Export contacts from Outlook for Windows
When you export your contacts from Outlook for Windows, a copy of your contacts is saved to a CSV file, or other file type. You can then use this file to import your contacts to another email account.
If you're not on Outlook for Windows, check which Outlook version you're on, and then choose one of these options to export contacts:
Important: Steps may be different between the new and classic Outlook for Windows. To determine which version of Outlook you're using, check if there's a File option in the menu (located above the ribbon). If there's no File option, follow the steps under the New Outlook tab. If File appears in the menu, select the tab for Classic Outlook.
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On the left navigation bar, select People.
Note: If you don't have People 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.
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On the Home tab, select
Manage contacts, then Export Contacts. -
Under Contacts from this folder, choose an option, then select Export.
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The exported .CSV file is saved to your Downloads folder.
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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.
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Choose Open & Export > Import/Export.
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Choose Export to a file.
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Choose Comma Separated Values.
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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.
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Choose Browse, name your file, and choose OK.
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Confirm where your new contacts file will be saved on your computer, and choose Next.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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:
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In Outlook on the desktop, choose File > Account Settings > Account Settings.
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Choose the account you want to delete, and then choose Remove.
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Choose Close.
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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.
See Also
Export items to an archive file in Outlook for Mac
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