How to Import an Outlook PST File on PC or Mac

This wikiHow teaches you how to import the data from a .pst file into Microsoft Outlook for Windows or macOS.

Steps

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    Open Outlook on your computer. It’s in the All Apps area of the
    Image titled Windowsstart.png
    menu in Windows, and in the Applications folder in macOS.
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    Click the File menu. It’s at the top-left corner of Outlook.
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    Click Open & Export. It’s at the top of the left column.
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    Click Import/Export. It’s the icon with blue and green arrows.
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    Select Import from another program or file. It’s at the center of the list.
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    Click Next.
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    Select Outlook Data File (.pst). This type of file contains information such as your email messages, contacts, and calendar details.
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    Click Next.
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    Click Browse…. Your computer’s file browser will appear.
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    Navigate to the folder containing the .pst file.
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    Select the file and click Open. The file’s path now appears next to the “Browse” button.
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    Select what to do with duplicate details. The default is “replace duplicates with items imported.”
    • If you don’t mind duplicate contacts and data, select Allow duplicates to be created.
    • If you want duplicates to be ignored, select Do not import duplicates.
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    Click Next.
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    Select the destination folder. The default option should be fine for most people.
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    Click Finish. It’s at the bottom of the window. The data from the selected .pst file will now be imported into Outlook.

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About This Article

Nicole Levine, MFA
Written by:
Nicole Levine, MFA
Tech Specialist
This article was written by Nicole Levine, MFA. Nicole Levine is a Technology Writer and Editor for wikiHow. She has more than 20 years of experience creating technical documentation and leading support teams at major web hosting and software companies. Nicole also holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Portland State University and teaches composition, fiction-writing, and zine-making at various institutions. This article has been viewed 2,183 times.
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Co-authors: 2
Updated: April 9, 2018
Views: 2,183
Categories: Outlook