Cannot export contacts from Outlook

Question

Cannot export contacts from Outlook to CSV file. It only exports email, not contacts.

Answer 1

Hi Donna,

Can you double confirm if are you using classic Outlook or new Outlook? For new Outlook, exporting contacts currently not supported. Microsoft is still rolling out features, so this is a known limitation

However, if you are using Classic Outlook, you may refer to the video for the step by step guide on how to export: https://support.microsoft.com/en-US/Outlook/training/export-contacts-in-outlook

Answer 2

To export contacts (not email) from classic Outlook to a CSV file, the Contacts folder must be selected in the export wizard. If the Inbox or another mail folder is selected, the result will be email rows instead of contacts.

Use these steps in classic Outlook on Windows:

1. Open Outlook on the PC and select File.
2. Select Open & Export > Import/Export.
3. In the Import and Export Wizard, select Export to a file and choose Next.
4. Select Comma Separated Values and choose Next.
5. In Select folder to export from, scroll to the top and select the Contacts folder for the account (or Contacts (This computer only) if that is where contacts are stored), then choose Next.
   • This step is key: if a mail folder (like Inbox) is selected here, the export will contain email instead of contacts.
6. Select Browse, choose a save location and file name for the CSV, then select OK.
7. Confirm the path, select Next, then Finish to start the export.
8. Locate the CSV file and open it in Excel to verify that contact fields (names, email addresses, phone numbers, etc.) are present. Empty cells are normal. Close the file without saving changes to avoid corrupting the format.

If the wizard still only shows mail folders and no Contacts folder, verify that contacts actually exist in the Outlook Contacts folder (in the People view) and that they are not only stored in another service or device.

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References:

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