how to move cloud outlook contacts to ,ost file

Question

I want to move my outlook contacts from the cloud to a .pst file on my PC

Answer 1

Hi!

Welcome to Microsoft Q&A forum.

You want to export your Outlook contacts from the cloud (Microsoft 365/Exchange/Outlook.com) to a local PST file so you have them on your PC. No problem, let me assist you and provide you steps how to do it.

Here’s a clear step‑by‑step guide for Windows:

Step 1: Open Outlook on your PC

Please ensure you are logged in with the account that the contacts are in.

This process works best with the desktop version of the Outlook app, as opposed to the browser-based app.

Step 2: Go to the Export option

Go to File, Open & Export, Import/Export.

Then, choose the option for exporting to a file, followed by clicking the Next button.

Next, choose the option for an Outlook data file, followed by clicking the Next button.

Step 3: Select Contacts

In the list of folders, you need to find your Contacts folder, which is under your cloud account, typically your email address.

You need to click on the Contacts folder, followed by clicking the check box for including subfolders, which is optional in case you have several contacts folders.

Next, you need to click the Next button.

Step 4: Choose a save location

You need to click on the button for browsing, followed by selecting the location on your PC where you want the file to be saved.

You need to give your PST file a name, such as ContactsBackup.pst.

You need to choose the options for duplicates, including replacing, allowing, or exporting duplicates.

Click the Finish button.

By now this should be done and your contacts are now exported to a .pst file on your PC.

You can open it anytime in Outlook via File → Open & Export → Open Outlook Data File.

Answer 2

To move Outlook contacts from a cloud mailbox (Microsoft 365/Exchange/Outlook.com) to a local file on the PC, export them to a file from classic Outlook on Windows.

For contacts only, exporting to a .csv file is the supported path; for full mailbox data (including contacts) use a .pst file.

Option 1: Export contacts to .csv (contacts only)

1. In classic Outlook on Windows, select File.
2. Select Open & Export > Import/Export.
3. Select Export to a file > Next.
4. Select Comma Separated Values > Next.
5. Under the cloud email account, select the Contacts folder.
6. Select Browse..., choose where to save the file, and enter a file name.
7. Select OK, then Finish.

This creates a local .csv file with all contacts, which can be viewed/edited in Excel or imported elsewhere.

Option 2: Export all mailbox data (including contacts) to .pst

If the goal is to have contacts inside a .pst file together with mail and calendar:

1. In classic Outlook on Windows, use the Export or backup email, contacts, and calendar to an Outlook .pst file process.
2. Choose the cloud mailbox as the source and include the Contacts folder when selecting what to export.
3. Save the resulting .pst file to a local folder or external drive.

This .pst file will contain emails, contacts, and calendar items from the cloud mailbox and can later be imported or opened in Outlook on another PC.

Note: New Outlook for Windows does not currently support importing .pst files or accessing contacts/calendar items from .pst; use classic Outlook for full .pst functionality.

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References:

• Export contacts in Outlook
• Export emails, contacts, and calendar items to Outlook using a .pst file
• Import email, contacts, and calendar from an Outlook .pst file