How to Import Contacts to Outlook from CSV, Excel, vCard, PST, and More

Keeping all contacts in one database can be difficult, with people having many active accounts simultaneously. But it is possible to import CSV contacts to Outlook and other such types of compiled contact lists easily.

Different methods are available to import contacts to Outlook from Excel, CSV, PST, and vCard file formats, among many others. Here, we discuss the best tactics to carry out these conversions. Read ahead if you are interested to know.

Part 1: Import Contacts to Outlook from an Excel Spreadsheet

Many users keep their personal and/or business information on their computers as a spreadsheet file. People can use this platform to directly import the contacts list into the Outlook 2013 program and Outlook 2018.

However, the software does not accept full Excel workbooks with many pages. Instead, you must first convert it to a CSV file and import contacts from CSV to Outlook.

If you are wondering how to import email addresses from excel to Outlook, the steps are mentioned here.

How to do this?

Step 1: In Excel, click your cursor on the worksheet with all contacts.

Step 2: Hit File > Save as.

Step 3: Decide the file-saving location. Also, choose the "CSV (Comma delimited) (*.csv)" file under the "Save as Type" dialog box. Press the Save button.

Step 4: A dialog box will explain file compatibility details. Press OK.

Step 5: Choose "Yes" to save your current worksheet as a CSV file from XSLX format.

Step 6: Open the Outlook program, and click on the File tab from the top ribbon section.

Step 7: Click on Open & Export > Import/Export.

Step 8: On the next window, select "Import from another program or file"> Next.

Step 9: Select Comma Separated Values in the next choice, and click on the Next button again. Browse to find the file you will import.

Step 10: In the Options menu, choose between importing duplicates, creating duplicates, or replacing duplicates.

Step 11: Press the Next button and decide on the destination folder. You will see Contacts as a default choice; keep it or change it to a new/another folder. Hit Next again.

Step 12: Click the checkbox beside "Import *your CSV file name*".

Step 13: After this, choose the Map Custom Fields icon with 'From', 'To', 'First Name', 'Name', 'Last Name', and other elements.

Step 14: Do some manual work for mapping. Like, on the right pane, scroll down to find Other Address. Then, click the (+) sign beside it to expand the box and choose the right type.

Step 15: Drag the Cell Ph choice on the left pane, drop it in on the right pane choice, and then do the same for all values, dragging them to the relevant Outlook fields on the right-hand pane.

Step 16: Press the Finish button to import all emails from excel to Outlook. To see the contacts, click on the People icon at the lower end of the navigation bar.

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Part 2: Import CSV Contacts to Outlook

Users can create an Outlook CSV format file for their saved contacts list in some different spreadsheet or database programs. While preparing this file, you should check the solution's suitable headers.

It is not crucial to align them perfectly with the Outlook address book. Just import CSV to Outlook without issues and manually map the columns into fields.

How to do this?

Step 1: At the top section of the Outlook program ribbon bar, click on the File tab.

Step 2: Click on Open & Export > Import/Export.

Step 3: In the Import and Export Wizard, choose the "Import from another program or file" option from the list and click Next.

Step 4: Under the next "Export to a File" box, select the "Command Separated Values" option > Next.

Step 5: Under the next dialog box, find your CSV file and double-click on it to select it.

Step 6: In the "Import a File" box, choose between one of three:

• Replace duplicates with items imported
• Do not import duplicate items
• Allow duplicates to be created

Hit Next.

Step 7: Choose the Contacts folder > Next on the next screen.

Step 8: Press the Finish button.

Part 3: Import Contacts to Outlook from the vCard File

For iPhone users, the best format to import contacts Outlook 2010 or newer versions is the vCard file format. You can import them easily into Outlook program with the pre-set import/export features one by one or multiple contacts however.

Solution 1: Import Single Contact VCF files into Outlook.

Directly use your email to import the VCF files into your Outlook account. The steps for this are simple, but can take slightly longer when you repeat the steps for all files one by one.

How to do this?

Step 1: On your email message body, choose the vCard file. Right-click on it and then choose the "Add to Outlook Contact" option.

Step 2: Under the Contacts section, press the "Save & Close" button.

Solution 2: Import VCF files with Multiple Contacts into Outlook

By default, you cannot import more than one contacts in a vcf file format to import into the Outlook account. However, you have to convert the VCF file into CSV format, and then CSV to Outlook.

How to do this?

Step 1: Import the VCF file to Gmail and then export these contacts into a Outlook CSV file.

Step 2: Open your Outlook and go to Contacts > Manage Contacts > Import and Export Contacts.

Step 3: Import as CSV files.

Part 4: Copy Contacts from PST File to Outlook

Just like you can copy email addresses from excel to Outlook, it is possible to do the same for PST files and send them to Outlook. The software support PST or Personal Storage Table format. This is a specialized file type that users of Exchange Client, Outlook, and Microsoft can use to store data.

This format type is better suited for people moving their contacts from one computer into another system or from their first Outlook account to the next. Plus, in this format type, users can transfer other data types like tasks, appointments, and emails when they import contact group Outlook.

How to do this?

Step 1: Open Outlook. Click on the File tab > Open & Export > Import/Export.

Step 2: Select the "Import from another program or file" choice and hit the Next button.

Step 3: On the next page, select "Outlook Data File (.pst)"> Next.

Step 4: Click your cursor on "Browse" in the next window, and select the .pst file you will import.

Step 5: Choose your preferred action with the duplicate items in the Options menu options. Press Next.

Step 6: For protected .pst files, follow all steps carefully to import them without errors.

For example, select "Import items into the same folder in"> select the Outlook Data File/mailbox destination.

Click on Finish.

Part 5: Move Contact List from CSV to Outlook.com

When it comes to the question of how to import contact list to Outlook, some users can confuse it with Outlook.com. However, besides their names and relevance with email, both are highly different.

Outlook is a software-based email program that comes under Microsoft Office products and needs to be installed in the system. Users can extend the program with macros and add-ons, and it holds functional features like a to-do list, calendar, etc.

On the other hand, Outlook.com is a website that provides email service and requires users to access it through web browsers. You can create personalized email accounts and add other Microsoft-centric email accounts. Like copying email addresses from excel to Outlook, you can save CSV contact files into the email website version.

How to do this?

Step 1: Choose the people icon in the lower section of the Outlook.com account page.

Step 2: Under the People page, choose Manage > Import Contacts.

Step 3: Click on the Browse button to select your CSV file.

Step 4: Press Open > Import.

Bonus: Export Contacts from Your Phone to Outlook Quickly

While all the processes mentioned above are helpful for importing contacts into Outlook, the processes can get complicated. Instead, you can use MobileTrans software as a comprehensive solution to export all phone contacts to Outlook.

You can install it for free on Windows PC and Export contacts from your connected phone device to the system. It also allows other benefits, like merging contacts, importing files in different formats, and backup/restoring contact data of users.

To note, the software allows users to export their files in vCard, CSV, Outlook, and Microsoft Address Book routes. So, carry out the process as per your needs. Here, we discuss the process of doing this specifically for Outlook.

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How to do this?

Step 1: Install and launch the MobileTrans app on your PC.

Step 2: Click on the More tab and choose Contact Management.

Step 3: Connect your phone to the PC using a USB cable. The software would detect all saved contacts.

Step 4: When all contacts appear in list form, choose all or selected contacts. Press the Import/Export button.

Step 5: Choose Outlook, and the software will import contacts to Outlook.

Conclusion

You can import contacts to Outlook using different methods, including transferring them as CSV or PST files, Excel files, or through Outlook.com. Some options, like Outlook.com, accept CSV format only, so make the conversion first, if necessary. Or, for easier transfer, use the MobileTrans software to move all contacts to Outlook directly from your phone device.

Ultimately, follow the method you want to try out based on which suits you best.

MobileTrans - Contact Management

Easily import contacts from VCF or CSV files to your mobile devices. Merge duplicate contacts in one click.

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Axel Nash

staff Editor