Trying to export your Outlook contacts gets confusing when the instructions point to menus your version doesn't have. New Outlook, classic Outlook, the browser version, and the mobile apps use different routes. Start with your version below to save a CSV, create an Outlook backup, or export contacts through your phone's address book.
Export a CSV from new Outlook
In new Outlook for Windows, open People on the side panel. Select Export contacts on the ribbon.
Under Contacts from this folder, choose the folder or available option you want to export. Select Export to save the CSV to Downloads.
This exports saved contacts accessible in People. It does not provide a complete export of autocomplete suggestions, contact-list membership, or your organization's directory.
If you use classic Outlook for Windows
Classic Outlook puts contact export in the Import and Export Wizard, so the new Outlook menu path does not apply.
Open File > Open & Export > Import/Export.
Choose Export to a file, then select Next.
Select Comma Separated Values, followed by Next.
Choose Contacts beneath the account you want to export, then select Next. Check the account name before continuing so you export the right folder.
Select Browse to choose a location and filename.
Confirm with OK, then select Next.
Select Finish to create the CSV. These steps apply to classic Outlook for Windows in Microsoft 365, Outlook 2024, and Outlook 2021.
Use Outlook.com or Outlook on the web
The browser method works for Outlook.com, including Hotmail accounts, and Microsoft 365 Outlook on the web. Use it from Windows, Mac, or another computer with a supported browser.
Sign in to your Outlook account in a browser.
Open People > Manage contacts > Export contacts.
Choose All contacts or another available folder option.
Select Export to save the selected contacts as a CSV.
If the contacts you need are missing because they are stored only on your PC, export their original folder from classic Outlook using the next method.
Recover contacts missing after switching to new Outlook
Open Start on the Windows PC that retains classic Outlook and your original local contact data. This method applies to contacts left in a Contacts (This computer only) folder after switching to new Outlook.
Search for Outlook.
Launch Outlook (classic).
Open File > Open & Export > Import/Export.
Select Export to a file, then Next.
Choose Comma Separated Values, followed by Next.
Select Contacts (This computer only), then Next.
Use Browse to choose the file's name and save location.
Select OK, then Next.
Select Finish to complete the export.
Keep the saved CSV before making further changes to your local contact setup.
On a Mac, choose browser export or vCards
The Windows export menus do not match Outlook for Mac.
For cloud contacts in Outlook.com or Microsoft 365, use the browser CSV method above. You do not need a Windows installation.
To send contacts as vCards in Outlook for Microsoft 365 for Mac, open People.
Select the contacts you want to share, holding Shift while selecting multiple contacts.
Choose Home > Forward. Outlook opens a new email with the vCards attached.
Address the message.
Select Send.
The .olm archive instructions found in older Mac guides belong to legacy Outlook. Use browser CSV export for cloud contacts or the current vCard sharing method.
Keep an Outlook backup as a PST file
Use classic Outlook for a PST contact backup; Microsoft says calendar and contact items in PST files are unavailable in new Outlook.
- 1.Open File > Open & Export > Import/Export.
- 2.Choose Export to a file > Next, then Outlook Data File (.pst) > Next.
- 3.Select your Contacts folder, or select the account to include its other data. Select Include subfolders when you need those folders, then select Next.
- 4.Select Browse, choose a location and filename, and confirm with OK.
- 5.Choose the duplicate-handling Options when exporting into an existing file, then select Finish.
- 6.Complete any password dialogs.
Save and export contacts on an iPhone
Outlook's Save Contacts feature copies contacts into the iPhone's native Contacts app without creating a CSV. Microsoft permits contact export from only one iOS device at a time.
In Outlook, open the left navigation view and select the Settings gear. Select your account and turn on Save Contacts. Allow contact access when prompted.
Once the contacts appear in the native app, open Contacts > Lists. Touch and hold the required account list or another existing list. Select Export.
Choose the fields to include. Select Done. Choose a sharing or saving destination.
Export an Android contact file
On Android, Outlook first synchronizes contacts into your device's address book. The file export then happens in the Contacts app.
Open Outlook's Settings.
Select your account.
Turn on Sync Contacts.
Allow contact access when requested.
If you previously denied access, open the account configuration in Outlook.
Tap Open Settings.
Enable contact access in the operating-system screen.
Return to Outlook.
Enable Sync Contacts.
On devices using Google Contacts, open the Contacts app and its export option. Google's current help pages show this as either Fix & manage > Export to file or Menu > Settings > Export.
Choose the account or accounts containing your synchronized Outlook contacts.
Select Export to .VCF file.
This route requires the synchronized Outlook contacts to be accessible to Google Contacts' exporter. Other manufacturers' Contacts apps use different interfaces, and Outlook's contact synchronization feature does not support Gmail or iCloud contacts.
If this method fails, use browser CSV export for Outlook.com or Microsoft 365 contacts. If your work account blocks contact synchronization, ask your administrator to enable mobile contact export.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I export just one contact from Outlook?
Yes. In classic Outlook for Windows, open the contact and select File > Save As. Enter a name in File name, choose the destination, and select Save to save it as a vCard (.vcf).
Can I choose which columns appear in the CSV?
Yes, in classic Outlook. On the CSV wizard's final confirmation page, check Export "Contacts" from folder Contacts. Select Map Custom Fields > Clear Map. Expand field categories with +, drag the required fields into the right pane, and arrange their order there. Select OK > Finish. This exports one contact folder at a time.
How do I transfer a contact group?
In classic Outlook, open a new message and use the popout button to open it in a separate window. Select People, then drag the contact group from Contacts into the message body. Address the message and select Send. The recipient can drag the attachment into Contacts or onto People. New Outlook does not currently support sharing contact lists.
Will contacts copied to my phone stay there if I turn synchronization off?
Turning off Save Contacts or Sync Contacts, or removing an account, can remove copied address-book contacts. Complete the native Contacts export first to keep a separate saved file.