As an individual who heavily relies on Microsoft Outlook to organize my contacts, there have been instances where I have needed to export my contacts for different reasons. Whether it be for backup purposes, transitioning to a new device, or sharing with others, knowing how to export contacts in Outlook is a useful skill. This article will walk you through a step-by-step guide on how to export your Outlook contacts.
Step 1: Launch Microsoft Outlook
The first step is to open Microsoft Outlook on your computer. Make sure you have the latest version installed to ensure compatibility and access to all the features.
Step 2: Navigate to the Contacts
In the navigation pane on the left-hand side of the Outlook window, click on the “People” or “Contacts” tab. This will open the Contacts view, where you can see all your saved contacts.
Step 3: Select the Contacts to Export
Next, select the contacts you want to export. You can select multiple contacts by holding down the Ctrl key while clicking on each contact. If you want to export all the contacts, you can skip this step.
Step 4: Click on “File” and then “Open & Export”
At the top left corner of the Outlook window, click on the “File” tab. In the dropdown menu, select “Open & Export”. This will open a submenu with various options.
Step 5: Choose “Import/Export”
In the “Open & Export” submenu, select “Import/Export”. This will open the Import and Export Wizard, which will guide you through the rest of the process.
Step 6: Select “Export to a file”
In the Import and Export Wizard, select “Export to a file” and click on “Next”. This will prompt you to choose the file type for the export.
Step 7: Choose “Microsoft Excel” or “Comma Separated Values”
Depending on your preferences and the software you have available, you can choose either “Microsoft Excel” or “Comma Separated Values” (CSV) as the file type for the export. Microsoft Excel will create a spreadsheet file with all the contact details, while CSV will create a plain text file with comma-separated values.
Step 8: Select the Contacts Folder to Export
After choosing the file type, you will be prompted to select the contacts folder you want to export. By default, the selected folder will be “Contacts”, but you can choose a different folder if you have organized your contacts into multiple folders.
Step 9: Choose the Destination for the Exported File
Next, choose the destination where you want to save the exported file. You can select any location on your computer or an external storage device. Make sure to choose a location that is easily accessible and memorable.
Step 10: Complete the Export Process
Review the export settings on the final page of the wizard and make any necessary changes. Once you are satisfied with the settings, click on “Finish” to begin the export process. Outlook will start exporting your selected contacts to the specified file format and save it to the chosen destination.
Conclusion
Exporting Outlook contacts can be a straightforward process with the right guidance. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can quickly and efficiently export your contacts for backup, transfer, or sharing purposes. Remember to choose the appropriate file type and destination for your needs. Happy exporting!