Best methods to import contacts from the OST file

An urgent need to import Contacts from an OST file may arise when an Exchange administrator or a user needs a prospect’s contact information stored in an ex-mailbox or an employee stored in an OST file. This article will walk you through importing your contacts from an OST file using the default technique, which is successful only when the OST file in question is connected to an Exchange account. In addition, we will discuss a method for importing contacts from OST files that are either unreachable or have been abandoned.

Let’s take a look at a few real-world examples first, since before we get into the specifics of how to import contacts from an OST file, it’s important to understand why you would need to do it in the first place.

1. Retrieving contacts from an obsolete OST file: The Exchange server has been deactivated as a consequence of the closure of an enterprise. Even though emails may be recovered from a PST file stored on local devices, the user may also want to retrieve Contacts, which are typically stored in an OST file and are easily accessible.

2. Extract the contacts from the OST file into Outlook:  The user couldn’t export their contacts beforehand since the administrator had already formatted the PC.However, a local copy of the backed-up folder in its entirety is accessible. There is an urgent requirement to import contacts as soon as possible into the email client, which is located on an Exchange server.

3. Restore Contacts from a Previously Saved OST File: An Outlook user who has previously made modifications to their contacts in Outlook now want to roll back those modifications. The data do not have a corresponding PST file. Before you save the changes permanently, you may access the backups in the form of OST, NST (an Outlook data file produced by utilising the Outlook connector for IBM Lotus Domino), and OAB (an offline address book) files.

Method 1: Import Contacts in CSV format

Note that this procedure is only successful when a regular OST file is connected with an account for either Exchange, IMAP, or Outlook. If the OST file is orphaned or unavailable, this procedure will not work. Method 2 should be used when importing contacts from an unavailable OST. Check out the latest version of Outlook. The procedures to import contacts from an OST file vary depending on the version of Outlook you are using and whether you are using Outlook on the web.

If you have access to the OST file, the following steps will help you import the data.

1. Launch Microsoft Outlook, then from the main menu, pick the File tab.

2. Select the option that says Open & Export, then select Import/Export.

3. Choose the Import from another application or file option and click the Next button.

4. Choose the Comma Separated Values (CSV) option and click Next.

5. A new Import to a file window will open. Please navigate to the location of your previously saved Contacts file, then double-click it to select it.

6. To include or exclude duplicates, choose the corresponding radio button.

7. A dialogue asking you to choose a folder for the destination will appear. Click the next button after selecting the Contacts folder.

8. If you have more than one email account, select the Contacts folder located under each email account to connect the Contacts with those accounts.

9. Click the Finish button, and shortly after that, Outlook will begin importing the Contacts from the OST file.

10. Confirm the contacts by clicking the People icon, which can be found at the bottom of the Outlook user interface.

Method 2: Import Contacts with Offline OST to PST Converter

Offline OST to PST Converter is a valuable tool for locating the OST file and importing the contacts present inside the file. The following is a list of the procedures that need to be followed for the program to import all of the contacts, regardless of the accessibility of the OST file:

1. Download Offline OST to PST Converterhttps://www.osttopst.online/offline-ost-to-pst-converter.html and Run the program. The tool will offer several possible locations for those who don’t know where the OST file is.  If you the exact location of the OST file, you may Drag & Drop it into the Search bar. To find the OST file, click the Search for .pst & .ost files button.

2. Specify the disk and click Search Now

3. The program will provide three modes: the Recovery mode, the Converter mode, and the Scan for deleted data. Choose the Converter mode.

4. The program shows a glimpse of the complete OST file contents once it completes converting. Navigate to the Contacts folder, Choose and Check it, and then click Next button.

5. Choose the file type and location where you want to store the Contacts folder. The chosen Outlook data is stored in the place you will specify and click Next.

6. Choose Save data separately andСlick Next.

7. Choose the type of saved Contacts as VSF or MSG files and click Save.

8. Congratulations! You have retrieved your Contacts and may access them on your PC locally.

9. Now you can Copy & Paste these contacts into any mail program, including Microsoft Outlook.

Conclusion

Many users get frustrated when they attempt to import contacts from an OST file. The problem arises when they discover that an OST file is either orphaned or unavailable. Using Offline OST to PST Converter makes the import of contacts possible even if the contacts are orphaned, unavailable, or encrypted in their current condition. The recovered contacts can be universally used in any program, since VCF is the default format for exchanging contacts.