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How to Import OLM Files to Outlook for Windows & Mac [Solved]

Practical approaches to Import OLM files into Outlook for Windows or Outlook for Mac applications

By Stephen RenaldPublished 2 years ago 5 min read
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Summary: Learn how to import OLM file into Outlook for Windows in this tutorial. Using the OLM to PST converter program or the workaround approach described in this post, you can open an OLM file in Windows Outlook. This guide will show you how to open, access, and import mailbox items from Outlook for Mac (.olm) to Outlook for Windows with 100% correctness.

We are all aware that Microsoft Outlook saves all of its data in the PST file format, whereas Mac Outlook saves it in the OLM file format. As a result, converting a Mac Outlook file to a Windows format is required in order to access the data on a Windows PC.

Outlook for Mac uses the OLM file extension, which was first introduced with Outlook 2011 for Mac. The OLM file can’t be opened in Windows Outlook because it does not supports windows programming. If you wish to view and open the OLM file created by Outlook for Mac, you’ll need to convert it to a .pst file using the necessary means.

Difference B/W OLM & PST File:

Microsoft Outlook for Windows, Outlook 365, Exchange Server, and Office 365 all support the PST file format. Outlook for Mac, on the other hand, can only import OLM files.

One of the most significant distinctions between OLM and PST files is the method they are stored, which differs significantly. When it comes to OLM files, it’s important to remember that they’re only saved locally and aren’t synced to any server.

PST files, on the other hand, are saved locally and accessible at all times, but they are also synchronized with the server and the mailbox on it, making them a much safer alternative for keeping sensitive data like contacts, emails, and calendar events. It all depends on the type of data you want to save and how important it is because there are some items you want to keep as safe as possible.

How to Import OLM File into Outlook in Windows?

Converting a Mac Outlook OLM file to PST file is the only way to access Mac Outlook data in Windows Outlook. That’s why more people are looking for ways to import OLM files into Windows Outlook.

As there isn’t a direct way to convert a Mac Outlook data file to.pst format. To convert Mac Outlook OLM to Windows Outlook, you’ll need to use a third-party tool, and once your OLM file has been converted to Outlook.pst format, you can quickly import that PST file into Windows Outlook.

Quick Way to Import OLM file to Outlook for Windows

OLM to PST Converter is a highly advanced tool that helps you to convert Mac Outlook files into Windows PST. So that you can read or open OLM file in Windows Outlook. Before moving to another method, try out this free tool. This software is such an amazing tool that it also extract all attachments from OLM file into a folder named "Attachments".

The distinctive feature of this software is that along with importing OLM files into Windows Outlook, it also supports several export options like PDF, EML, MSG, Office 365, etc.

Steps to understand how the software works:

  1. Click on the Add File button to add .olm file from its location on the local machine.
  2. Now, browse the respective file location by clicking on the Browse button.
  3. Click on Add File to initiate the file scanning process.
  4. As soon as the OLM file scanning process completes, you can preview the data in various view modes.
  5. Click on the Export button to migrate all the data items of OLM files.
  6. Or select the Export Selected option to migrate only particular files that are selected.
  7. With the PST radio button selected, click on the Advanced settings button
  8. Now, Provide these settings: a) Split PST: To Split all the PST files using the size that can limit the size of the PST files. b) Date filter option: This allows the user to migrate specific data from the PST files. c) Categories: As per which we can export the specific components of the PST file such as emails, contacts, calendars, tasks, and notes.
  9. Once the settings have been specified, click on the Save button.
  10. Click on the Export button to save the items in PST file format.

Got the PST File? Now Import it into Windows Outlook!

To import the PST file in Outlook 2019, 2016, and 2013, do the following:

  1. In Outlook, go to Open & Export in the File menu.
  2. Then, click on Import/Export option to open the Import and Export wizard.
  3. After that, select Import from another program or file and move on to the next window.
  4. Then, select Outlook data file (.pst) and move on to the next window.
  5. After that, choose the PST file that contains the OLM mailbox items with the Browse button.
  6. At last, select where to import the data and click the Finish button.

With this, you have successfully import OLM to Outlook Windows PC.

How to Import OLM File to Outlook for Mac?

Outlook for Mac has a native option to both import and export OLM files directly. The process is as follows:

  1. In Outlook for Mac 2016, 2019, click on the Tools >> Import.
  2. Select Outlook for Mac archive file (.olm) and continue to the next window.
  3. Browse and select the OLM file from your system and click on the Import button.
  4. The imported OLM items will appear under On My Computer.

Reasons Behind Such Conversion/Migration?

OLM file is not supported by Outlook for Windows. To access your OLM files in MS Outlook for Windows, you must first convert the OLM file to PST and then import the PST file into Outlook for Windows. As a result, when a user switches from Outlook for Mac to Outlook for Windows, OLM files must be saved as PST.

The following are some of the most common scenarios that necessitate OLM to Outlook PST conversion:

  • The user is switching from a Mac to a Windows system. As a result, they must switch from Outlook for Mac to Outlook for Windows. As a result, OLM to PST conversion is required.
  • User has old OLM files that he/she wishes to access in Windows Outlook application.
  • User has to provide someone with PST files containing important data. However, he/she uses Outlook for Mac and is unable to do so.

Conclusion

You don’t have to be concerned about how to import an OLM file into Windows Outlook any longer. So, in order to assist you with your query, we have given wise and safe approaches. To accomplish the desired results and migrate their data to different destinations, such as exporting Mac Outlook to Mac Mail, users must use an easy approach.

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About the Creator

Stephen Renald

A technologist who writes about ways to get things done using technology.

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