How to Convert PST to CSV Format Easily? [Expert Guide]

How to Convert PST to CSV Manually?

Method-1: Using Outlook’s Inbuilt Option

Outlook inbuilt import and export wizard is suitable for users who have Microsoft Outlook installed. It can export contacts and other supported folders from accessible PST files. This approach doesn’t require technical knowledge.

Prerequisites:

• The PST file should be present in the Outlook profile.
• Outlook should be in running condition

Working Steps:

1. First, launch MS Outlook on your machine and choose the File option.
2. Next, select Open & Export >> Import/Export.
   
3. Now, choose Export to a file option and hit Next.
   
4. Next, select the Comma Separated Values option and click the Next button.
   
5. Thereafter, select the Contacts folder to export from the Outlook client, and click Next.
   
6. Then, choose the Browse button to select a specific destination and press Next.
   
7. Now, use Map Custom Fields to ensure that Outlook contact fields (like First Name, Last Name, Phone) properly match CSV columns.
   
8. Next, click Finish and wait for the export process to complete.
   
9. Lastly, go to the destination path and get exported contacts in CSV format.
   

Note: Outlook’s built-in export wizard works well for exporting contacts only. If you want to export emails and other data, you must use a specialized PST to CSV converter. In this method, Email formatting, attachments, inline images, recurring calendar settings, categories & other Outlook-specific properties are not preserved while you convert PST file to CSV.

Method-2: Via PowerShell Script

This method is built particularly for technical users who have experience with PowerShell scripting. It lets users convert PST to CSV automatically by running, creating and troubleshooting scripts. However, execute the below script code with utmost caution.

Prerequisites:

• The PST file must be locally stored on your system.
• Outlook must be installed on your system (this PowerShell script depends on the Outlook COM object for working).

PowerShell Script to Convert PST Files to CSV

Press Windows Key and search Windows PowerShell then open it.
Now, Enter $outlook = New-Object -ComObject Outlook.Application.
Then provide $namespace = $outlook.GetNamespace(“MAPI”)
After that, Fill $inbox = $namespace.GetDefaultFolder(6) # 6 = olFolderInbox
Here, enter $messages = $inbox.Items.
Provide destination : $outputPath = “C:\Users\YourUsername\Documents\OST_Emails.csv”
Enter $data = @()
Here, Enter Messages details with for Each loop: foreach ($mail in $messages) {
if ($mail -is [__ComObject] -and $mail.Subject) {
$data += [PSCustomObject]@{
Subject = $mail.Subject
Sender = $mail.SenderName
To = $mail.To
Received = $mail.ReceivedTime
BodyPreview = $mail.Body.Substring(0, [Math]::Min($mail.Body.Length, 100)) # Limit to first 100 chars
}
}
}
Export to a CSV $data | Export-Csv -Path $outputPath -NoTypeInformation -Encoding UTF8
Write Output “Export completed to $outputPath”.

Important Note: Before following the working steps save the PowerShell script by the name of Export-PST-All.ps1 using your Notepad.

Working Steps:

1. Initially, go to the Windows Start menu and search for Windows PowerShell.
2. After that, from the right-side menu, select Run as Administrator.
3. Now, use the cd (change directory) command to navigate to the location where you saved your script file (e.g., cd C:\Users\YourName\Desktop).
4. Type .\Export-PST-All.ps1 and press Enter to run the script.
5. Once you see the success message “All PST items exported”, navigate to the destination path and look for the .csv file.

How to Convert PST to CSV in Bulk Without Outlook? (Step-by-Step)

1. First, install and run PST to CSV Converter on your computer and read all instructions.
   
2. Now, software allows you to simultaneously process multiple folders or orphan PST files in software GUI. Choose accordingly.
   
3. Next, preview and click the desired folders from the software panel to convert PST file to CSV.
   
4. Then, select CSV as a file-saving option from the given drop-down list of saving options.
   
5. After that, choose the desired destination path and encoding from UTF-8 or UTF-16.
   
6. Finally, click the Convert button to start the process to convert PST to CSV without Outlook.
   
7. See Outlook PST to CSV conversion is running, please wait for completion.