How to Export Outlook Contacts to CSV on Windows and Mac?

  author
Rollins Duke   
Published: March 26th, 2024 • 7 Min Read

Often contacts retain crucial information including email addresses, contact numbers, and other vital data. Moreover, it is a significant way of communicating with potential leads or contacts without any hindrance. Besides this, when it comes to export Outlook contacts to CSV file, there are several reasons such as backup, migration, and so on.

In this article, we will elaborate on those factors incorporated behind exporting Outlook address book to CSV on Windows and Mac machines. Further, we shed light on both manual and expert approaches.

What Is Need to Download Outlook Contacts to CSV File?

There is no doubt many users of Outlook frequently search- Can I export Outlook contacts to CSV file due to several reasons? Since there are multiple factors. So, we will walk through to uncover the need for export Outlook address book to CSV:

Recovery or Backup: Sometimes due to accidental deletion of data users face unprecedented issues. Also, whether you’ve configured POP3 and IMAP protocol, unintentional or accidental deletion remains the prominent factor behind the loss of confidential information. For the same, saving the mockery of contact information for backup helps professionals or businesses in many ways.

Data Migration: Often professionals move from one email service to another for different reasons. Some of them are security, flexibility, data recovery, etc. With this, export contact groups from Outlook to CSV can help users to do these tasks without any issues and risk factors.

Bulk Sharing: There are several instances where users need to bulk share the contact list. For the same, it is necessary to export Outlook contacts to a CSV file in bulk for easy and quick transmission.

Data Analysis: Sometimes professionals want to do contact data analysis and gain insights from contacts. This helps to sort and filter contact details in different ways. Hence, after opening the CSV file in Excel choose Analyze Data option.

Overall, exporting the contact file provides users with more flexibility for easy transmission and analysis of data without any loss or hindrance. Besides the aforementioned points, the reasons behind download Outlook contacts to CSV file includes errorless integration, sharing, and keeping the record for analysis.

With this, you might have a broader understanding of the need to export or create a contact list. Now, we will head to learn the methods.

How to Export Outlook contacts to CSV File Manually? [Windows]

  1. Open Outlook in your system >> click on the ‘File‘ tap.
  2. Select ‘Open & Export‘ then choose the ‘Import/Export‘ option.
    Import Export
  3. In the pop-up dialog box, choose the option ‘Export to a file‘ >> Next.
    Export to a file
  4. Select ‘Comma Separated Values‘ i.e. CSV and press Next.
    Comma separated values
  5. In the next dialog box, choose the ‘Contacts‘ folder and click on Next.
    Select contacts
  6. Use the ‘Browse‘ button to set the destination path and hit Next.
    Browse a location
  7. Enable Export ‘Contacts‘ from folder: Contacts >> Finish.
    Export Outlook contacts to CSV file
  8. Exporting Outlook contacts to CSV file, please wait.
    Export Outlook global address book to CSV

Limitations and Suggestions

Often users find the above-mentioned manual steps tricky, complex, and tiresome. And, if you’re experiencing the same then, you aren’t alone. Moreover, using these steps, there is a high chance of blunder or error. It will result in major loss or disruption while exporting Outlook contacts to CSV.

You can perform this manual method to export Outlook contacts to CSV file, these steps are suitable for Outlook 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021 desktop versions. If your Outlook client stopped working, then you cannot utilize this manual method to export Outlook address book to CSV format.

Read Next: Trick to Convert PST to CSV without Outlook

Pro Method to Convert Outlook Contacts to CSV File [Windows]

In this subsection, we will talk about the highly preferable and professionally suggested solution for export. Use the BitRecover PST Converter Tool that is available for Windows and Mac; it is considered the best way to manage emails, contacts, calendars, journals, tasks, attachments, etc. Moreover, it provides the privilege for users to export Outlook contacts to vCard, CSV, PST, and MSG formats.

Further, the extensive features of this robust tool include batch conversion, maintaining the folder hierarchy, and taking the backup of contacts. Further, it is among the best go-to methods to export Outlook contacts to CSV file. Now, move forward to learn the steps.

How to Export Outlook Contacts to CSV File?

  1. First, install and run the above-mentioned tool on your Windows system.
    Start software
  2. Add Outlook profile data from the default storage location with an automated option.
    Configured account
  3. Now, select the Contact folders and click on the Next button.
    Select contacts
  4. Here, select the CSV file format from the Select Saving option.
    Download Outlook contacts to CSV file
  5. Pick a preferable destination location where you want to save the CSV file.
    Convert Outlook contacts to CSV file
  6. Click the Convert button to convert Outlook contacts to CSV files.
    Export all Outlook contacts to CSV

Pro Tip: With the lesser complexity and time-saving factor, this tool remains the top-notch choice for businesses and professionals to export contact group from Outlook to CSV file format. Interestingly, users can apply the data filter options to add more robust functionalities while exporting the contact addresses.

How to Download Mac Outlook Contacts to CSV?

There is no direct way to export Mac Outlook contacts to CSV formats. But still, you can complete this task, by following 2 phases as mentioned below:

Phase 1: Export Outlook Contacts to OLM File

  1. Start Mac Outlook on your MacBook or iMac.
  2. Choose ‘Tools‘ and then select the ‘Export‘ option.
    Export button
  3. Enable ‘Contacts‘ from Export to Archive File (.olm), click Continue.
    Select contacts
  4. Then, in the ‘Save As‘ box, choose a preferred destination path.
    Export Mac Outlook contacts to CSV
  5. Click the ‘Save‘ button to export contacts from Mac Outlook to OLM.
  6. Lastly, after completing the process, tap on ‘Finish‘.
    Phase 1 completed

Phase 2: Use Software to Convert Exported OLM File

Just download BitRecover OLM Converter Wizard on a Mac and Windows machine. After that follow the mentioned steps to convert OLM contacts to CSV file. Let’s know how!

  1. Run the tool and choose the Select Files or Select Folders option to add OLM files.
    Select Mac Outlook file
  2. After that, select Contact folders from the software GUI and click Next.
    Select Mac Outlook contacts
  3. Enable the Contacts option and then choose Outlook Contacts as shown in the figure.
    Outlook contacts
  4. Select a location to store the resultant CSV file using the Browse icon.
    Destination folder
  5. Click the Convert button to convert Mac Outlook contacts to CSV.
    Export contacts from Mac Outlook to CSV
  6. Lastly, get the resultant contacts in CSV format, it’s completed.
    Exported CSV

The Bottom Line

In summary, we have shed light on the importance and the need to export Outlook contacts to CSV files on Windows and Mac OS. Besides this, we have mentioned both expert and free solutions to convert Outlook address book to CSV in bulk. However, using the manual can cause further issues such as more hindrance, less security, and time-consuming, etc.

On the other hand, the aforementioned tools are a one-time investment for any individual or business to batch export the contact list while maintaining the folder hierarchy and hassle-free data export.

Regularly Asked Questions

Que 1: How to export Outlook contacts to CSV on Mac?

Mac Outlook does not provide any direct option to download Mac Outlook contacts to CSV file. Hence, you need to follow 2 different steps to perform this task. First export Mac Outlook contacts in OLM file and then convert file into CSV format as mentioned above.

Que 2: How do I export Outlook contacts to a CSV file on Windows?

Windows Outlook offers a built-in feature to export Outlook contacts to CSV using Import Export Wizard. You can scroll above to read more about the steps.

Que 3: Can I use your software if Outlook crashes?

Yes, the software requires only Outlook profile data to perform the conversion. Outlook is not required so in your case, you can get Outlook profile data from the default storage location.

Que 4: Can I run above mentioned tools on Mac OS?

Yes, you can download and install, above mentioned tools on Mac as well as Windows OS platforms.