How to Export Outlook Contacts to vCard (VCF) Files?

What is vCard (VCF) File?

Before we get into the steps, let’s clarify what a vCard file is. A vCard (also known as .vcf) is a file format standard used for the electronic exchange of contact information. It can store details like names, phone numbers, email addresses, photos, and even social media links. vCard files are compatible with almost all contact management systems, which is why they are ideal for transferring contacts between devices and platforms.

Exporting contacts from Outlook to vCard format offers several advantages that can simplify your contact management. vCard is a widely supported format, compatible with many email clients and devices. Here are some key reasons to export contacts from Outlook as vcard:

Reasons to Export Outlook Contacts to VCF File

1. Portability: vCard files are portable and can be easily shared between different devices, and email clients.
2. Compatibility: vCards are supported by many email platforms, smartphones, and address book applications. It is a universal format for transferring contact information.
3. Backup and Recovery: Exporting contacts to vCard creates a backup, allowing you to recover them in case of data loss or system failure.
4. Simplified Import/Export Process: vCards provide an easy method for importing and exporting contacts without the complexity of dealing with different file formats or settings.
5. Data Organization: With vCards, contact data is well-organized and easy to categorize, helping you manage your contacts more efficiently.

Exporting your Outlook contacts to vCard format not only ensures the portability and security of your information but also provides a compatible way to manage and share your contacts across various platforms.

How to Export Contacts From Outlook to vCard

When it comes to transferring your contacts from Outlook to a vCard, there are several methods available. Each method offers a unique approach to ensure the process is smooth and efficient. Here are the top methods to export contacts from Outlook to vCard. Go through the next section and pick the method accordingly to export contacts from Outlook as vcard: 

Method 1: Using Outlook for Desktop (Windows/Mac)

Outlook for Desktop, available on both Windows and Mac, provides a powerful and feature-rich platform for managing emails, calendars, contacts, and tasks.  In this section, we will explore how to make the most out of Outlook on both Windows and Mac to export contacts from Outlook to vCard. 

Step 01: Open Outlook and Go to Contacts

1. Launch Outlook and open your Outlook application.
2. Access the People (Contacts) Section:
   • In Outlook 365 or Outlook 2019/2016/2013, click on the People icon at the bottom of the screen (it may look like a silhouette or a small address book).
   • If you’re using an older version of Outlook, you may need to click on the Contacts section from the navigation pane.

Step 02: Select the Contact You Want to Export

1. Browse through your contacts and select the one you want to export. If you want to export multiple contacts, you can hold the Ctrl key (on Windows) or the Command key (on Mac) and click to select multiple entries.
2. Alternatively, if you want to export all contacts, simply choose all by pressing Ctrl + A (Windows) or Command + A (Mac).

Step 03: Export Contacts from Outlook to vCard

1. Right-click on the selected contact(s) and choose the Forward Contact option from the context menu.
2. Then, select As a vCard. This will create a vCard (.vcf) file with the contact’s details.
3. A new email window will open, with the vCard file attached.
4. Instead of sending the email, click on the attachment and save it to your preferred location on your computer.

Step 04: Repeat for Other Contacts

If you have more contacts to export, repeat the process. You can choose to export them individually or in batches, depending on your needs.

Method 2: Exporting All Contacts as vCards (for Windows)

If you want to export all your contacts at once as vCards, Outlook doesn’t provide a direct way to do so in bulk. However, you can use an alternative method to achieve this. But keep in mind that this approach does not come with accuracy and proper formatting of the output format: 

Step 01: Export Contacts to CSV Format

1. Firstly, click on File in the upper left corner of Outlook.
2. Next, click Open & Export and select Import/Export.
3. In the import/export wizard, choose Export to a file.
4. After that, select Microsoft Excel (CSV) as the file type.
5. Choose the Contacts folder that contains the contacts you want to export.
6. Lastly, select a location on your computer to save the CSV file.

Step 02: Convert CSV to vCard

1. After exporting the contacts as a CSV file, use a CSV to vCard Converter to convert your CSV file into vCard format.
2. Follow the prompts in the tool, upload your CSV file, and convert it to a vCard (.vcf) file.

Now, you’ll have a vCard file that contains all your Outlook contacts.

Method 3: Using Outlook on the Web (Outlook.com)

For those using the web version of Outlook (Outlook.com or Outlook on Office 365), the process is slightly different but still straightforward.

Step 01: Log in to Outlook.com

1. Open your browser and go to Outlook.com or Outlook on Office 365.
2. Log in with your Microsoft account credentials.
3. Click on the People icon from the lower-left corner of the screen.
4. This will take you to the contact management page.

Step 02: Export Contacts from Outlook to vCard

1. Click on the Manage button (gear icon).
2. From the drop-down menu, select Export contacts.
3. You’ll be prompted to choose which contacts to export. 
4. After selecting, choose the vCard (.vcf) option for the export format.
5. Finally, click Export. The vCard file will be downloaded to your computer.

Things to Keep in Mind

• File Size: vCard files can become large when exporting multiple contacts. Make sure the file size doesn’t exceed the limits imposed by the email provider or storage platform you are using.
• Data Loss: When exporting contacts, some data (such as custom fields or certain details) might not transfer correctly, especially if you’re using a manual method to convert formats. Always verify the exported file to ensure the necessary information is included.
• Multiple Contacts: For multiple contacts, you may need to export each one separately unless using a third-party tool to convert a CSV file to vCards.

Method 03: All in one Solution to Export Contacts from Outlook to vCard

If you have a PST file containing your Outlook contacts and wish to export them to a vCard (VCF) file, DRS Softech PST File Converter makes this process simple and efficient. Whether the PST file is from an older version of Outlook or a newer one, it can handle the conversion smoothly. Also, it makes sure that all contacts are extracted and saved accurately. For multiple PST files or a large PST file with many contacts, it allows for batch conversion. Once the contacts are exported to CSV, you can convert CSV to vCard (VCF) in just a few clicks. 

Conclusion

Exporting Outlook contacts to vCard (VCF) format is a great way to back up your contact list or share it with others. Whether you’re using Outlook desktop or Outlook on the web, the process is relatively simple. By following the steps outlined above, you’ll be able to export individual or multiple contacts in no time. If you’re dealing with a large number of contacts and want to export them all at once, using the CSV-to-vCard conversion method might be the best option for you to export contacts from Outlook to vcard.

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