Mac Outlook 16: Export "On My Computer" Folders and Import to a New Computer

Question

After watching numerous support videos from various people with various methods. I cannot figure out a way to cleanly export both my extensive "On my computer" folders. I tried exporting the .OLM and importing it. No go. Tried copying the original Library "Main Profile" onto the new machine, and using the Profile Manager to choose the original profile as the default. This brought in all the messages, but not the folders.

I can switch to the Legacy Outlook and transfer my emails. Getting all of the carefully organized folders over is impossible.

Is there even a way to do this. Seems like an oversight by someone to not be able to do this. Please, please educate me with a sure-fire method. Thank you!

Answer 1

Hi Greg Brose, 

I understand you’re trying to move your “On My Computer” folder hierarchy from an old Mac to a new Mac, but .olm import and profile copy didn’t bring the folder structure in the new Outlook for Mac. On the new Mac in new Outlook, do you see File > Import > On My Computer Data File? 

Please kindly follow:  

Option 1 : Use New Outlook for Mac “Import On My Computer Data” (migrates local folders into new Outlook) 

• New Outlook for Mac supports migrating local “On My Computer” data, and the entry point is File > Import > On My Computer Data File (or “Import Now” from the On My Computer root).  
• Do this on the new Mac (in new Outlook): 
  • Make sure On My Computer is visible: Outlook > Preferences > General, and clear Hide On My Computer folders.  
  • Go to File > Import > On My Computer Data File (or open On My Computer and use Import Now if shown).  
  • Let the import complete, then check the folder tree under On My Computer.  

Option 2 (if your build doesn’t show “Import On My Computer Data”): Stay in Legacy Outlook for the local archive 

Please note that importing archive files like .olm is a feature that’s only available in Legacy Outlook for Mac, and imported content appears under On My Computer. If you must keep those folders as local-only, the supported approach is to keep accessing them in Legacy Outlook.  

Please tell me how it goes. If the problem persists, please don’t hesitate to reply to this thread and I will be happy to help. Have a lovely day!   

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Answer 2

Yes. Use Legacy Outlook on the old Mac to export all On My Computer data to a single .olm file, then import that .olm into Outlook on the new Mac (also in Legacy mode). The folders come across as part of the archive and appear again under On My Computer.

Follow these steps end-to-end:

1. On the old Mac – switch to Legacy Outlook
   • In Outlook for Mac, select Help > Revert to Legacy Outlook.
   • If prompted to Try the New Outlook, choose Not Now.
2. On the old Mac – export everything (including On My Computer)
   • In Legacy Outlook, go to File > Export.
   • Select all item types (email messages, contacts, calendar items, tasks, notes).
   • Continue and save the export as a .olm file in a location that is easy to find.
   • This .olm file contains the On My Computer folders and their structure.
3. Move the .olm file to the new Mac
   • Copy the .olm file via USB drive, network share, or other non-cloud method as desired.
4. On the new Mac – ensure Legacy Outlook is used
   • Open Outlook for Mac.
   • If it opens in the new Outlook interface, go to Help > Revert to Legacy Outlook first, because importing .olm is only supported in Legacy Outlook.
5. On the new Mac – import the .olm file
   • In Legacy Outlook, go to the Tools tab and choose Import.
   • In the Import dialog, select Outlook for Mac archive file (.olm) > Continue.
   • Browse to and select the .olm file copied from the old Mac, then choose Import.
6. Verify that folders are visible under On My Computer
   • After import, items appear in the navigation panes (Mail, Calendar, People, Tasks, Notes) under On My Computer.
   • If On My Computer is not visible:
     • Go to Outlook > Preferences… > General.
     • Clear Hide On My Computer folders.
   • The folder hierarchy from the old Mac should now be present under On My Computer on the new Mac.

This workflow is the supported, “sure-fire” way to move On My Computer mail and folders between Macs: export to a .olm in Legacy Outlook on the source Mac, then import that .olm in Legacy Outlook on the destination Mac, ensuring On My Computer folders are not hidden.

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References:

• How to revert back to Outlook 2016
• Import email messages, contacts, and other items into Outlook for Mac
• About On My Computer folders in Outlook for Mac