Problems backing up email

Question

Hello,
I have attempt several ways to backup my email to my computer, without success. I am using a MacBook, have purchased Office 365 and everything is up to date. I can only export files in the old version of Outlook. When I exported files, I was unable to save them as anything other than .olm files (I want to save them as .pst files). The .olm files were not possible to open, and when I imported them back into Outlook, the file "On my Computer" was empty. I don't know what to try next. I am trying to save 78 specific emails, and when I tried forwarding them all, my account was blocked. I still have 40 left to forward. I need to backup these emails soon because my school account is going to be deleter in about 2 weeks after graduation. Thank you for your help!!

Answer 1

Dear AmandaKO88,

Good day! Thank you for posting to Microsoft Community.

Firstly, exporting files to local .PST file isn’t supported by Outlook for Mac, we can only export data to local .oml files through the legacy Outlook version.

Regarding “On My Computer” was empty and .olm files weren’t possible to open, to further check it, may I confirm:

1. All these happen in the new Outlook for Mac, or still in the old or legacy Outlook? Please be kindly noted that currently “On My Computer” folder (Feature ID: 88536) and Export/Import of .olm files aren’t supported by the new Outlook for Mac, but will come soon later this year. Here’s more information regarding known issue in new Outlook: The new Outlook for Mac. And here’s roadmap: Microsoft 365 roadmap. At present, to access the backup files, we recommend you use the legacy version as a temporary workaround.
2. If these occurs in the old version of Outlook, please check updates for Outlook for Mac, power off the device, start device and launch Outlook again to test. If issue continues, you can share the full version number of Outlook as well as one screenshot of issue symptom with us for checking (For screenshot may include personal information, such as email address, to protect your privacy, please remove personal information before sharing).

Regarding the scenario that account is blocked, this can be related with mail service limits and policies. For example, one scenario is: Exchange Online has sending/receiving limits and outbound spam policies, if user exceeds one of limits as specified in above 2 places, user’s account is blocked from sending. In this situation, user needs to contact admin to unblock account from restricted user portal. To better understand your scenario, may I know:

1. The type of your account. Whether your account is Microsoft 365 Business account (if you aren’t sure, you can confirm if the weblink of mail web version is https://outlook.office.com  )
2. Please sign in mail web version to check if you can forward emails.
3. One screenshot of error or warnings it generated.

We look forward to your reply.

Sincerely,

Etta Ma MSFT | Microsoft Community Moderator