Office Outlook 2010 Import And Export

Recently I have been playing around Microsoft Outlook 2010 for quite some time, a few days back I wrote a way to make a backup of Outlook 2010. This post will focus on two parts:

  1. Importing Outlook Data File(.PST) from Outlook 2003/2007 and Outlook 2010 itself
  2. Exporting Complete Outlook 2010 Items

The first part will come handy for users who want to migrate all their data(emails, contacts, calendars, etc) from Outlook 2007 to Outlook 2010. While the second part will come handy if you want to make a complete backup of Outlook 2010 without using any 3rd party tool. The procedure for both importing and exporting are similar to Outlook 2007, instead there is now a new Office button in Outlook 2010.

Note: I would also recommend that you install the Outlook Data Export Add-in for Outlook 2010, it can make exporting both quick and easy.

To launch the Export/Import wizard, first hit the Office button go to File menu, navigate to Open, and click Import(as shown in the screenshot below). Before the beta version, there was Saving option but it has been removed.

Outlook 2010 backstage import

Note: Before you can import the complete Outlook 2007 items, make sure you have exported it in Outlook Data File(.PST). It is recommended file type for exporting data, this is because it allows users to make complete backup.

Importing

In the Import And Export wizard, select Import from another program or file option and hit Next.

Export And Import Wizard

Under File Type, select Outlook Data File(.pst) and hit Next.

Import A File

Now choose the file to import, select the options, and hit Next.

Import Outlook Data File

It will then ask you to enter the password for backup file twice.

enter password to import the file

Once done, finally select the folder to import from(if you want to import complete data don’t change any settings) and make sure Include subfolders is checked. You can either import the file to the current folder or choose the folder.

Import Outlook File

Exporting

In the Import And Export Wizard, select Export to a file option and hit Next.

Export And Import Wizard 2

Under File Type, select Outlook Data File(.pst) and hit Next.

Export To A File

Now make sure Include subfolder is checked, this makes sure that all data including, Emails, Calendar, Contacts, Drafts, etc are exported. To export only a single folder, choose that folder and hit Next.

Export Outlook Data File

Now give the backup file a name and choose the destination where you want it to be saved and hit Finish.

Export Outlook File

Lastly, enter the Password to secure the backup file.

Create Outlook Data File Password

Once done, it will again ask you to enter the password. Enter the same password again and it will begin exporting your data.

Outlook Data File

During this process your Outlook might become unresponsive for a few seconds. When it becomes responsive again it means that the export is complete. You can then verify the export file by visiting the destination where you saved it. For more, also check out our guides on:

  • Freddy

    Hey everyone,
    this looks like a lot of clicking-work. Since I’m not that fast at my PC although I need to save my Outlook-Data. In this case I use a program by a company. It’s sold and not free, but it knows it’s duty and works reliable!
    The program is called Lookeen Backup Manager – http://www.lookeen-backup.com
    Try it and get satisified :P

    Greets
    Freddy

  • John

    Can i do this to import files from 2010 to outlook 2003?

  • coobs

    Very helpful. Many thanks! I just moved 9000 emails from Outlook 2007 to Outlook 2010 by exporting the .pst files to my USB flash drive and then putting on my new computer. Excellent advice. Thanks matey!

  • Jurgen

    Is there anybody out there who knows a trick to import a lot of msg files from a local file system folder structure directly into a pst file?
    Would be great too if the local file and fodler structue would be the same then in the pst file ;-)

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  • EcoGoo

    Wow what an intuitive location to put the Export function; in the Open Menu…

    • therealcristie

      No kidding! I know how to import/export. I just couldn’t find the darn menu! Thanks for the article!

  • John

    Well I imported the PST file which went OK except when I had done that I couldn’t find the data anywhere ???

  • Codrin

    10, very useful

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  • Peer

    Very useful, wonderfully written and great visuals.

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  • Selami Ozlu

    Very helpful. Thanks. Selami Ozlu

  • limtohhan

    Wonderful! Thanks :) Just thought it would be more natural to introduce exporting first before importing, since you’re describing a transfer process.

  • Simon Shaw

    Yes, let’s hide the Export function under the Import menu. What is Microsoft feeding their programmers?

  • jfhdz

    Thanks brother!, your article is very interesting

  • Kumar

    Very informative and useful. Thanks for posting.

  • ibrahim

    with my previous outlook2007 i use the option to keep a copy of the email on my mail server , and i did export from outlook 2007 and import it to outlook 2010 successfully, but then outlook 2010 is trying to download all my existing emails from the mail server, how can i prevent downloading my existing emails that’s already downloaded before ?

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  • Marc

    When I try to import pst file, I get this message:

    “this pst data file in already in use”

    ????

  • Arghistani

    Usful thanks

  • Arnim

    Great, but what about rules, alerts, categories and e-mail account info? How do we go about exporting and re-importing those?

  • Thomas

    Alternatively you can export all your account settings doing an export from the registry.

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows Messaging Subsystem\Profiles\Outlook

    I always do an export of the whole section before I do a reinstall of windows. Then import the reg file after the new windows is up. Then install Outlook and open up with all settings intact.

  • Ifat

    is there anyway how to backup Outlook 2010 mail account settings? not just the messages. I really frustated search arround how to make it happen :(

    • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_HSG46PYRPDRYOJ3XHPG25TXNMA Dharmendra

      you just click on file and there is option select this one and here you can get account setting here click one data file location where that file or .pst file are save copy that path and open that location and save it that particular file .pst that is the essay way take backup without import and export.

    • Wreck99

      use gfi backup – transfers the whole box & dice – accounts mail -rss….

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  • Vkyhunk

    I was using Office Outlook 2007. I back-up the .pst file and saved it. Then, I installed Office Professional Plus 2010 and did exactly as you have said in this thread. But now Outlook 2010 is showing 2 different inbox and other folders.
    The moment choose to set up my account it downloaded all the email like it shows online in GMAIL and then it is showing my all the folders that i had created in Outlook 2007.Please help me.. Kindly provide all the step by step instruction.

    Hoping for an early reply.

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  • M.Arulbalasubramanian

    thanks……….

  • Ahed Karmoul

    Sooo Wonderful.. Thank you.

  • Kelly Reid

    For some reason I now have a folder that is named “Important” and it has emails from all over my folders, even deleted.  What would have happened to create this folder and how can I get rid of it? It is also storing my Junk mail.  Any thoughts?  I tried to delete the folder Outlook won’t allow it.

  • Info

    On my new PC I have Windows 7 and Outlook 2010. Old PC has Widows Vista.
    Trying to export and import all emails from my old outlook to a new one, but facing problems.
    When I exported files, they all came with .eml extension. It looks like it is not correct: it should be .pst.
    May be, somebody can help?
    My email: info@besttropics.com

  • Skramer65

    I’m sorry but the importing instructions simply don’t work.  It’s very possible MS has changed Outlook since this was written but this doesn’t work.

  • Tabaribuki Tabaribuki

    When I use this method to export, the size of the new (backup) PST file is much smaller, only 15 GB while the original PST file is 23 GB. However, I checked the number of emails in each folder and they were exactly the same. Can anyone explain where this difference comes from ?

  • Pipechaves

    awesome still working !!!

  • Aju

    THX a lot
     

  • AriWe

    I got a new computer and transfered Outlook 2007 to 2010. I can’t see the contacts. I uploaded
    the following screen shots to explain what is happening on my computer. I hope
    that this is helpful:

    I transferred
    the files w EasyTransfer and installed Outlook. All folders are there
    but AB doesn’t show in dropdowns
    or TO button, can’t create groups etc. Trying to make the folders show in
    the AB the box for Show in AB is not clickable.

    I created a
    new profile. Added the outlook AB to the list and was able to activate my
    hotmail account. But this is the only folder that shows
    in the My Contacts all the other folders that I had in the original profile
    don’t
    show.

    In addition I
    can’t create any other email accounts in the new folder, they all fail for some
    reason. What should I do? is there a way to uninstall everything and start all
    over again?

    Thank you,

  • Alex

    Thank you so much, outlook backup is so useful