How to Export Contacts from Outlook

This wikiHow teaches you how to download a file copy of your Outlook contacts. You can do this from the Outlook email website, or from within the Microsoft Outlook program.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

On Outlook.com

  1. Image titled Export Contacts from Outlook Step 1
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    Open Outlook. Go to https://www.outlook.com/ in your preferred web browser. This will open your Outlook inbox if you're already signed into Outlook.
    • If you aren't signed into Outlook, enter your Microsoft email address (or phone number) and password to log in.
  2. Image titled Export Contacts from Outlook Step 2
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    Click the "People" icon. It's the icon resembling two silhouettes in the lower-left corner of the Outlook webpage. Doing so opens your Outlook Contacts page.
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  3. Image titled Export Contacts from Outlook Step 3
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    Click Manage. This tab is near the top of the page.
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    Click Export contacts. It's in the Manage drop-down menu.
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    Check the "All contacts" option. Click the circle to the left of "All contacts" in the right-hand side of the page, beneath the "Which contacts do you want to export?" heading.
    • If you see more than one file format under the "Select a format to export" heading, you can select your preferred file format as well.
  6. Image titled Export Contacts from Outlook Step 6
    6
    Click Export. It's at the top of the "Export contacts" sidebar. Doing so will prompt your contacts file to begin downloading to your computer.
    • You may have to confirm the download or select a save location for it.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

On Windows Desktop

  1. Image titled Export Contacts from Outlook Step 7
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    Open Outlook. Double-click the Outlook icon, which resembles a blue and white envelope with a white "O" on it.
  2. Image titled Export Contacts from Outlook Step 8
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    Click File. It's in the upper-left corner of the Outlook window. Doing so prompts a pop-out menu.
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    Click Open & Export. This tab is near the top of the File menu.
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    Click Import/Export. You'll see this option beneath the "Open" heading on the right side of the page.
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    Select Export to a file. Near the top of the box that's in the middle of the Import and Export Wizard window, click Export to a file.
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    Click Next. It's at the bottom of the window.
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    Click Comma Separated Values, then click Next. This will take you to the folder selection page.[1]
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    Select the "Contacts" folder, then click Next. Click the "Contacts" folder in the "Select folder to export from" window. You may need to scroll up to find this option.
    • Make sure this is the "Contacts" folder below your Outlook account name.
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    Click Browse. This is next to the current file destination. Doing so opens a window.
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    Enter your file's name, then click OK. This will take you to the next page.
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    11
    Select an export destination, then click Next. Click a folder in which you want to save your contacts. The desktop is usually a good place if you plan on uploading the contacts to another service immediately after you export them.
  12. Image titled Export Contacts from Outlook Step 18
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    Click Finish. It's at the bottom of the window. Your contacts will begin exporting; when they finish, the progress window will close.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

On Mac

  1. Image titled Export Contacts from Outlook Step 19
    1
    Open Outlook. Double-click the Outlook icon, which resembles a blue and white envelope with a white "O" on it.
  2. Image titled Export Contacts from Outlook Step 20
    2
    Click File. This is the File menu item in the top-left corner of your Mac's screen.
  3. Image titled Export Contacts from Outlook Step 21
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    Click Export.
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    Uncheck everything except "Contacts" and click Continue.
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    Select a location to save the contacts and click Save.
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    Click Finish. It's at the bottom of the window. Your contacts will begin exporting; when they finish, the progress window will close.
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Community Q&A

  • Question
    How can I transfer my email contacts to my mobile phone and tablet?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    You can just synchronize your email ID with your phone/tablet via the email service (like Mail on the iPhone/iPad). This will allow you to access both your mail and mail contacts on your other devices.
  • Question
    I don't want to have a password, but if I don't create one, the file will not save. How do I fix this?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Try to back up the file somewhere else. If that is not possible, then there isn't anything to do but make a password.
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Warnings

  • While you technically can open the contacts file, doing so may disrupt the contacts' information, which will cause them to upload erroneously.
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽
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References

  1. ↑ https://support.office.com/en-us/article/Export-contacts-from-Outlook-10f09abd-643c-4495-bb80-543714eca73f

About This Article

Jack Lloyd
Written by:
Jack Lloyd
wikiHow Technology Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Jack Lloyd. Jack Lloyd is a Technology Writer and Editor for wikiHow. He has over two years of experience writing and editing technology-related articles. He is technology enthusiast and an English teacher. This article has been viewed 664,738 times.
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Co-authors: 18
Updated: January 24, 2023
Views: 664,738
Categories: Outlook
Article SummaryX

1. Go to https://www.outlook.com/
2. Click the People Icon.
3. Click Manage.
4. Click Export Contacts.
5. Check All Contacts.
6. Click Export.

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