{"id":1256,"date":"2026-05-15T09:47:00","date_gmt":"2026-05-15T09:47:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.adviksoft.com\/blog\/?p=1256"},"modified":"2026-10-06T02:35:58","modified_gmt":"2026-10-06T02:35:58","slug":"export-pst-contacts-to-csv","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.adviksoft.com\/blog\/export-pst-contacts-to-csv\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Extract Contacts from PST File?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Quick Answer:<\/strong> There are two main ways to extract contacts from PST file. You can use Classic Outlook’s built-in Import\/Export wizard to export contacts from PST to CSV, or if you want to extract contacts without Outlook you can download and try this utility.<\/p>\n

\"Download-Button\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The best method depends on whether Outlook is installed, whether the PST file is accessible and how you planned to export your contacts from Outlook PST file. This guide explains both methods step by step, including their limitations and the best output format for different requirements.<\/p>\n

Which Method is Best for Extracting Contacts from a PST File?<\/h2>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Your requirement<\/th>\nRecommended method<\/th>\nOutput format<\/th>\nOutlook required?<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Export contacts from an accessible PST file<\/td>\nClassic Outlook export wizard<\/td>\nCSV<\/td>\nYes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Extract contacts from PST without Outlook<\/td>\nPST conversion tool<\/td>\nCSV or VCF, depending on tool support<\/td>\nNo<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
View and organize contacts in Excel<\/td>\nExport to CSV<\/td>\nCSV<\/td>\nOnly for the manual method<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Transfer contacts to another compatible address book<\/td>\nExport to VCF<\/td>\nVCF<\/td>\nDepends on the method<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Process contacts from multiple PST files<\/td>\nCompatible PST converter with batch-processing support<\/td>\nSupported formats<\/td>\nNot necessarily<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Extract contacts from a damaged PST file<\/td>\nAppropriate repair or recovery method<\/td>\nDepends on the tool<\/td>\nNot necessarily<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Note:<\/strong> The instructions below are for the step-by-step Classic Outlook for Windows. Be sure to check which version of Outlook you are using before proceeding, as New Outlook does not have the same traditional PST workflow.<\/p>\n

Method 1. How to Extract Contacts from a PST File Using Outlook<\/h2>\n

Microsoft Outlook has an export wizard that can save a Contacts folder to a CSV format. If the PST file is not yet listed in Outlook, open it as an Outlook Data File.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Step 1. Open the PST File in Classic Outlook<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Open the Microsoft Outlook desktop client on your system.<\/li>\n
  2. Click on the File tab.
    \n\"Click<\/li>\n
  3. Now, click on Open & Export and select Import\/Export.
    \n\"click<\/li>\n
  4. Select Import from another program or file and press Next.
    \n\"Select<\/li>\n
  5. Choose Outlook Data File (.pst) and click Next.
    \n\"Choose<\/li>\n
  6. Click on Browse and choose .pst file from which you want to extract contacts\"Extract<\/li>\n
  7. Choose the folder to import the file and click Finish.
    \n\"click<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    After the completion of the import process, proceed to the next phase.<\/p>\n

    Phase 2. Extract PST Contacts<\/strong><\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Go to the File tab, click Open & Export, then select Import\/Export.
      \n\"select<\/li>\n
    2. Select Export to file and then hit Next button.
      \n\"Select<\/li>\n
    3. Make sure Comma Separated Value is selected then click on Next button.\"choose<\/li>\n
    4. Select the Contacts folder from the imported PST file and again hit the Next button.\"Select<\/li>\n
    5. Click on Browse to select the saving path along with the file name, and then press the Finish button.\"press<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Phase 3. Verify the exported contacts<\/strong><\/p>\n

      When the export is complete, open the CSV data file in Excel or another compatible application.<\/p>\n

      Check that the expected names, email addresses, phone numbers and other contact fields are there. If you plan to import the contacts into another service, make sure that the destination supports the export format and field structure.<\/p>\n

      Points to Know<\/strong><\/p>\n