How to Convert OST to CSV Manually?

Do you want to convert OST to CSV file format? If your answer is yes, this article is for you. Here, we will discuss how to change the Outlook OST file to CSV file format. Moreover, we also disclose the most efficient and versatile solution for this file conversion. So, read the article till the end.

Basic Overview

Outlook OST files are the offline copy of your mailbox data for accessing your emails without an Internet connection. The best part about OST files is that you do not need to update them. It will get updated automatically when Outlook connects to the server. When you try to back up your mailbox data, Outlook offers two options to download your mailbox items locally: PST and CSV file formats.

PST is another Outlook data file, while CSV file stands for Comma Separated Values. No doubt PST is the backup format to save emails locally. However, converting OST emails to CSV file format has various advantages. Let us check why users convert Outlook OST files to CSV file format.

Why Do You Need to Convert OST to CSV file?

Few users may have specific reasons for converting OST to CSV file format. But, the cause of file conversion is often common for most users. So, we will discuss these significant reasons that lead you to change OST to an excel file extension.

• To simplify data sharing, you should convert your Outlook OST file to CSV file format. Some mediums of file transfer do not support Outlook OST files.
• Another reason to convert OST to CSV file extension is the wide supportability of CSV files. You can easily open a CSV file on your PC. On the other hand, you will require Outlook to access the OST file.
• By converting OST to CSV, you export a non-readable file into a readable file type.
• OST files are more susceptible to file corruption. However, CSV files do not get corrupted easily.
• Some email clients enable you to import your mailbox data in CSV file format. Thus, you can also migrate your emails when backed up in CSV file format.

The above are some prominent reasons that lead users to export OST to CSV file format. Now, we will discuss how to convert OST to PST manually.

Manual Method to Convert OST file to CSV Extension

As mentioned above, the Outlook OST files are the offline copies of your Outlook mailbox. So, for converting OST to CSV, you have your emails from Outlook to back up to the local drive in CSV file format. The manual approach to convert OST to Excel file format requires installation of MS Outlook. You have some steps in the Outlook application to perform to back up your emails.

Follow the below instructions to convert Outlook OST file to CSV file format

• Open MS Outlook on your PC. Click on the File button.
• After that, choose the Open & Export tab and click the Import/Export icon.
• In the Import/Export wizard, select the Export to a file option. Hit Next.
• Select the Comma Separated Value (.csv) option and press the Next button.
• After that, choose the mailbox folder you want to convert and select other options. Click Next.
• Click on the Browse button to define the destination of the resultant CSV file.
• Last, choose the remaining options and press the Finish button to download the Outlook OST file into CSV file format.

Now, it is a simple procedure to convert OST to CSV file format. Anyone, with or without any technical experience, can perform the above steps in MS Outlook. However, there are some limitations associated with this manual method.

Limitation of DIY Solution

• The manual approach does not allow you to back up specific mailbox data from a complete folder.
• Also, you can not back up all Outlook mailbox folders through manual techniques.
• If you want to exclude all the email attachments from migration, the DIY methods are unsuitable.
• Sometimes, you may require to convert OST to MBOX or another file type. The above procedure will be futile for that conversion.

Now, you might be thinking, What else should we choose to convert OST file to CSV file format?

The answer is a professional OST converter tool.

Professional Method to Convert OST to CSV File Format

The best solution to convert OST file to CSV file format is CloudMigration OST to PST Converter. Despite its name, it efficiently converts Outlook OST files into CSV, TXT, PDF, MBOX, PST, EML, MSG, and many other file formats. Along with that, you can also migrate your emails from Outlook to Gmail, Yahoo Mail, Hotmail, AOL, Thunderbird, etc. Unlike the conventional manual method, you can specify what item you want to migrate. Thus, it enables you migrate particular mailbox items. Moreover, this utility is compatible with all Windows OS versions.

Also Read:- Top 10 Best OST to PST Converter of Year 2022

Features of OST to PST Converter Tool

• The application allows you to add multiple Outlook OST files and convert them simultaneously.
• You can convert OST files to CSV, PDF, PST, EML, MSG, MBOX, HTML, MHTML, PNG, DOC, etc.
• It migrates emails from Outlook to Gmail, Office 365, Yahoo Mail, Hotmail, AOL, Thunderbird, and many other email clients.
• Advanced date range filtering feature for exporting emails of a particular date range.
• Options to exclude email attachments or save them in a separate folder.
• Work efficiently with all versions of Windows OS.

How Do I Convert an OST File?

• Download the CM OST to PST Converter Tool. Install and run it as administrator.

• Now, click the Single File button to add the desired Outlook OST file.

• After that, press the Select Files button. Choose the desired OST file and hit Open.

• Now, the file has been added to the list. Click on the Next button.

• Check the mailbox preview and choose desired items. Click on the Next button.

• Expand the Save/Backup/Migrate As field and choose CSV file format.

• Opt for the remaining migration options and press the Convert button.

Conclusion

You can convert OST to CSV file format with and without the Outlook application. The first approach is the manual solution for converting OST to CSV. To perform the manual procedure, you must have Outlook installed on your PC. If you want to customize the file conversion as per your requirement, the best solution is OST to PST Converter Tool which is an independent tool and does not require Outlook installation.

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