How To Import Contacts From a .csv File or .pst File To Outlook 2010

This article outlines how to import a list of contacts that were exported to a .csv or .pst file. (see How To Export Contacts From Outlook 2010)


  1. At the top of your Outlook ribbon, choose the File tab.

    In Outlook 2010, choose the File tab.

  2. Choose Open > Import.

    Choose Open, then choose Import.

  3. In the Import and Export Wizard, click Import from another program or file, and the click Next.

    Choose import from another program or file.

  4. To import a .csv file, choose Comma Separated Values (Windows). To import a .pst file, choose Outlook Data File (.pst). Choose Next.

    Choose .pst import

  5. Choose Browse, then choose the .csv or .pst file you want to import, and choose Next.

    NOTES    Under Options, if you want the imported information to replace duplicate items already in Outlook, choose that. Otherwise, choose Do not import duplicates.

    Choose the .pst file you want to import

  6. If a password was assigned to the Outlook Data File (.pst), you are prompted to enter the password, and then click OK.

  7. Set the options for importing items. Choose Filter if you want to only import certain emails. Choose theMore Choices tab if you want to only import emails that are read or unread.

    The default settings usually don’t need to be changed. The top folder — usually Personal Folders, Outlook Data File, or your email address — is selected automatically.

    Choose Filter if you want to import only certain emails.

  8. Include subfolders is selected by default. All folders under the folder selected will be imported.

  9. The default selection of Import items into the same folder in matches the folders from the imported file to the folders in Outlook. If a folder doesn’t exist in Outlook, it will be created.

  10. Choose Finish. Outlook starts importing your data immediately. You'll know it's finished when the progress box closes.

Tip    If you want to import or restore only a few items from an Outlook Data File (.pst), you can open the Outlook Data File, and then, in the navigation pane, click and drag the items from Outlook Data File folders to your existing Outlook folders.

Were these steps helpful? Please leave us a comment.

Was this article helpful?
0 out of 0 found this helpful

Get Additional Help

Visit our Helpdesk for additional help and support.

Powered by Zendesk