In today’s world, managing contacts across multiple platforms is a common challenge. Whether you use Outlook for work and Gmail for personal emails or need to sync your contacts between platforms, transferring contact information can seem complicated. However, Export Outlook contacts to Google CSV file is a simple process that allows you to seamlessly integrate your contacts into Gmail.
This blog post will walk you through the easy steps to convert Outlook contact file to CSV and get your Gmail account synced effortlessly.
Why You Should Export Outlook Contacts to Google CSV?
Before diving into the steps, let’s first understand why exporting Outlook contacts to Google CSV is beneficial.
- Centralized Contact Management: Gmail is a powerful email platform with excellent integration with other Google services. By transferring your Outlook contacts to Gmail, you can manage all your communications, tasks, and events in one place, making it easier to stay organized.
- Cross-Platform Syncing: If you use Gmail on multiple devices (Android, iOS, and web), syncing your contacts ensures they’re readily available wherever you are. A smooth integration between Outlook and Gmail simplifies this process.
- Backup and Accessibility: Google offers a reliable cloud backup, which can ensure your contacts are safe. Syncing them with Gmail means you don’t have to worry about losing important information, as your contacts will always be stored securely in Google’s cloud.
Manual Guide to Export Outlook Contacts to Google CSV
Now, let’s walk through the process of exporting your Outlook contacts to a Google CSV file, making sure your contacts are ready for Gmail integration.
Step 1: Open Microsoft Outlook
Start by launching your Microsoft Outlook application on your computer. If you’re using the web-based Outlook.com, you can perform the export process online as well.
Step 2: Go to the Contacts Section
- In Outlook, locate and click on the People icon or the Contacts tab, depending on the version of Outlook you are using.
- This section will display all of your contacts, organized by their categories or lists.
Step 3: Export Your Contacts
Once you’re in the Contacts section, the next task is to export them to a CSV file.
For Outlook Desktop Application:
- Hit on the File in the upper left corner of Outlook.
- Select Open & Export from the options in the menu.
- Choose Import/Export from the list of options.
- In the Import & Export application, tick the Export to a file and click Next.
- Choose Microsoft Excel or Comma Separated Values (CSV) from the available options and click Next.
- Select Contacts (or the specific contacts folder you want to export) and click Next.
- Choose a location to save the file and give the exported file a name.
- Click Finish to start the export process. This may take some time, depending on the size of your contact list.
For Outlook.com (Web):
- Click on Outlook.com and log into your account.
- Click the People icon (Contacts) on the left panel.
- In the Contacts section, look for the Manage drop-down menu, usually at the top right.
- Click Export from the drop-down menu.
- Choose the All Contacts option to export all contacts.
- Select CSV format (for Google), then click Export to begin the download.
Step 4: Prepare the CSV File for Google
Once the CSV file is downloaded, it might still require some minor tweaks to ensure it’s formatted correctly for Google Contacts. While the Outlook export process creates a standard CSV file, Google Contacts often needs specific fields (like First Name, Last Name, Email Address) to be labeled in a way that it can recognize.
To make sure everything is aligned:
- Open your CSV file in a spreadsheet program like MS Excel or Google Sheets.
- Ensure the columns match the required fields for Google Contacts:
- First Name
- Last Name
- Email Address
- Phone Number
- Address
- You may need to adjust or rearrange column headers to match Google’s standard format. Google’s format typically includes columns like “Given Name,” “Family Name,” and “Primary Email Address.”
Once the columns are properly formatted, save the CSV file again. You are now ready to import the contacts to Google.
Step 5: Import Contacts to Google Gmail
The final step in this process is to upload your newly created Google CSV file to Gmail. Follow these steps:
- Strat the Gmail account in any web browser.
- In the upper right corner of Gmail, click on the Google Apps grid (9 dots) and select Contacts.
- In Google Contacts, click on the Import option found on the left sidebar under the “More” menu.
- A prompt will appear asking you to select File. Click on it and locate the CSV file you just saved.
- Select the file and click Import.
- Google will upload your contacts, and they should appear in your Google Contacts shortly.
Step 6: Verify Your Contacts in Gmail
After importing, it’s a good idea to double-check that all of your contacts have been correctly added to Gmail. To do this:
- Go to Google Contacts.
- Browse through your contacts to ensure everything is intact, including email addresses, phone numbers, and other details.
- If any contacts are missing or incorrectly formatted, you can manually adjust them by clicking on each contact and editing the details.
Expert Solution to Export Outlook Contacts to Google CSV
Managing contacts across different platforms can be a challenge, but with the PCVITA Outlook to vCard Export Tool, you can easily export your Outlook contacts to a Google CSV file for smooth integration with Gmail. The tool ensures a hassle-free transfer of contacts while maintaining their structure and data.
Here’s How to Do It:
- Download and install the vCard Exporter tool.
- click on Add File/Folder to Upload your Outlook contacts. The tool will automatically detect all the available Outlook data.
- Choose the Google CSV format as your desired output from the list of supported formats.
- The tool provides advanced options to filter specific contacts, adjust field mapping, and ensure the export is tailored to your needs.
- Once the settings are configured, click Export. The tool will quickly convert your Outlook contacts into a CSV file compatible with Google.
- Finally, upload the CSV file to Google Contacts, and your Outlook contacts will sync seamlessly with Gmail.
Additional Tips for a Smooth Contact Sync
- Check Duplicate Contacts: Before importing contacts into Gmail, ensure there are no duplicates in your Outlook contacts. Gmail automatically merges duplicate contacts, but it’s good practice to clean up your list beforehand.
- Sync With Your Mobile Device: Once your contacts are in Gmail, they will automatically sync with any Android or iOS device connected to the same Google account, ensuring your contacts are always accessible.
- Google Contacts App: If you prefer managing contacts on mobile, download and use the Google Contacts app. This app lets you edit and organize your contacts with ease.
Conclusion
Exporting Outlook contacts to Google CSV and importing them into Gmail is an easy and efficient way to keep all your contacts in one place, ensuring smooth email communication across platforms. With this process, you can maintain organized and synced contact lists whether you’re using Gmail for personal purposes or Outlook for professional tasks.
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Read More: How to Convert VCF Contacts to CSV File?