How to Export Outlook Contacts to Gmail? 2 Effective Methods
Quick Answer: Do you want to transfer contacts from Outlook to Gmail account? If yes, then you have landed in the right place. You can perform this task by exporting MS Outlook contacts to CSV (Comma-Separated Values) file and importing it into Google Contacts manually. Moreover, using a professional utility to export Outlook contacts to Gmail helps both professionals and beginners manage multiple contacts with ease.
Microsoft Outlook is one of the most recommended email clients for managing business data and overall communication. When compared to Outlook, the other most-used email service that we need is Gmail webmail which works better for user needs. Both Outlook and Gmail are well-known, growing services that help in business productivity. As technology grows, users are more likely to continue with Gmail. Most Outlook users like to export contacts from Outlook to Gmail. In the case of contacts.
However, we all know that contacts are always on the priority list in every person’s life. Without contacts, it is not possible for us to communicate. That’s the main reason most of us want to export Outlook contact groups to Gmail. Let us discuss the manual and professional solutions to carry out the task better with 100% desired results.
Why Need to Transfer Contacts from Outlook to Gmail?
There are various reasons why users need to migrate Outlook contacts to Gmail account. Gmail provides suitable access to contacts through Google Contacts, which makes it easier to manage and use saved contact information across several devices or applications. Here are some key benefits why users need to export Outlook contacts to Gmail:
- Users can use Gmail from virtually any device, anywhere, allowing them to access their contacts at any time.
- If you compare the user interfaces of both platforms, Gmail is easier to use compared to the more complex Outlook.
- Users may want to switch to Gmail for business purposes.
- It also allows users to perform a “security check” on their accounts to alert them to any potential malware.
- Create a separate copy of your contacts in Google Contacts for quick access when switching email platforms.
Overall, these are the main reasons to move contacts from Outlook to Gmail. It is important that, before transferring your contacts, you review the exported contact file to ensure that essential details such as names, phone numbers, and email addresses are included.
How to Export Outlook Contacts to Gmail Manually?
Here, you need to first export Outlook contacts to Google Contacts and then import those contacts into your Gmail account. To execute this manual task, follow the given steps.
#1 Export Contacts from Outlook (Classic Outlook)
- Go to the Outlook 2021, 2019, 2016, 2013 or below versions.
- Now, click on File Menu >> Open & Export.
- Then, go to Import/Export > choose Export to a File >> Next.
- Select CSV file and tap Next. Choose the contacts folder in the next step.
- Thereafter, you have to browse to the file location to store the output file containing Outlook contacts.
- At last, choose to Export Contacts from the folder & click the Finish button.
- Select the contacts you want and choose where you want to save the file – this will be the file you use to import into Gmail.
Important Note: If you are working with New Outlook or Outlook on the Web, the export process may differ in comparison to classic Outlook. For these two versions, open MS Outlook, click the People icon, choose your contacts, and click the Export button on the ribbon. Now, you can select the contacts you need to export and download the new CSV contact file to import it into your Gmail account.
#2 Import CSV Contacts into Gmail Account
- Firstly, open your Gmail account.
- Press the 3×3 grid of dots.
- Next, select Contacts and click the “Import” button.
- Finally, locate and select the CSV file you saved from Outlook.
- Wait for the import process to complete.
If these steps seem a bit complicated, there is another way. You can use an expert-recommended solution to assist you in understanding how to transfer contacts from Outlook to Gmail in just a few clicks. There are several automation options that make this process easier. However, before we go any further, we want to explain the limitations of using a manual technique.
Disadvantages of Using Manual Approach
We came across some issues that some users encountered when they had to manually export Outlook Contacts to Gmail.
- When you manually transfer contacts from Outlook to Gmail, sometimes the way the information is stored may be different. In short, when moving them around, some parts may end up in the wrong place. As a result, certain information may be lost, or the contents of your contact list may become disorganized.
- When you create groups for your contacts in Gmail, they are organized differently, using labels instead of folders. Therefore, when you move Outlook contacts to Gmail, the groups may not be saved.
- Manually sync Outlook contacts to Gmail can be time-consuming, especially if you have a large number of contacts or different groups of contacts that you need to move.
- When you transfer contacts from Outlook to Gmail yourself, pictures saved with the contacts may not be moved. Choose an automated solution to solve all your problems.
How to Move Contacts from Outlook to Gmail Professionally?
Practically, if we think properly, then it is not sure that the manual method will provide the best results. To simplify the entire process, we consider using a dedicated utility named FreeViewer Outlook Contacts Export Tool, which is more suitable to export Outlook contacts to Gmail account. This tool is one of the highly professional solutions that provides a flexible GUI and is easily operated by novice and tech users. The tool offers multiple export options and is designed to move contacts using CSV format, which is one of the most appropriate file formats for transferring large contact files.
Also, it is compatible with all previous and latest editions of Windows OS. So, you can easily run this tool to convert Outlook contacts to Gmail in a secure way. Other than that, it does not require any extra application installation while initiating or processing the task. You can instantly download the tool for free to transfer contacts from Outlook to Gmail. Now, let’s understand its working steps.
Note: If you have vCard files from Outlook or any other email clients, then it is suggested to continue with the vCard Pro Tool. The tool supports multiple other export options such as PST, CSV, Google CSV, and Outlook CSV.
Step 1: Move Contacts from Outlook to Gmail without Outlook
By performing the steps mentioned in the software, you can instantly move Outlook contacts to Gmail or Google without data modification:
- Download and launch the given utility on your existing Windows operating system of any version.
- The tool will automatically detect the file, or you can also choose to select files or folders.
- Then, you will be able to see the preview of all the Outlook contacts on the screen.
- Select the required number of contacts mentioned and then click on the Export selected option.
- Choose the Google CSV option from the list of options.
- Browse to the destination location wherever needed and click the Export button again.
- Once the procedure is complete, the tool will send a notification message on the screen; tap OK.
Step 2: Import the Converted VCF File to Gmail
Just follow the given steps to export Outlook contacts to Google contacts.
Once you get the exported file that contains Outlook contacts, you need to import it into your Gmail account. Follow the steps mentioned below-
- Open a Gmail account andnavigate to the section on the right side.
- Select Contacts from the available options.
- Now, from the Contacts section, tap Import.
- Click the “Select file” option to upload the converted VCF file from your computer.
- Once done, all the Outlook contacts will automatically be previewed on the screen of your Gmail account.
Why is the Desktop Tool Better than Manual Approach?
- The software can easily export a large number of contacts without any limitation.
- Keep contact information secure throughout the process of converting Outlook contacts to Gmail accounts.
- In addition, the tool also displays contacts with all attributes such as first name, last name, email address, phone number, etc.
- Auto-detect Outlook contacts directly from Outlook profiles stored in the local storage path.
- Furthermore, this software has the capability to upload orphaned or password-protected Outlook data files.
- You can easily run this tool on all Windows OS versions, including Windows 11, 10, 8 or below versions.
- Above all, you can operate this tool without installing the Outlook application on your PC.
Concluding Words!
This article thoroughly explains two alternative ways to export Outlook contacts to Gmail accounts. Both solutions are different from each other and are developed for different types of users. However, according to the experts, the manual way is not yet more powerful than the automated solution. For only a few contacts, you can use the free version. But for bulk contacts, it is better to continue with the expert-suggested solution. Also, you can try the free demo version to explore all features of the offline utility. So, choose the technique that best fits your requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions!
Q1: How do I export contacts from Outlook to Gmail account instantly?
- Download the tool first on your local PC.
- Add the Outlook Data File to the specified path.
- Select the Google CSV option as the export file.
- Press the Export button to initiate the process on the machine.
- Log in with your Gmail account > Contacts > Import > Select file.
- Browse to the exported file on your PC > tap the Import icon.
Q2: How do I export Outlook contact group to Gmail?
A: If you want to export Outlook contacts to Google Contacts, you need to export the contact data in CSV format. Then, you can easily import that file into Google Contacts to use the contact info in Gmail.
Q3: Does this software maintain folder hierarchy as well?
A: Yes, it is advanced software that always keeps the folder structure the same throughout the whole process on the machine.
Q4: I want to merge all the contacts into a single vCard file; is it possible with this software?
A: Yes, it is possible with this tool, as it provides you with the option to create a single vCard file by merging all the contacts at once.