How to export contacts to gmail

Question

I have read the microsoft support instructions, but the menu they show (click on file, click on options, click on advanced, click on export) does not match my screen. When I click on 'file' I get an option to export, but then it only allows me to export to a PST file.

Answer 1

Hi Craig Godshall

I'm glad to help you today. I understand it can be frustrating when the interface you see doesn't match the documentation. The "File > Open & Export" workflow you mentioned is specific to the Classic Outlook desktop application, whereas the New Outlook for Windows has a streamlined process located within the People (Contacts) module.

In the New Outlook, the export function is no longer tucked away in the File menu; instead, it's found directly where you manage your contacts. Please follow these steps:

1. Open the New Outlook and select the People icon on the left-hand navigation bar (it looks like two silhouettes).
2. In the left pane, select All contacts or the specific folder you wish to export.
3. On the top ribbon/toolbar, click the Manage contacts dropdown menu.
4. Select Export contacts.
5. Click Export. This will generate a .csv file (Comma Separated Values) rather than a .pst file.

Please feel free to let me know how it goes so I can guide you further. Thank you for your time and understanding.

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Answer 2

New Outlook for Windows does not yet expose the classic “Import and Export Wizard” path described in the support article. That wizard (File → Options → Advanced → Export → “Export to a file” → “Comma Separated Values”) is only available in the classic desktop Outlook.

To export contacts to Gmail in the way the Microsoft instructions describe, use classic Outlook instead of New Outlook:

1. Switch from New Outlook to classic Outlook on Windows.
2. In classic Outlook, select File → Options → Advanced.
3. Under Export, select Export.
4. In the Import and Export Wizard, choose Export to a file → Next.
5. Choose Comma Separated Values (or Comma Separated Value (DOS)) → Next.
6. Select the Contacts folder to export → Next.
7. Choose a location and name for the .csv file → Next.
8. Optionally select Map Custom Fields to adjust which contact fields are exported → Finish.

Then import that .csv into Google Contacts/Gmail:

1. Sign in to Gmail and open Google Contacts.
2. Select More → Import.
3. Browse to the .csv file exported from Outlook and complete the import.

If only a .pst export is available in New Outlook, switching temporarily to classic Outlook is required to get a .csv contacts export compatible with Gmail.

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References:

• Export your contacts from Outlook and use them in Google Gmail
• Transfer contacts between Outlook and Google Gmail
• Move your old email, calendars, and contacts to Microsoft 365
• Export contacts from Outlook.com or Outlook on the web