Import or export contacts in Outlook using a .csv file

In this section:​​​​​​​

• Import local contacts from classic Outlook

• Import contacts to new Outlook

• Export contacts from new Outlook

Import local contacts from classic Outlook to new Outlook

If you used classic Outlook before moving to new Outlook and you saved contacts locally, those contacts may not have copied over to new Outlook. To import locally saved contacts from classic Outlook to new Outlook, you need to export these contacts to a .csv file in classic Outlook and then import that file to new Outlook.

Import contacts to new Outlook using a .csv file

Use a comma separated values file (CSV) to import your contacts into your Outlook account.

1. In new Outlook, from the navigation bar, select  People.

   Tip: If People aren't already in the left navigation bar, select More apps, then People to add it. After adding People, right-click and select Pin to keep it in the left navigation bar.

2. From the ribbon, select Manage contacts > Import contacts.

    

3. Select Browse, choose your CSV file, and select Open.

4. Select Import.

Export contacts to a .csv file in new Outlook​​​​​​​

When you export your contacts from new Outlook, a copy of your contacts is saved to a CSV file. You can then use this file to import your contacts to another email account.

1. On the side panel select  People.

2. From the ribbon, select Manage contacts > Export contacts.

    

3. In the dropdown under Contacts from this folder, choose an option then select Export.

4. The exported .CSV file is saved to your Downloads folder.

Import contacts to classic Outlook using a .csv file

1. At the top of your Outlook ribbon, choose File.

   If your ribbon doesn't have a File option in the top left corner, you're using an older Outlook version. See What version of Outlook do I have? to get to the import instructions for your version of Outlook.

   

2. Choose Open & Export > Import/Export. This starts the wizard!

   

3. Choose Import from another program or file, and then choose Next.

   

4. Choose Comma Separated Values, and then choose Next.

   

5. In the Import a File box, browse to your contacts file, and then double-click to select it.

   

6. Choose one of the following to specify how you want Outlook to handle duplicate contacts:

   • Replace duplicates with items imported   If a contact is already in Outlook and your contacts file, Outlook discards the info it has for that contact and uses the info from your contacts file. You should choose this option if the contact info in your contacts file is more complete or more current than the contact info in Outlook.

   • Allow duplicates to be created   If a contact is in Outlook and your contacts file, Outlook creates duplicate contacts, one with the original Outlook info and one with the info imported from your contacts file. You can combine info for those people later to eliminate duplicate contacts. This is the default option.

   • Do not import duplicate items    If a contact is in Outlook and your contacts file, Outlook keeps the info it has for that contact and discards the info from your contacts file. You should choose this option if the contact info in Outlook is more complete or more current than the info in your contacts file.

7. Click Next.

8. In the Select a destination folder box, scroll to the top if needed and select the Contacts folder > Next. If you have multiple email accounts, choose the Contacts folder that's under the email account you want to be associated with the contacts.

   

9. Choose Finish.

   

   Outlook begins importing your contacts immediately. You'll know it's finished when the Import Progress box closes.

10. To see your contacts, at the bottom of Outlook, choose the People icon.

    

Didn't work?

See Fix problems importing contacts to Outlook.

Export contacts to a file in classic Outlook

1. In Outlook on a PC, choose File.

   If your ribbon doesn't have a File option in the top left corner, you're not using Outlook on a PC. See What version of Outlook do I have? to get to the export instructions for your version of Outlook.

   

2. Choose Open & Export > Import/Export.

   

3. Choose Export to a file.

   

4. Choose Comma Separated Values.

5. THIS STEP IS KEY especially if you're borrowing a friend's computer: In the Select folder to export from box, scroll to the top if needed and select the Contacts folder that's under your account. Choose Next.

   

6. Choose Browse, name your file, and choose OK.

   

7. Confirm where your new contacts file will be saved on your computer, and choose Next.

8. Choose Finish to start exporting your contacts immediately. Outlook doesn't display any message when the export process is complete but the Import and Export Progress box goes away.

   

9. Locate the new .csv file on your computer and open it with Excel to verify your contacts are there. You'll likely have a lot of empty cells. That's normal.

   

10. Generally we recommend closing the file without saving any changes; otherwise the file might get messed up and you won't be able to use it for importing. If that happens you can always run the export process again and create a new file.

    You can use Excel to update the information in your .csv file. For tips about working with a list of contacts in Excel, see Create or edit .csv files.

11. If you borrowed a friend's computer with Outlook on it, you can now remove your account from that person's version of Outlook. Here's how:

    1. In Outlook on the desktop, choose File > Account Settings > Account Settings.

    2. Choose the account you want to delete, and then choose Remove.

    3. Choose Close.

12. Now that your contacts are copied to a .csv file, you can import them to another computer with Outlook for Windows on it, or import them to another email service.

Import contacts to Outlook on the web or Outlook.com using a .csv file

Use a comma separated values file (CSV) to import your contacts into your Outlook account.

1. From the navigation bar, select  People.

2. From the ribbon, select Manage contacts > Import contacts.

    

3. Select Browse, choose your CSV file, and select Open.

4. Select Import.

Export contacts to a .csv file in Outlook on the web or Outlook.com

1. On the side panel, select .

2. From the ribbon, select Manage contacts > Export contacts.

    

3. From the dropdown, select All contacts or another option.

4. Select Export.