Bring Email, Contacts and Calendar Into Outlook From a .pst File

What is a .pst file?

PST stands for Personal Storage Table. It is a single file that holds emails, contacts and calendar items. Think of it as a box with your old mail folders inside. You can make one as a backup, or to move your data to a new computer.

Before you start

• Copy the .pst file to your computer, for example to the Documents folder.
• Close other programs that use the file.
• Keep the original .pst file safe. Do not delete it until you have checked the import.

  

Steps

1. Open Outlook.
2. Click File.
3. Click Open & Export. In older versions this is Open.
4. Click Import/Export.

   

5. Choose Import from another program or file. Click Next.

   

6. Choose Outlook Data File (.pst). Click Next.

   

7. Click Browse and find your .pst file.
8. Pick how to handle duplicates. Do not import duplicates is the safest choice.
9. Click Next.
10. If the file has a password, type it.
11. Choose the folder to import. Select the top level to import everything. Keep Include subfolders ticked.
12. Choose to import into the current folder, or into the same folders in your mailbox.
13. Click Finish.

Large files can take many minutes. Wait until the progress window closes.

Check your data

1. Open the Mail view and look through your folders.
2. Click the People or Contacts icon and check your contacts.
3. Click the Calendar icon and check your dates.

Another way: open the file without importing

1. Click File, then Open & Export, then Open Outlook Data File.
2. Pick the .pst file.
3. It shows as a new folder list on the left side.

You can drag items from there into your own folders.

Quick recap

• A .pst file stores mail, contacts and calendar.

  

• Use File, Open & Export, Import/Export.
• Choose Outlook Data File (.pst) and follow the wizard.

  

• Check mail, contacts and calendar afterwards.