How to get contacts across to New Outlook from Outlook

Question

I am trying New Outlook for the first time and my Contacts have not migrated to it. I assume they should have. Any help would be appreciated.

Answer 1

Dear Marcus H, 

Please submit in‑app feedback: Help > Feedback > Report a problem and check Include diagnostics.

• Share feedback (Windows Feedback Hub). See: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/send-feedback-to-microsoft-with-the-feedback-hub-app-f59187f8-8739-22d6-ba93-f66612949332
• Press Windows logo key + F to open Feedback Hub.
• Choose Report a problem, describe the issue (e.g., “New Outlook — contacts didn’t migrate”), and attach diagnostics/screenshots if you can. Submit to help the team investigate. Your feedback is valuable for further escalation.

Thank you for your understanding! Have a lovely day.

Answer 2

In New Outlook, contacts do not automatically migrate if they were stored locally in classic Outlook. Export them from classic Outlook to a CSV file, then import that file into New Outlook.

Follow these steps in classic Outlook (the old Outlook for Windows):

1. Open classic Outlook
   • Select Start and type Outlook.
   • Right-click Outlook (classic) and open it.
2. Export local contacts to a CSV file
   1. In classic Outlook, select File > Open & Export > Import/Export.
   2. Choose Export to a file > Next.
   3. Select Comma Separated Values > Next.
   4. In Select folder to export from, scroll to the top and select the Contacts (This computer only) folder under the mail account, then Next.
   5. Select Browse, choose where to save the file, give it a name, and select OK.
   6. Confirm the save location and select Next.
   7. Select Finish to export. When the Import and Export Progress box closes, the export is done.
   8. Locate the CSV file and open it in Excel to confirm the contacts are present. Close it without saving changes.
3. Import the CSV file into New Outlook
   1. Open New Outlook.
   2. From the left navigation bar, select People.
      • If People is not visible, select More apps, then People, and optionally Pin it.
   3. On the ribbon, select Import contacts.
   4. Select Browse, choose the CSV file, and select Open (or drag and drop the CSV into the importer dialog).
   5. Select Import.
   6. Wait for the Import successful message, then allow a few minutes for contacts to sync and appear.

For best results, ensure the CSV file uses UTF-8 encoding. If the import tool shows sample contacts with unreadable characters, cancel, convert the CSV to UTF-8, and re-import.

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References:

• Import or export contacts in Outlook using a .csv file