How to Export Outlook Contacts to CSV in Minutes?
If you need to back up your Outlook contacts or move them to another email service, converting them to CSV format is the best solution. A CSV file stores your contact information in a spreadsheet format that is compatible with most contact management apps. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the various techniques to export Outlook Contacts to CSV format with ease.
If you need to explore advanced features for other work purposes, such as transferring contacts from Outlook to other email clients like Windows Address Book, click here to learn how to export Outlook contacts to WAB file in a hassle-free way. So, let’s begin with the discussion.
Why Need to Export Outlook Address Book to CSV Format?
- Exporting contact files to CSV format allows you to securely backup your MS Outlook contacts. If your contact files are accidentally lost or corrupted, you can smoothly restore your contact list.
- CSV files are generally supported across platforms, making it easy to transfer contacts to other email services and systems that do not integrate directly with Outlook.
- These files are easy to share. You can send your contact list to colleagues and collaborators who may need access to the data and import it into their own email systems.
- CSV can be opened in spreadsheet programs like Excel and Google Sheets, allowing you to quickly edit, organize, and update contact information at the same time.
Knowing this reason, let’s start looking for solutions. First, we will explain the manual method and then move on to the automatic solution. So, let’s get started.
How to Export Outlook Contacts to CSV? 2 Quick Ways
If you are wondering how to move contacts from Outlook address book to CSV format, the process is quite simple and helps you to create a file that can be imported into various email clients and cloud platforms. So, in this section, we’ll discoverboth manual and advanced solutions to make process effortless. Now, let’s move down to discuss methods in detail.
Method 1: Export Outlook Address Book to CSV Format – Manual Method
Using manual techniques to move contacts to CSV format is a quick way for those users who need a free and built-in solution. This method is suitable for managing small contact lists. Follow the steps:
- Open Microsoft Outlook on your computer.
- Navigate to the “File” menu.
- Choose Open & Export, and then clickon Import/Export.
- Select Export to a file.
- Choose “Microsoft Excel” or “Comma Separated Values.” Click Next.
- Press the Contacts folder.
- Choose the Destination File.
- Finish the exporting process.
When the process is done, the CSV file will be saved at your chosen location. You can now open it with any spreadsheet application like Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, or others.
Drawbacks of Using Manual Solutions
- Not suitable for bulk converting large Outlook contact files.
- Online conversion has higher data security risks.
- It takes time and requires a stable Internet.
- It can only handle small contact lists.
- Sometimes, it requires technical expertise.
This manual process can not export Outlook contacts to Excel safely due to its deficiency, so in these circumstances, you will need to use the expert solution to clarify and streamline the process. Go ahead and get more information about the direct method below.
Also Read: Save Outlook Contacts as MSG Files
Method 2: Export Contacts from Outlook to CSV Format – Automated Solution
If you need frequent export of Outlook address book to CSV format, then SysTools vCard Export Tool is a professional software that allows users to move multiple contacts from MS Outlook to CSV format efficiently. Moreover, this advanced software has no limitations and converts Outlook contacts list to CSV while maintaining original folder structure.
One of the best things is that this application has a free trial version, so you can download it and follow simple guidelines to export Outlook contacts to CSV format in just a few steps. This is a robust tool that makes the entire process effortless. It supports bulk processing and provides accurate results.
Steps to Export All Outlook Contacts to CSV Format
- Download & run the tool on your system.
- Choose Add File & Folder option to upload Outlook Contacts list.
- Preview all contact data in the software.
- Select CSV as desired file format.
- Lastly, click on Export button to run the process.
Advantages of Using Pro Solution
- Export contact data quickly without manual steps and save time.
- Easily handle large contact lists at once by bulk export feature.
- It eliminates the risk and reduces errors during the process.
- Supports multiple file formats like CSV, VCF, and more.
- Provides a clean and user-friendly interface for seamless conversion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q 1:Which contacts can I choose for Exporting?
Unfortunately, Outlook’s built-in export feature exports your entire Contacts folder by default. However, you can filter your contacts using categories before exporting or manually select which contacts to move to a new folder for export.
Q2: Can I customize contact fields when exporting to CSV?
- Outlook doesn’t provide a built-in way to customize columns during export, but you can:
- Edit the CSV file in Excel or another spreadsheet tool after exporting.
- Manually select which fields to include or exclude after exporting by editing the CSV file.
Q 3: How do I make sure my CSV file is compatible with other applications?
- The file is formatted correctly with the appropriate delimiter (comma or semicolon, depending on your regional settings).
- The program you use to import will recognize the CSV format you are using.
- If you are transferring to another device, you may need to match the field names or adjust the format to suit the new system.
Q4: How do I export Outlook contacts to Excel or CSV?
- Open Outlook.
- Press the File button, then click Open & Export.
- Click Import/Export.
- In the application, tick the Export to a file, then click Next.
- Choose Excel or CSV (Comma Separated Values), then click Next.
- Choose Contacts, then click Next.
- Select the place to save the file, and give the converted file a name.
- Tick the Finish button, then select any other options you want. Your contacts are exported to an Excel file.
Concluding Words!
In this blog, we have covered 2 most reliable solutions to export Outlook contacts to CSV format seamlessly. Moreover, we have also understand manaul method always comes with some limitations that cannot be ignored. So, for a secure and smooth conversion, choose a professional tool export contacts from Outlook to CSV format in a hassle-free way.
