How to Export Outlook Contacts to CSV? Experts Explain
Looking to export Outlook contacts to CSV file format? Look no further! In this article, we will cover the top solutions you can opt for to export contact group from Outlook to CSV file format in a smooth and hassle-free manner. We will discuss how you can approach the task manually or using an automated solution on both Windows Outlook and Mac Outlook. So, let’s dive right in.
MS Outlook, as we are aware, is one of the most popular email services across the globe. It provides world-class filters and enhanced security features that set it apart from the rest of the email clients available in the market. However, it is always an excellent choice to locally backup your crucial data, for instance, address book contacts.
On the other hand, the CSV Comma Separated Values is the most well-known file format used to store important information. It is the preferred format in many scientific and commercial processes. Moreover, CSV file is supported with almost all existing applications. Hence, with these advanced and easy to edit CSV file options, users need to export contacts from Outlook to CSV file.
Therefore, we have drafted this technical write-up to put an end to your hassle. In this article, we will explore different solutions you can opt for in order to export Outlook address book to CSV or any other popular format of your liking.
How Exporting Contacts from Outlook to CSV is Beneficial?
There are several reasons that emphasize the importance of moving your Outlook address book to the CSV format. Here, we have mentioned the most commonly known reasons.
- The CSV format helps in efficiently managing your Outlook contacts within MS Excel or any other spreadsheet program.
- Exporting your Outlook address book to CSV makes it significantly easier to import your contacts to another email service.
- Backing up your sensitive contact data in CSV file format helps avoid atrocities like data corruption or data loss.
- By exporting Outlook contact group to CSV, you can ensure consistency between different email clients, CRM platforms, and other applications.
- Moving Contacts from Outlook to CSV gives consumers an easy option to move their contact information, whether they are implementing a new CRM system or deciding to change email providers.
- Users can periodically convert outlook contact to files in case of unexpected events, system crashes, or unexpected data loss.
- CSV files are a simple and widespread way to share contact information with colleagues, clients or affiliated companies.
- Exporting Outlook contacts group to CSV allows users to save data according to these standards, making it easy to check compliance if necessary.
As you see, converting your Outlook contacts to CSV file format is useful in numerous ways. Now, let us move further and see the expert-suggested solutions to accomplish the conversion.
How to Manually Export Outlook Contacts to CSV File?
Though there are multiple methods available, we have described the easiest methods here:
1) Use the Outlook’s Import/Export Option
Essentially, the Import/Export function allows users to import or export PST files, contacts, calendars, and other data.
- In MS Outlook, click on the “File” option in the top left corner.
- Choose “Open & Export” >> “Import/Export” from the File menu.
- Select the “Export to a File” action and then, select the “Comma Separated Values” format option.
- Now, from the folder tree, select the “contacts” folder to export.
- Next, click on “Browse” to set the destination location for the resultant file, name the file and click “OK”.
- Lastly, click on “Finish” to start exporting your contacts data immediately.
- Locate the exported file on your computer and access it with MS Excel. If needed, edit and make changes to the file before importing it to another email application.
2) Export Contacts from Outlook to CSV Using the Web Version of Outlook
In fact, Outlook Web App stores all data in the cloud. That’s why it doesn’t support import/export features like the Outlook desktop client.
To export contacts group from Outlook Web, follow these steps:
- First of all, sign into your Outlook Web App.
- In the lower left corner of the window, click the People icon.
- Then, in the top right corner of the window, click “Manage” and select “Export Contacts” from the drop-down menu.
- Then, in the Contacts in this folder field, Choose “All Contacts.” (You can select any specific folder if necessary.)
- Then click the Export button.
This method will save your contacts folder to your device in CSV format. You can access it via Excel.
3) Export Outlook Address Book to CSV Using Copy and Paste Method
If you want to export a specific contacts folder or just want to copy one or more contacts, then this method is for you.
- Open Outlook. In the navigation or location bar, press the People icon.
- In the current view group, click Phone or List to view your contacts in a table.
- After that, in the left pane of the Show Columns window, select the required fields and click Add to include them in the right pane. After selecting all required fields, click OK.
- Now you can press Ctrl+A to copy all contacts at once. Otherwise, press Ctrl+C to copy the contacts individually.
- Once you have copied them, paste them into an Excel spreadsheet and arrange them as you wish.
So, you can export contacts from Outlook to CSV manually. but this solution will take a lot of time.
Limitations of the Manual Approach
- This manual approach heavily depends on the MS Outlook email client, i.e., one needs to have the respective email client to execute this solution.
- The solution is manual and requires maximum user interaction, this makes it prone to user errors which could lead to atrocities like data loss.
These limitations strain the manual approach and restrict it from becoming an appealing choice of solution for users.
Expert Solution on Exporting Outlook for Windows Address Book to CSV File
Efficiently export your Microsoft Outlook address book items with the expert-favorite SysTools vCard Export Tool. This utility is undoubtedly the best one available in the market. It provides some of the best-class features that set it apart from the other solutions. The software provides a high-reliability factor that makes it an expert favorite.
Important Note:
If you wish to export your Outlook contacts along with other items of the Outlook data file, opt for the expert-favorite SysTools PST Converter. The utility is proficient in converting and exporting Outlook data items into popular file and document formats. Moreover, to use this tool, you only need to have the Outlook data files i.e., this software is free from MS Outlook dependency. Using this expert suggested utility, you can successfully convert PST contacts to CSV without Outlook.
Steps to Export Contact Group from Outlook to CSV Without Outlook
- Download and launch the expert utility on your computer.
- Select the radio button for the “Auto-Detect Folder Storage Location” to add Outlook Data File/s into the software.
- Preview your uploaded data in the Software’s user interface and click the “Export” button.
- Now, choose the “CSV” format from the provided option to export your Outlook contacts.
- Apply preferred advanced settings accordingly. Click “Browse” to set the preferred destination for the resultant files.
- Enable the “Maintain Folder Hierarchy” option and lastly, click on the “Export” button.
And that is all, upon completing all the steps mentioned above, your Outlook contacts will be efficiently exported into CSV file format.
How to Export Contacts to CSV on Outlook for Mac?
For Mac Outlook users, technical professionals swear by the SysTools OLM Converter Software. This impeccable utility is a personal favorite of numerous technical professionals. Not only does it execute the entire task efficiently but also maintains the utmost data security throughout the entire export process. The tool is also fully compatible with all Windows OS versions, whether it’s the latest Windows 11 or any other prior version.
Guide to Export Mac Outlook Address Book to CSV Format
- Launch and start the expert software on your device.
- Click on “Add File” or “Add Folder” and add your Mac Outlook Data File/Folder accordingly. Click “Next”.
- Choose the “Export Selected Folders” option and select the “Contacts” folder once the tool completes scanning all your uploaded data.
- In the “Select Export Type” menu, select the “CSV” format from the provided options.
- Use the provided Advanced Settings: “Category Filter” and “Date Range Filter” for selective export.
- Click the “Change” button to set the preferred destination to store the resultant CSV files on your system.
- Upon completing all the above steps, click the “Export” button to initiate the process.
And you are done with successfully exporting your Mac Outlook contacts to CSV file format. As you see, all the steps are extremely easy and quick to execute, thus, also can be executed by a novice user.
So There You Have It
In this article, we explained how you can export Outlook contacts to CSV format. We shared a manual solution and the top expert-suggested automated solutions that you can opt for to export contact group from Outlook to CSV smoothly and hassle-free. Whether you have a Windows or Mac OS system, this article contains the best expert-recommended solutions for both Operating Systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How to export Outlook contacts file to CSV on Mac?
Since the Outlook desktop client on Mac can only export files in OLM format, you can only export contacts to CSV format through Outlook.com.
- Go to the Your Outlook and Choose the People icon
- After that, click on Manage and select Export Contacts.
- Export your contacts to CSV format.
Q: Can I convert Outlook contacts with custom fields to CSV?
Yes, you can insert custom fields when exporting contacts to CSV from Outlook. Ensure that custom fields are mapped correctly throughout the export process; Method 1 can be used for this purpose.
Q: Will exported contacts be removed from my Outlook account?
No, when converting contacts, a copy of the contacts will be saved in a CSV file. They then remain in your Outlook account. After exporting, your contacts will remain in Outlook.