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How to Extract Contacts from OST File? Complete Guide

  Rollins Duke
Rollins Duke   
Published: May 23rd, 2025 • 8 Min Read

Do you need to extract contacts from OST file? If yes, then you can stay tuned to this blog post. This article explains several ways to retrieve contacts from OST files with or without Microsoft Outlook.

Outlook uses two types of data files to store mailbox items locally—OST (Offline Storage Table) and PST (Personal Storage Table)—depending on how the email account is configured.
When you configure an Outlook account using IMAP, Microsoft 365 or Exchange Server it will create an OST file. It stores a local copy of your mailbox data such as emails, contacts, calendars, tasks, and notes and allows you to access your data offline. Any changes made offline will reflect when connectivity is restored.

Are you aware of the fact that OST stores a synchronized copy of all Exchange Server mailboxes on your local computer? However, there may be instances where the users want to extract contacts from OST file.

Reasons could vary for this – Maybe you want to create a contact database and want to retrieve contacts from OST file. Another reason could be that you want to convert OST to PST format so that users can import these contacts in Outlook to reuse them.

Table of Content Hide
  1. Quick Steps to Extract Contacts from Outlook OST File
  2. Understand Reasons to Restore Outlook Contacts from OST File
  3. #1 Manual Way to Export Contacts from OST to PST
  4. #2 Manual Way to Retrieve Contacts from OST File to CSV
  5. #3 Pro Solution to Export Contacts from Outlook OST
  6. Best Practices for Managing Outlook Contacts
  7. Closing Thoughts
  8. Question and Answer

Quick Steps to Extract Contacts from Outlook OST File

  1. Install and run OST contacts export tool.
  2. Add OST files to the software panel.
  3. Select contacts folder and click Next.
  4. Choose the standard saving option.
  5. Click Convert to extract contacts from OST.

Understand Reasons to Restore Outlook Contacts from OST File

Restoring Outlook contacts from OST files may become necessary due to various reasons:

  • Data Backup: Extracting contacts from OST file allows you to create a backup of your contact information. This backup can be essential in case of data loss or corruption.
  • Data Migration: When switching to a new email client or a different version of Outlook, you may need to migrate your contacts. This migration process becomes simplified, after retrieving contacts from OST file to standard formats.
  • Contacts Recovery: OST files can be corrupted due to several reasons such as hardware failures or software issues. Sometimes users want to export contacts from corrupted OST files to recover inaccessible contact data.
  • Offline Access: You can use extracted contacts offline, even when you’re not connected to the Exchange Server. This can be useful for users who need to access contact information in remote or offline situations.
  • Selective Sharing: Sometimes, you may want to share specific contacts with others without giving them access to your entire mailbox. Hence, the process to recover Outlook contacts from .ost file seems helpful and has selective sharing capabilities.

#1 Manual Way to Export Contacts from OST to PST

  1. Run the Microsoft Outlook client and choose File.
  2. Choose Open & Export >> Import/Export option.
    Import and Export
  3. Select Export to a file and click Next.
    Export to a file
  4. Choose Outlook Data File (.pst) and press Next.
    Export contacts from OST to PST
  5. Select Contacts from available items and Next.
    Select contacts
  6. Browse the destination path to store the output file.
    Browse destination location
  7. Enable do not export duplicate items and Finish.
  8. You can add a password optionally and click OK.
  9. The process to export contacts from OST to PST is running.
  10. Retrieve exported contacts from the selected destination.

#2 Manual Way to Retrieve Contacts from OST File to CSV

  1. Launch MS Outlook and choose the File option.
  2. Select Open & Export >> Import/Export to continue.
    Import Export Option
  3. Choose Export to a file option and click Next.
    Select Export to a file option
  4. Select Comma Separated Values and Next.
    Choose Comma Separated Values
  5. Select the Contacts folder and press Next.
    extract contacts from outlook ost file
  6. Use the Browse button to set the destination path and click Next.
    Browse a location
  7. Map custom fields if required accordingly.
    Map custom fields
  8. Click the Finish button to extract contacts from OST to CSV format.
    Export contacts from outlook OST
  9. Get the resultant Contacts.csv file from the destination path.
    Resultant contacts

Some Manual Method Limitations

  • Microsoft Outlook should be installed and running condition on your computer.
  • You can extract contacts from Outlook OST files only from configured accounts.
  • The manual methods don’t allow to restore Outlook contacts from OST files in batch.
  • Non-technical users may face problems while extracting contacts from OST file.
  • The manual techniques permit exporting contacts from Outlook OST file to PST and CSV formats. But most users have a desire to export OST contacts to vCard because this is the standard format for contacts.

#3 Pro Solution to Export Contacts from Outlook OST

BitRecover OST Converter Software is an outstanding solution for extracting contacts from OST files. This all-in-one piece of software that is authorized to retrieve contacts from OST files to standard formats (vCard, CSV, PST). This OST contacts export tool is compatible with both ANSI and Unicode files of Microsoft Outlook 2021, 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, 2007, and old editions. Download the free trial version to check out how this software works.

How to Extract Contacts from OST File?

  1. Launch the Outlook contacts export tool and add OST file(s) in the software using Select Files or Select Folders.
    Outlook Contacts Export Tool
  2. Select contacts from the software panel and click the Next button.
    Select Next
  3. Use filter options to retrieve specific contacts from OST file.
    Use filters to extract contacts from OST file
  4. Choose a saving option, recommended from CSV, vCard, or PST.
    Saving option
  5. Browse the destination path to store extracted contacts.
    Set destination path
  6. Click the Next button to extract contacts from OST file.
    Retrieve contacts from OST file
  7. Contacts exported successfully, see the pop-up message of completion.
    Restore outlook contacts from OST file
  8. Last, the OST contacts export tool automatically opens the destination path so you can easily get the resultant data.

OST Contacts Export Tool Features

  • The software allows extracting contacts from multiple OST files at once for a fast process.
  • Provides a separate Recovery Mode option to repair corrupted OST files to extract contacts.
  • OST contacts export tool offers several saving options to store exported contacts.
  • The tool automatically loads Outlook *.ost files into the panel for the extraction of OST contacts.
  • The software preserves all contact components throughout extracting contacts from OST files.
  • The utility has a user-friendly GUI to be easily operated by both technical and novice users.
  • There is no requirement to install Outlook on the computer to perform this process.

Best Practices for Managing Outlook Contacts

  • Sync Outlook with cloud servers such as Microsoft 365, Exchange Online to get real time updates and accessibility across all devices.
  • Eliminate duplicate or not required contacts using Outlook clean-up tools and add-ons to keep your address book clean and organized.
  • Use categories and contact groups to sort and manage your contacts in specific order especially for bulk communications.
  • Sort contact details using standard names and formats to make all relevant fields such as email and phone numbers are managed correctly.
  • Secure your contact with encrypted backup or enable two-factor authentication to protect against unauthorized access.
Closing Thoughts

In the above write-up, we have learned 3 different ways to extract contacts from OST files. If Microsoft Outlook is installed on pc, then you can use the manual method to extract contacts from OST file free of cost. For orphaned OST files, you can use the above-mentioned software that is recommended by experts.

You can try the free demo version of this software for evaluation purposes. With this, you will be able to extract a few OST contacts from each folder. To perform the unlimited extraction, purchase the licensed version of the software. Although this utility has an easy conversion process, if you still have queries regarding this, just contact our technical support team.

Question and Answer

Que 1: How to extract contacts from OST file free?

Ans: Follow above mentioned 1st and 2nd methods to extract contacts from OST file free of cost. However, Microsoft Outlook should be installed and configured on your computer.

Que 2: Does your software allow to restore Outlook contacts from OST file?

Ans: Yes, first enable the Use Recover Mode option then you can recover Outlook contacts from .ost file effortlessly.

Que 3: Can I retrieve contacts from OST file, which is disconnected from Outlook?

Ans: Yes, the tool supports both orphaned and configured Outlook OST files so don’t worry.

Que 4: How do I export my entire contact list from the OST file?

Ans: To export the entire contact list from an OST file, use the Outlook import/export feature if your profile is active, otherwise you can use Pro Solution to extract contacts in formats like CSV or vCard without required Outlook.

Que 5: Are contacts stored in an OST file?

Ans: Yes, OST file stored contacts if you’re using an Exchange, Microsoft 365 or IMAP account in Outlook. It stores a local copy of the mailbox data including emails, contacts, calendars and to access it offline without requiring connectivity.

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