How to Export Contacts from Outlook on Mac: 2 Solutions

This post covers two ways to export contacts from Outlook on Mac, and offers you a free way to transfer exported Outlook contacts from Mac to external disk and other devices easily.

By @Jonna Last Updated July 16, 2024

Can You Export Contacts from Outlook on Mac?

Hi, I'm looking to export my contacts from Outlook for Mac so that I can upload them in other locations. How do you export Outlook contacts on Mac? THANK YOU SO MUCH!!

Yes, you can export contacts from Outlook on Mac. Microsoft provides several ways to ensure that your valuable contact information can be safely and efficiently transferred. On this page, we will share 2 methods with you to help you export your contacts from Outlook on Mac smoothly.

Necessity of Exporting Contacts from Outlook

Exporting Outlook contacts from Mac is important for several reasons:

🧡Data backup: Regularly exporting your contacts creates a backup that can be invaluable in case of data loss or corruption. 💛File migration: When switching to a new email service or device, exporting contacts facilitates the smooth transfer of all your contact information. 💚Data sharing: Exporting contacts allows you to share your contact list with colleagues, friends, or family members easily. 💙Easy management: It provides a way to organize and manage your contacts, ensuring that you can access and update them as needed.

How to Export Contacts from Outlook on Mac in 2 Ways

There are two primary methods to export contacts from Outlook on Mac: using the desktop app and through the Outlook web interface. Each method offers a straightforward process to ensure your contacts are exported efficiently.

Method 1. Export Contacts in Outlook with Desktop App

Using the Outlook desktop app is a common and efficient way to export your contacts. Here is how you can do it to export contacts from Outlook on Mac:

Step 1. Open and run Outlook for Mac, and click File > Export in the top left corner.

Step 2. On the Export to Archive File (.olm) screen, tick Contacts, and click on Continue.

Step 3. Choose where you want to save the exported file and tap on Save.

Note: In this way, you will export Outlook contacts in an OLM file. If you want to export contacts from Outlook in Mac to CSV, you could convert an OLM file to CSV format using Microsoft Outlook as well by opening Outlook on your Mac > clicking on the File tab > going to Open and Export > choosing Export to a File and then selecting Comma Separated Value (CSV) file format. Then, go on to specify a desired path to store the file.

Method 2. Export Contacts from Outlook Web

If you have not installed desktop Outlook for Mac, you could use it via a web browser for contact export.

Step 1. Sign in to Outlook.com with your credential, and select the People icon at the bottom left corner to go to the People page.

Step 2. Then, choose Manage and then Export contacts.

Step 3. Choose to export all contacts or only selected ones, and click Export.

Step 4. Click Save to get a .csv file containing your contacts in your default Downloads folder.

If you want to import contacts to Outlook on Mac, you should choose the import option on Outlook for Mac or its web version for file transfer.

Free Way to Transfer Outlook Contacts from Mac to External Drive

Exporting contacts is simple with the guidelines above, and it is recommended to transfer them to an external drive for backup can further enhance data security and accessibility. AOMEI Backupper Mac is an excellent tool for this purpose, offering robust features and an easy-to-use interface.

AOMEI Backupper Mac
Easy and Free Mac File Sync Software
  • It allows you to move files from Mac to an external hard drive, network drive, or NAS, and transfer files from Mac to Mac with simple clicks.
  • It offers Scheduled Sync with 5 modes: Once, Hourly, Daily, Weekly, and Monthly, to help you automate the file transfer process, eliminating the need for manual intervention.
  • It provides 3 sync modes - Basic Sync, Mirror Sync, and Two-Way Sync, to sync data from Mac to other devices flexibly according to your needs.

You could download and run this software, click on New Task > choose your needed sync mode, select the Outlook contacts you want to sync, then choose a sync destination location to transfer them from Mac to external disk or other storage media with ease.

FAQs about Outlook Contact Export on Mac

#1. Why is my Outlook Mac Export greyed out?

The export option in Outlook for Mac may be greyed out due to various reasons, for example:

  • Permission issues: Ensure you have the necessary permissions to export data.
  • Outdated software: Update Outlook to the latest version to resolve any compatibility issues.
  • Application glitches: Restart Outlook or your Mac to refresh the application.

#2. How to create a CSV file from Outlook contacts on Mac?

To create a CSV file from your Outlook contacts on Mac, you could rely on Outlook for Mac to export contacts as an OLM file first, and then convert it to CSV following the guide foregoing. Or, you could use the Outlook for web to export Outlook contacts as CSV directly.

#3. Can you export a contact list from Outlook to Excel?

Yes, you can export Outlook contacts to Excel from Mac by first exporting the contacts to a .csv file and then opening this file in Excel. Here’s how:

  • Export contacts: Follow the export steps mentioned earlier to create a .csv file.
  • Open in Excel: Launch Excel and open the .csv file. Your contacts will be displayed in a spreadsheet format, allowing you to edit and manage them as needed.

In the End

Exporting contacts from Outlook on Mac can ensure your valuable contact information is always safe, accessible, and ready for use across different platforms and devices.

Whether you use the desktop app or the web interface, the methods outlined in this guide provide reliable solutions for exporting your contacts. Additionally, using tools like AOMEI Backupper Mac to transfer these contacts to an external drive adds an extra layer of security and convenience.