Export Outlook Contacts: Convert PST File to VCF Easily

Why PST isn’t Default Interoperable?

The PST format is highly efficient in Microsoft’s environment, but not universally because:

• VCF (Virtual Contact File) serves as the global standard for swift cross-device contact exchange.
• Contacts can be directly exported from Outlook, but changing to VCF needs extra measures.
• Bulk contact transfers often fail with MS Outlook due to the limitations of exported formats.
• Sometimes, the PST files get orphaned, and it becomes necessary to extract contacts. So, .vcf is the ideal format.

To understand it better, take a look at this real-world scenario:

“A sales team needed to migrate 2,500+ contacts stored in PST files to mobile devices. Since their devices were synced via iCloud and Google Contacts. With the convert PST to VCF approach, they saved hours of manual entry and received faster client outreach across platforms.”

How to Convert PST Contacts to VCF?

There is one manual method and another professional tool to change PST to VCF. We will discuss both methods here, one by one, with their stepwise guide, beneficial features, and limitations. The process is straightforward and can be easily executed with a clear understanding.

Method 1: Manually Convert Outlook PST to VCF File

If you have a PST file within MS Outlook, then simply follow these steps and perform the PST to VCF conversion:

1. Open Outlook and from the icons at the bottom, open Contacts.
2. Then, mark the contacts you need to include in the conversion process.
3. Further, from File, press Save As and set the file type to vCard files (*.vcf).
4. Finally, repeat the process for each contact individually for the export.

Method 2: Export PST Using Import & Export in Outlook

First, Export Contacts From Outlook to CSV:

1. Import your PST into MS Outlook and then go to the File.
2. Next, use the ‘Open & Export’ tab, followed by ‘Import-Export’ for transfer.
3. Further, in the wizard dialog, pick Export in a file and tap Next.
4. Choose ‘CSV’ as the format, continue, and select the contacts in PST file.
5. Finally, browse a destination to save it and click Finish to create a CSV.

Now, Convert PST Contacts to VCF:

1. Open Google Contacts and, using the Import option, add the CSV into it.
2. Later, click on the Export icon in the top-right corner.
3. After selecting the vCard for Android or iOS, hit Export to finalize.

Your VCF file is downloaded and saved locally on your system.

Drawbacks of the Manual Method:

• Time-consuming and requires multiple steps and two different applications.
• Ideal for export of 10-15 contacts at the maximum, and not bulk contact files.
• It is possible that the data is altered or missed during the export.
• There are no options for customization of the resultant .vcf file.

Thus, it can be quite difficult at times for users to move the contacts with this procedure. But don’t worry, we have a much simpler alternative for the contacts export from Outlook PST to VCF.

Conventional Solution to Convert PST Contacts to VCF

For bulk conversions, especially with 100s or even 1000s of contacts, the professional SysInfo PST Converter Tool has been developed. It helps export large data volumes all at once in the minimum possible time without affecting data integrity or structure.

Additionally, you can provide ANSI and UNICODE PSTs for all Outlook versions, and it is easy to use for all users. Moreover, this exceptional tool is ideal for organizations planning CRM migrations, HR contact archiving, or platform shifts on any Windows/Mac device.

Steps to Conveniently Convert PST to vCard

1. Run the PST to VCF File Conversion Utility and click the Next button.
2. By picking the contact (.pst) and importing it into the utility, proceed.
3. Click Next, and the file will be loaded. In the tree format, preview them.
4. Further, identify and select the contacts folder within PST, then press ‘Next’.
5. Afterward, pick the VCF format from the list and opt for specific filters.
6. Choose your desired path to save, and at last, click Convert to bulk change the PST files at once.

Conclusion

If your contacts are locked within an Outlook PST file and you need to access them elsewhere, then conversion to VCF is the best choice. With the convert PST contacts to VCF option, you get access to multi-platform usability, team sharing, sync, and more. This blog states a handful manual method and also a reliable automated tool to deal with larger address books with accuracy.

Frequently Asked Questions

About The Author:

Suman Rawat

Suman Rawat is a technical content writer and expert in the fields of email migration, data recovery, and email backup. Her passion for helping people has led her to resolve many user queries related to data conversion and cloud backup.