spreadsheet. It is an OS-independent workaround that bypasses the need for legacy Outlook by using the cloud. Although it only logs active tasks and skips past MS 365 To Do tasks. With MS Power Automate, you can ensure all future tasks are automatically logged in a spreadsheet.

#2: Via Windows Virtual Machine or PC: Using a Windows Virtual Machine or PC is another effective workaround to export Microsoft To Do Tasks in CSV format. Simply, on a Windows PC or virtual machine, log into the Windows version of Outlook using your Microsoft Account. Allow the To Do tasks to sync from the cloud and access the Windows Import/Export wizard to generate a CSV file.

Troubleshooting Common M365 To Do Tasks Export Issues

Experiencing issues after exporting Microsoft 365 To Do tasks? Check out the common issues users encounter when exporting Microsoft To Do tasks and how to fix them!

Error #1: CSV is Blank or Empty

CSV is Blank or Empty happens when the top-level account folder is chosen instead of the specific “Tasks” folder while locating the Tasks folder for exporting. To fix this, run the Import and Export wizard again and ensure the Tasks folder is selected.

Error #2: Notes or Sub-Steps are Missing

Microsoft To-Do sub-steps, also known as Steps in the app, are frequently bundled into the core “Body” or “Notes” field of the task. You will not find them in the standard Outlook Task fields. Hence, you are required to include the “Body” field when mapping custom fields.

Error #3: The Task Folder is Missing

The Task Folder disappears when the Outlook profile is configured as an IMAP or POP account instead of an Exchange account. And since Microsoft To Do syncing requires an Exchange connection, you must re-add your Microsoft account to Outlook via automatic Exchange setup.

Conclusion

Exporting Microsoft 365 To Do tasks and backing up offline requires access to the Classic Outlook desktop app. This is because Microsoft To Do tasks are technically Outlook Tasks since they are saved and synced via Outlook Tasks.

So whether you’re switching to a new task management system or backing up To Do data to protect it against loss, hardware failure, or disaster, practice the steps given in this helpful guide. It will assist you in exporting Office 365 To Do tasks successfully in no time. And if you also want to know how to share a To-Do list outside your organization or from your personal account to a business account, you must check out: Share Microsoft To-Do List Outside Organization like a Pro: 100% Working!

And, if you’re feeling puzzled about it or have any queries about Microsoft 365, feel free to ask @[email protected].

Helpful Reads:

• How to Link Microsoft To Do Tasks with Google Calendar?
• Top 3 Ways to Recover Deleted To Do List in Outlook PST File

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q.1 How do I back up my Microsoft To Do tasks?
To back up Microsoft To Do Tasks, use Classic Outlook on Windows and Legacy Outlook on Mac. You can also use a third-party backup tool to save To Do tasks data.

Q.2 How do I export my Microsoft To Do list to Excel?
Follow the instructions given below to export the Microsoft To Do list to Excel:

• Open Outlook (Classic) >> click File (in the top-left ribbon).
• Go to Open & Export (in the left sidebar) >> Import/Export button.
• Choose Export to a file (in the Import and Export wizard) >> Next.
• Select Comma Separated Values (CSV) >> right-click Next.
• Scroll through the folder hierarchy. Select the Tasks Folder (clipboard and checkmark icon) under the specific email account >> Click Next.
• Click Browse >> choose a destination folder to save the file.
• Name the file “Microsoft_ToDo_Export” and click Next.
• Lastly, click Finish >> locate the .csv file and open it directly in Microsoft Excel.

Q.3 Can I recover a deleted Microsoft To Do list?
To recover a deleted Microsoft To Do list, apply the given steps:

• Open the Outlook Desktop app.
• Log in using the same account that is linked to the To Do app.
• Go to the Deleted Items or Trash Folder.
• Find the deleted list >> right-click the folder.
• Select Move >> Other Folder >> Tasks

Q.4 How to transfer Microsoft To Do lists to another user?

Apply the following steps to transfer Microsoft To Do lists to another user:

• Open the Outlook desktop app
• Go to File >> Info >> Add account to add both Microsoft accounts.
• Move to the Tasks/To-Do Folder.
• Drag and drop the tasks from the old account into the new account task list.

Q.5 How to save a Microsoft To Do list as a PDF?
Here’s how you can save a Microsoft To Do List as a PDF in a few minutes:

• Open the Microsoft To Do Web App or desktop App.
• Select the target To Do list >> click the three-dot icon (in the top-right corner).
• Click Print list >> change the destination printer to Save as PDF (in the print preview window.
• Hit Save and choose a destination to save the PDF.