How to Export Outlook Mac Data to PST File Format Safely?

Mac users who rely on Outlook for email communication often find it difficult to export Outlook for Mac to PST. PST or Personal Storage Table is a commonly used file format for Microsoft Outlook which is primarily a Windows-based platform.

However, with the growing need for cross-platform compatibility, it has become imperative to find a way to create PST file in Outlook for Mac.

In this article, we will take a closer look at the various methods available to export Outlook for Mac to PST, their reasons, and the most efficient way to achieve this conversion.

Do You Know?

Though Microsoft Outlook for Mac has the option to import PST files, it lacks all the steps to export Outlook for Mac to PST. The only export option creates an OLM file to archive your Outlook data items.

Many people have a misconception that it must have an inbuilt option because Windows Outlook provides PST format import and export options. Unfortunately, Mac Outlook supports OLM format, so you cannot export data to PST file format.

How to Export Outlook for Mac to PST Manually?

There is no direct option to accomplish this task, so we will use Gmail as a third-party tool. This method is divided into 3 steps, and all steps are given below in detail.

Step 1: Connect Gmail to Mac Outlook

Important Note: Make an empty folder in Gmail account.

1. Open your Mac Outlook.
2. Choose the “Preferences” option.
3. After that, click on the “Accounts >> + Icon >> Add a new account.”
4. Choose Email and put the email address.
5. Apply the configuration settings and Outlook will verify it.
6. Lastly, exit from Mac Outlook.

Now move your emails from your Mac Outlook account to the previously created folder in Gmail.

Step 2: Set Up Same Account in Windows Outlook

1. Open your Outlook account.
2. Hit on the File >> Add Account option.

   

3. Enter the login credentials of the Gmail account.

   

4. Put the needed configuration settings.
5. Lastly, click on the Finish icon.

   

Now you will get all the Gmail folders in Windows Outlook’s profile. After that, move your emails from the created folder to Windows Outlook. After the completing steps, follow the next step.

Step 3: Export Outlook for Mac to PST via Import/Export

1. Restart your Outlook account.
2. Choose File >> Open & Export >> Import/Export tab.

   

3. Choose Export to a File >> Next option.

   

4. After that, click on the Outlook Data File (PST) option.

   

5. Select the moved data or previously created folder from the connected Gmail account.

   

6. Browse the destination to save data and apply the filters.

   

7. Lastly, click on the Finish button.

Using the manual solution, you can save Outlook Mac to PST, but it has some serious limitations that you must be aware of.

Limitations of Manual Solution

• You need to install the email client Microsoft Outlook on your Windows Operating System.
• When you configure Gmail with Outlook, some folders might create problems in sync.
• The movement of emails from one folder to another can miss some emails during the transfer.
• If you have a lot of emails with large attachments in your Gmail account, you may face Gmail’s storage limit issue.
• The manual solutions do not provide an advanced filter option to export Outlook for Mac to PST.
• Using a manual solution to download Outlook Mac to PST increases the risk of data and email loss during the move.
• When you have too many emails, moving folders from Gmail to Outlook is time-consuming, and the sync process might be slow.
• Sometimes the folder structure is mapped incorrectly between Outlook and Gmail, which can create issues with labels and folders.
• Outlook for Mac doesn’t provides direct export PST option, due to which users need to transfer emails through Gmail and sync on Windows Outlook.

These were the major limitations of using a manual solution.

Advanced Solution to Export Outlook for Mac to PST

According to the above-described manual solutions and their limitations, the manual method can do incorrect folder mapping, be slow, and time-consuming. However, we recommend an expert solution to export Outlook Mac to PST, i.e., OLM Migrator. You can archive Mac Outlook items to an OLM file first and then convert OLM to PST format without any data loss. Therefore, you can get a PST file with all data items of Outlook for Mac. It is the easiest and quickest solution to download Outlook Mac to PST.

The tool is available for both Windows and Mac Operating Systems, so that you can use this tool seamlessly. You can use the free trial version of the suggested utility to check its working and performance before purchase.

Simple Steps to Outlook for Mac Export to PST

• Step 1: Install and run the software.
• Step 2: Upload your Outlook Mac data files.
• Step 3: Select the required files and folders.
• Step 4: Choose PST as a saving type from list.
• Step 5: Select the destination using Browse.
• Step 6: Convert button to export Outlook for Mac to PST.

Complete Steps to Create PST File in Outlook for Mac without Outlook

Please Read Me: Before starting the process, if you have not exported data from Mac Outlook then follow the given steps first. Open your Mac Outlook >> File >> Export >> Select the needed items >> Export and select the location to save results and click on the Save button.

1. Start the recommended software on your Mac system.

   

2. Upload your needed files and folders of Mac Outlook using the Select Files and Select Folders options and click on the Next icon.

   

3. All the folders and subfolders will appear on the panel, and check the needed data files and hit on the Next button.

   

4. Click on the Select Saving Option and choose PST as your saving option to create PST file in Outlook for Mac.

   

5. Enable the needed advanced modes including Change Language and Create Separate PST from Every OLM etc.

   

6. Select the destination path as per your choice to save results using the Browse (Folders) icon.

   

7. Lastly, click on the Convert or Next button to export Outlook for Mac to PST.

   

8. After the successful process, click on the OK button on the appearing box.

   

Done! After using the suggested tool with their described steps, you can easily download Outlook Mac to PST. Also, you can read the mentioned phenomenal features of expert solutions, which explain why expert tools are best.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Ques 1: Does Outlook for Mac have a PST File?

  Ans: No, Mac Outlook stores its data in OLM format, and Windows Outlook stores data in PST format.

• Ques 2: Is Olm the same as PST?

  Ans: Yes, both are files of Outlook for Mac & Windows and both OLM and PST are used to store complete data including emails, contacts, calendars, notes, journals, etc.

• Ques 3: What is the full form of PST in Outlook?

  Ans: PST stands for Portable Storage Table file in Outlook.

Conclusion

In conclusion, exporting Mac Outlook to PST files can be valuable for backup, data transfer, and file management. By following the steps given in this blog, Mac users can easily create a PST file containing Outlook data. This allows you to access your Outlook information in different environments and protect data from loss. Whether you are transferring data to a new computer or simply creating a backup of your emails, exporting Outlook for Mac to PST file is a simple and reliable solution.