How to Import Outlook for Mac OLM File into Outlook for Windows?

MS Outlook is a Windows and Mac email client, but both platforms save mailboxes data with different file formats. In the case of Mac OS, Outlook data is saved in OLM files, whereas on Windows, it is saved in PST format. In this case, there are a variety of reasons why users might want to import Outlook for Mac OLM file into Outlook for Windows. 

The OLM file extension is only available in Outlook for Mac. OLM files were introduced with Outlook 2011 for Mac. It serves the same purpose and is used in the same way as MS Outlook PST files on Microsoft Windows. It implies that Mac Outlook saves all data contained in mailboxes such as Inbox, Calendars, Address Books, and many others. If the OLM file is only compatible with the Mac operating system, it will not open in Windows Outlook. 

If a user has recently switched from the Mac platform to a Windows-based system, he or she will encounter numerous problems when accessing his or her mailbox data saved in the OLM file using Outlook’s Windows version. 

The user must convert the OLM file to PST format and then import the PST file to Microsoft Outlook.

Smart Way to Import Outlook for Mac OLM file into Outlook for Windows 

Manually performing this task can appear confusing for any non-tech user. Their security is put at risk if one misleads causes data loss.

The Mac Outlook to Windows Outlook is the most efficient utility out there. This software is a good choice when migrating to Outlook PST files that contain all emails and the email components such as Inbox, Address books, Calendars, To-do tasks, and Notes. It includes an easy-to-use option for saving emails in over 11 formats.

Note: If you are a Windows user, then use Softwarepro OLM to PST Converter

Manually Import Outlook for Mac OLM File into Outlook for Windows

Users must first locate the entire physical Mac OLM file on their computer. When an OLM file is created, it is stored in either of the following two system locations by default: 

 Documents\Microsoft User Data\Office 2011 Identities\Main Identity\Databases

  or

Documents\Microsoft User Data\ MS Office 2011 Identities\Main Identity\Data-Records\Message 

Although a user may successfully navigate to the hard drive locations listed above, in many cases, he or she may not be able to physically locate the files in question. To gain access to these files, users must recreate them by storing mailbox data in the Mac OLM format once more.

See below for the steps by which it can be completed:

1. Select File Option -> Next, Select Export from the drive where the OLM files are stored, and then press Enter. It starts the creation of a new Export window.
2. Select the data that has been previewed at a specific location.
3. It provides users with a new option, namely, the ability to delete items after they have been exported. Select I do not want to remove the item from my shopping cart.
4. Then select the Save As option and specify the location where the OLM files will be stored.
5. Select the Save option to save the OLM files to your computer.

The above steps will create OLM files. To import Outlook for Mac OLM file into Outlook for Windows, you need to create follow the steps outlined below:

Step 1: Sign up for a Gmail account (or any other IMAP server). If you have one, go to step 2. 

Step 2: Configure Outlook on a Mac using Gmail 

1. Click the “Tools” menu and select “Accounts”
2. Select the + button to the left of the Accounts window to add a new account.
3. Choose the “Mail” field.
4. All credentials like the email ID, password, and user name for the Gmail account.
5. Select the incoming IMAP server.
6. Choose to use SSL
7. Enter smtp.gmail.com as the Outgoing Server
8. Select both of the outgoing server options.
9. Enter “Outgoing port” as “port no.- 465” and then click “Add an account”.
10. The “Connected” message appears on the left side of the pane. When the password keyed-in is correct, the connection is established.

Step 3: Transferring Outlook data to Gmail 

1. When you first right-click on the migrated mailbox folder, choose Copy.
2. Select a destination folder in Gmail.
3. The bottom of the screen’s search bar shows message uploading.
4. After uploading, reload Gmail

 Step 4: Set up Gmail in Windows Outlook

Now, the next step in the process to import Outlook for Mac OLM file into Outlook for Windows is to configure this IMAP account with Outlook for Windows:

1.  File >> Info >> Account Settings.
2. Select “New Icon” in the current window.
3. Specify additional server types:
4. Finally, check your e-mail.
5. Type in your email address, password, and user name.
6. Select account type as IMAP.
7. Incoming mail server: imap.gmail.com
8. Enter smtp.gmail.com as the Outgoing Server
9. Choose More Settings.
10. Outgoing server: Select my outgoing server in the Outgoing Server tab.
11. Enter the Incoming Server Port on the Advanced tab as 993
12. Choose the SSL encryption type:
13. Enter 465 as the Outgoing Server Port and click on the OK button.
14. Finish, and then select the Test Account Settings.

Step 5: Transferring mailbox data from Gmail to Microsoft Windows Outlook

1. Go to Gmail, select the Settings button.
2. Select POP/IMAP selection.
3. Set IMAP option to “Enabled”.
4. If necessary, turn on the Auto-Expunge feature.
5. If a user wishes to keep a copy of the messages, the Archive option should be enabled.
6. Press the Save button.
7. Open Microsoft Outlook and select the Send/Receive message option.

Users can easily access MS Outlook for Mac emails with this option.

Related: Move Emails from One Office 365 Account

Summing it up

From the entire blog, the user can now see the conversion of .olm to .pst and performs it as well, because of that. OLM to PST Export Process steps is easily followed by the end-users. But, on the other hand, it may also result in corruption and data loss if any step is skipped. Thus, attempting a tried-and-true approach to import Outlook for Mac OLM file into Outlook for Windows should be attempted.