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How to Import Outlook Contacts to Thunderbird Address Book?

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Published By Mohit Jha
Nimisha Ramesh
Approved By Nimisha Ramesh
Published On June 20th, 2023
Reading Time 8 Minutes Reading

Microsoft Outlook is a widely used email client for both business and personal use. Despite its popularity, there are some users who want to switch to another email client. There could be many possible reasons behind their migration such as changing the organization and using different email clients at home and at work. In all such scenarios, users also want to transfer their data items from Outlook. One such important data item is the contacts which are very important for everyone. However, when it comes to switching from Outlook, Thunderbird is the first choice that comes to users’ mind. Hence, this blog is about to learn how to import Outlook contacts to Thunderbird in the best possible way.

Reasons to Import Outlook Contacts to Thunderbird

There can be many possible reasons that let users switch from Outlook to Thunderbird account. However, in this section of the post, the major ones are covered.

  1. Mozilla Thunderbird is easily available on multiple platforms like Windows, Mac and Linux OS.
  2. It is an open source and free application that one can directly download on the machine.
  3. Moreover, most users like to manage contacts in Thunderbird because it has an easy-to-use interface and offers advanced functionality to enhance performance.
  4. Plus, it uses multiple file formats to store contacts and calendars.
  5. Also provides a chat feature that lets you stay connected on Facebook, Twitter etc.
  6. Option to customize Thunderbird’s desktop using multiple themes.
  7. Furthermore, it lets users work in an organized manner and perform search operations quickly.

Now, let’s move the technique to complete the task with step by step guide.

Method to Import Outlook Contacts to Thunderbird

There is no direct method available that you can try. Hence, you can perform the same task in two different steps, like-

  • Firstly, Export Contacts from Outlook 2021, 2019, 2016, 2013 account.
  • Then, secondly, import the file into Mozilla Thunderbird account.

Import Outlook Contacts to Thunderbird without Outlook

While using the manual solution, multiple situations arise. Thus, to overcome all such situations, we advice you to take the help of some trusted third-party tool. FreeViewer vCard Export Software is one such application that will help you out in the same.

This software will let you imports contacts without installation of the Outlook application in no time. In addition, you can run this application on any version of Microsoft Windows OS and perform the task in an efficient manner. So, using this tool you can easily export the contacts from Outlook data file into either vCard file or CSV file. Then, simply import that file into Mozilla Thunderbird account.

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Note: If you have Outlook contacts in the form of vCard file, then it is recommend to use vCard Viewer Pro Tool. The tool is easy to use and instantly export the contacts into PST, CSV, split vCard, merge vCard, Google CSV, and Yahoo CSV without facing any issue.

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Tool Steps to Transfer Address Book From Outlook Data File?

Download, install, Launch the mentioned software in your existing Windows OS system and follow the steps-

  • Browse the Outlook files directly from the system or you can also auto-detect the files with the given options, tap Add.

run outlook to thunderbird import tool

  • The entire Outlook file data will automatically be displayed on the panel. Just select the contacts files from there.
  • Then, choose the Export option as CSV or vCard from the lists.
  • Tap the Browse button to choose the destination location where you want to store your exported file on your local computer. Also, check the maintain folder hierarchy option to prevent any uncertainties.

choose csv option

  • At last, click on the Export option to initiate the process. In just a few minutes, the software will display the Export process completed successfully, click OK.

import outlook contacts to thunderbird

Manual Steps to Export Contacts from Outlook Account

Note: You must have a properly configured Outlook account on your desktop to use this manual method.

  • First of all, open Microsoft Outlook and click the File tab.
  • Next, under the Open & Export section, click on the Import/Export button.
  • Then, in the Import and Export Wizard dialog box, click on the Export to a File >> Next.
  • Here, you need to click on the Comma Separated Values from the displayed list of formats under the Create a File of the Type section.
  • After all this, from Select Folder to Export From section, you need to choose the contacts folder, click Next.
  • Then, you need to choose the destination location of your choice to save the exported file on PC, click on the Browse button. After choosing the location, click on the OK button.
  • Then in this step, click Map custom fields and map the contacts of Outlook account to exported CSV, hit the Finish button.

After exporting Outlook contacts in desired format, it’s time to import the file to Mozilla Thunderbird and complete the conversion process.

Step 2: Import Outlook Contacts to Thunderbird

In order to access the contacts of Outlook account to Mozilla Thunderbird, follow the steps mentioned below:

  • To start the process, open Thunderbird and go to the Tools menu.
  • After that, choose the Import option, then tap Import from a File option.
  • Then, click on the Import Address Book radio button in order to import the contacts files. Click on the Continue button.
  • A list of options is displayed in front of you. Simply click on the Comma or tab separated file (.csv, .tsv) option and then on the Continue button
  • Next, you need to choose the CSV file that you have saved earlier on your desktop, tap Open.
  • Then, just check the First row contains field names checkbox.
  • Here, you will need to confirm that the Outlook contacts fields match with that of the Thunderbird contact fields.
  • After that, you also have to make sure that the Primary Email line up with the email address and the Last Name line up with its corresponding name.
  • Then, select any option where you want to import the chosen data, i.e Personal Address Book, Collected Addresses or Create a new directory called “contacts-report”. Mouse-click Continue to proceed further.
  • Finally, start the process by clicking the Start Import button. That’s it you’re done, now you can access all the contacts of your Outlook account in your Thunderbird application.

Limitations of Manual Solution

  1. The manual solution discussed above to import Outlook contacts to Thunderbird is not feasible for most of the users. As, sometimes, the converted files are not suitable as the original data. This means that there may be some data integrity and formatting issues.
  2. In addition, the Outlook application installation must be on your desktop.
  3. Also, the manual approach provides only one option to export contacts from Outlook to import into Thunderbird account. On the other hand, professional software provides various file formats so that you can choose any one as per your requirement.
  4. Furthermore, if the manual process fails miserably then it can damage the Outlook data file.
  5. Another major drawback of the manual method is data loss which obviously you cannot afford.

Final Words

So, after giving a complete information on how to import Outlook contacts to Thunderbird, we are finally here. Now, it depends on your choice which solution you want to continue with. However, for your information, the manual solution described above would take a lot of time and effort. And, if you continue with a professional approach, you’ll be able to get the job done safely and in less time. Furthermore, this tool is one of the best solutions that comes with a free demo version to know more about it.

FAQ

Q- Can I see all the added contacts before conversion?

Yes, this tool allows you to preview all the contacts after adding the file to the software. Here, you can select the folder or files that are important to transfer to the Thunderbird application.

Q- How can I import Outlook contacts into Thunderbird securely?

  1. Initially, extract all contacts from Outlook.
  2. Download the tool, add the VCF file to it.
  3. Select CSV format to export contacts.
  4. Tap on the Export button to get the output file on PC.
  5. Open Thunderbird and finally import the csv file into it.

Q- Will the tool maintain the folder hierarchy while processing the export job?

Yes, this tool provides the facility to maintain folder hierarchy with uniform contact information formatting.

Q- Can I operate this tool on Windows 11 to import contacts?

Yes, it is an advanced software that works with all the latest and old versions of Windows 11, 10, 8 and below versions. So, you can work on any machine with this tool.