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How to Export Outlook Contacts to VCF / vCard Files? Solved

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Published By Jamie Kaler 
Rollins Duke
Approved By Rollins Duke
Published On June 21st, 2024
Reading Time 9 Min Read

Summary: In this article, we will describe the different methods to export Outlook contacts to VCF files. Here, you will get the complete step-by-step guide to carrying out the desired results. So stay focused and read this blog till the end and grab the free knowledge to export multiple Outlook contacts to vCard file format.

We all know that contacts are the most significant for all of us. People save their contact data in different places, for example, some might be on cell phones, and others might be on various email accounts like Yahoo, Gmail, and well as on some desktop-based email clients like Thunderbird or MS Outlook.

Nowadays, many users are switching from one platform to another. There are many reasons why a user needs to change their platform, such as lack of features, management features, support, chat system, etc. When we talk about Microsoft Outlook it is one of the most popular email client applications in the world. It provides several contact management options. But it doesn’t allow you to export multiple Outlook contacts to VCF file format.

So, In the upcoming sections, we will cover serval topics such as the motives of exporting contacts from Outlook to vCard files, Along with the multiple strategies to export Outlook contacts to vCard file extension with a single Outlook contact file or multiple contact files.

Motives to Export Outlook Contacts to VCF Format

  • Interoperability: Export Outlook contacts to vCard to ensure compatibility because VCF file format is one of the commonly accepted file formats. This makes it possible to use contacts without suffering compatibility problems across various email programs, devices, and operating systems. It means that contact information is always available and useable on every platform.
  • Backup: You can have a portable, independent copy of your contacts by creating a backup of your contact data in vCard format. Protecting against data loss from system failures, software bugs, or accidental deletion needs this backup. Having a vCard backup gives you peace of mind and uninterrupted interaction by making sure you can quickly restore your contacts when necessary.
  • Migration: Exporting contacts to vCard makes the process of moving to a new email client or device easier. It guarantees the accurate and seamless transfer of all contact details by doing away with the need for tedious manual entry or complicated data transfer processes. Because of this simplification, switching to a new platform is quick and easy, saving time and effort.

Multiple Techniques to Export Outlook Contacts to vCard

There are different techniques to export contacts from Outlook to VCF. For users who want to export a single contact file from Outlook in vCard format, they can use options such as the attach file option, save as option, and forward contact option to export Outlook contacts to VCF file format.

For users who want to export multiple Outlook contacts to vCard file format basically, they can use two methods first one is the method in which they need to export Outlook contacts to Excel/CSV after that they need to convert CSV file to vCard file format. On the other hand, we have a second method as a pro solution to export all Outlook contacts to VCF file in a few simple steps.

3 Techniques to Export Single Outlook Contacts to VCF File

1st Method: Export Contacts From Outlook to vCard using the Attach File Option

  1. Firstly, open and run the Outlook application.
  2. Now, select attach file and click on attach item option from upper right corner.
  3. Next, click on a business card and then other business cards.
  4. Then, choose any specific contact and click on the ok button.
  5. After that, select VCF file and then click on save as.
  6. Lastly, click on the save button to export Outlook contacts to vCard file.

2nd Method: Export Outlook Contacts to VCF with Save As Option

  1. First, open and run Outlook application and select People icon.
  2. Now, select a contact and open it.
  3. Next, click on File and then Save as option.
  4. After that, choose the destination path and click on the Save button.
  5. Lastly, you successfully export contacts from Outlook to VCF file.

3rd Method: Export Outlook Contacts to vCard using Forward Contact

  1. First, open and run Outlook email client and select People icon.
  2. Now, select a contact and hit a right click on it.
  3. Next, choose Forward contact and then As a Business Card.
  4. After that, enter the email address and click on the send button.
  5. Lastly, go and log in to your gmail account and export Outlook contacts to VCF file.

How to Export Multiple Outlook Contacts to vCard/ VCF Manually?

Here we are going to mention the manual method, which is not directed. Firstly, we will export all Outlook contacts in CSV format, and then we will convert this exported file to VCF. All the steps are given below:

1st Step : Export Outlook Contacts to CSV

  1. Firstly, run Microsoft Outlook >> File Menu.
  2. Open & Export >> Import / Export >> Export to a File and Next.

    Export

  3. Select CSV file and Next. Choose the contacts folder.

    Comma Separated Value

  4. Enter a location to save the file and Next.

    location

  5. Choose custom fields.
  6. Lastly, Click on the Finish icon to export Outlook Contacts to vCard

2nd Step: Upload the Exported File to Gmail

  1. Firstly, open Google Contacts.
  2. Go to the Import tab.
  3. Browse the resultant file.
  4. Lastly, hit the Import button.

3rd Step: Export VCF File from Gmail

  1. Restart your Google Contacts.
  2. Select the uploaded contacts.
  3. Click on the Export button.
  4. Choose the VCF option.
  5. Lastly, hit the Export button.

Important Note: If you don’t want to follow multiple steps, then you can download the RecoveryTools CSV to VCF Converter. The software will easily convert multiple CSV files to vCard format without losing any information.

Drawbacks of Manual Methods

  • Outlook must be installed and configured with the subscribed account.
  • Multiple steps make this method a lengthy and time-consuming process.
  • Also, high risk of data loss due to multiple moves.

Expert Solution to Export Outlook Contacts to vCard / VCF  In Bulk

To clarify in a better way, we suggest you use our RecoveryTools Outlook Contacts Converter to import all Outlook contacts to vCard format. The software is one of the effective utilities that can export Outlook contacts to VCF in bulk without having file size limitations.

Download the software for free to analyze the performance

Highlight Features with Relevant Screenshot

Flexible User Interface: The software provides a user-friendly interface that can be easily operated by all users. Also, by viewing the software panel, users can understand all types of configurations and inherited features.Outlook data file
Multiple Saving options: Users can easily export multiple or even unlimited numbers of contacts to vCard format and many other formats as shown in the given image. While exporting contacts, there will not be any kind of loss of data, and the entire hierarchy of all the files and folders will be maintained throughout the process.vCard
Preserve Original Information: During the process to export Outlook Contacts to vCard, the application ensures it keeps the original piece of information. It maintains the Outlook contact details like First Name, Last Name, Postal Address, Email Address, Phone No, Fax, Notes, Birthdays, and all contact fields.
No Outlook Installation: One significant benefit of using this software is that you won’t require MS Outlook installation. It is an independent tool so a user can export Outlook Contacts to VCF / vCard files without any hassle and without Outlook configuration.

Manual Vs Automated Method to Export Outlook Contacts to VCF File
ASPECT Manual Method Automated Method
Ease of Use Required technical knowledge to use. User-friendly Interface for tech or non-tech users.
Features Basic export function with limited customization options. Advance features with additional customization options.
Suitability Users with a limited number of contacts For all individuals and business professionals
Process Complexity There are multiple technical steps to follow. Simple 5-step process.
Cost Free Minimum cost required
People Also Ask (FAQs)

Q: Can I export contact from multiple folders in Outlook?
Yes, using the pro solution you can export contacts from Outlook to VCF from multiple folders.

Q: Is a free solution available to export multiple contacts from Outlook to vCard file?
Yes, If you have technical knowledge you can follow the free manual method mentioned above in the blog.

Q: Is there a way to automate the process to export Outlook contacts to vCard file?

Yes, You can use the professional tool to automate the export process in simple steps directly:

  • Step 1: Install and run the tool.
  • Step 2: Add the Outlook contacts files.
  • Step 3: Check the required data.
  • Step 4: Choose CSV as the saving type.
  • Step 5: Browse the location as per choice.
  • Step 6: Hit the Convert button to export Outlook contacts to VCF.
Conclusion

In this article, we have explained the best ways to export Outlook Contacts to VCF / vCard file format. The software is also well suited to move your source Outlook files in various other formats. To export contacts, you can also continue with any of the mentioned solutions that suit your requirements. For better and faster results, we suggest you use a professional approach to carry out the contacts faster.