In today’s digital age, managing contacts is essential for staying connected and organized. Microsoft Outlook is a popular email client that also allows users to store and manage their contacts. Exporting contacts from Outlook can be useful when switching to a new email client or if you want to backup your contacts. In this article, we will guide you through the steps to export contacts from Outlook.
Exporting Contacts from Outlook
Step 1: Open Outlook and Go to the Contacts Section
– Launch Microsoft Outlook on your computer.
– Click on the “Contacts” tab at the bottom left corner of the Outlook window.
– This will open the Contacts section where all your contacts are listed.
Step 2: Select the Contacts You Want to Export
– From the list of contacts, select the contacts you want to export. You can either select individual contacts by holding down the Ctrl key while clicking on each contact or select all contacts by pressing Ctrl + A.
Step 3: Click on the File Tab
– After selecting the contacts, click on the “File” tab at the top left corner of the Outlook window.
Step 4: Choose “Open & Export” and then “Import/Export”
– In the File menu, click on “Open & Export” and then select “Import/Export”. This will open the Import and Export Wizard.
Step 5: Choose “Export to a file” and Click “Next”
– In the Import and Export Wizard, choose “Export to a file” and click on “Next”.
Step 6: Select “Comma Separated Values” and Click “Next”
– In the next window, select “Comma Separated Values” (CSV) and click on “Next”. CSV is a common format for exporting contacts as it can be easily imported into other email clients and contact management software.
Step 7: Select the Contacts Folder to Export
– In the Export to a File window, select the folder containing the contacts you want to export. If you want to export all contacts, select the top-level folder that contains all your contacts.
Step 8: Choose a Location to Save the Exported File
– Click on the “Browse” button to choose a location to save the exported file. You can save the file on your computer or an external storage device for backup purposes.
Step 9: Finish the Export Process
– Click on “Finish” to complete the export process. Outlook will export the selected contacts to a CSV file and save it to the location you specified.
Importing Contacts into a New Email Client
Once you have exported your contacts from Outlook, you can easily import them into a new email client or contact management software. Here are the general steps to import contacts from a CSV file:
Step 1: Open the New Email Client
– Launch the new email client or contact management software on your computer.
Step 2: Locate the Import Contacts Option
– Look for the option to import contacts in the new email client. This option is usually found in the settings or contacts menu.
Step 3: Choose the CSV File to Import
– Select the option to import contacts from a file and choose the CSV file that you exported from Outlook.
Step 4: Map Fields and Import Contacts
– The new email client may ask you to map fields from the CSV file to the corresponding fields in the email client. This ensures that the contact information is imported correctly.
Step 5: Complete the Import Process
– Once you have mapped the fields, click on the import button to bring in the contacts from the CSV file into the new email client.
Backup Your Contacts
Exporting contacts from Outlook is also a great way to create a backup of your contacts in case of data loss or system failure. By saving your contacts in a CSV file, you can easily import them back into Outlook or another email client if needed. It is recommended to regularly export and backup your contacts to avoid losing important contact information.
Conclusion
Exporting contacts from Outlook is a straightforward process that allows you to manage and backup your contact information. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can export your contacts to a CSV file and import them into a new email client or contact management software. Remember to regularly backup your contacts to ensure that you always have access to your important contact information.
