Microsoft Office 365 offers many benefits and has immense features. One of the biggest advantages of using Office 365 is the ability to work from anywhere as long as you have an internet connection. That’s why many businesses and organizations are opting for Office 365 over MS Outlook and they want to upload PST to Office 365. So, if you are trying to learn how you can do this task, this article will help you to import PST to Office 365. In addition, I will also open PST in Office 365 by using the third-party utility, Sysinfo Office 365 Backup Tool.
Before moving to the manual techniques to transfer Outlook PST to Office 365, we would cover the major differences between PST and O365.
Outlook PST vs Office 365- Major Differences
| Basis | Outlook PST files | Microsoft Office 365 |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Personal Storage Table (PST) file format that stores copies of calendar events, messages, journals, and many more. | Microsoft Office 365 is a product family of collaboration, cloud-based services, and productivity software which is owned by Microsoft. |
| Used by other platforms | Microsoft Exchange Client, Microsoft Outlook, and Windows Messaging opt PST file formats. | One drive, Outlook.com, and Microsoft Teams are the applications that come under Office 365. |
| Visible, accessible, and searchable | PST files of MS Outlook are easily accessible, visible, and searchable by users. | Office 365 supports Outlook PST files, but they are not accessible, visible, and searchable in the mobile version or web version of MS Outlook. |
Here, I have mentioned the differences between Outlook PST files and MS Office 365. Furthermore, I will discuss what are the reasons to import PST into O365.
Need to Move PST to Office 365
There are several reasons responsible to migrate PST to office 365, some of which are mentioned below:
- If you want to migrate any organization email to Office 365, you have to import PST files to user mailboxes.
- Users can use the Import feature to filter the items in PST files that actually get imported to the target mailboxes. It will allow trimming of the data that is imported by setting filters.
- When you are trying to Import data to Office 365 will help to protect against data loss. The data exported to Office 365 inherits the features of Exchange Online.
- Office 365 email data is available to users from all devices because it stores in the cloud.
Here, you have seen that I have discussed a few reasons why users are trying to import PST file to Office 365. In addition, I will discuss the import process of PST files to Office 365.
Methods to Import PST Emails with Attachments to Office 365
In this section, I will perform the methods manually and professionally. You just need to follow and understand the steps to move PST to Office 365. The manual procedure is distributed into 5 major steps. You can explore both methods below.
- Manual Importing of Outlook PST to Office 365
- Upload PST to Office 365 in the cloud platform
- Create a PST Import Job and Upload Data in Exchange Online
- Install the Azure AzCopy utility and use SAS URL
- Create a CSV file to move the PST file
- Create PST import mapping file
- Automated Software for PST to Office 365 Migration
- Office 365 Backup Tool
Here, I have just given you an overview of the steps of the manual method and additionally, I will mention the professional method to import PST to Office 365 easily.
5 Major Steps for Importing Outlook PST to Office 365
You will have to apply the 5 major steps to move all emails from PST to O365. Check out the five major steps and implement them carefully without skipping any steps.
Step 1: Upload PST to Office 365 in The Cloud Platform
Under this section, first of all, I will import PST file to Office 365 in the cloud platform. Just follow and understand each step.
- First, log in to your Office 365 Admin Account > Admin Center > Exchange.
- After that, the new dialogue box of Exchange Admin Center will open, in this window, click on the Permissions then a list will appear, and choose Organization Management > + sign > Mailbox Import Export > Add> OK.
- Moving ahead, just go back to the Organization Management window > Mailbox Import Export > Save.
- Now, navigate to the Admin Center > Setup > Data Migration > Upload PST file.
I have successfully completed the first step to upload PST to Office 365 in the Cloud Platform. Moving ahead, I will include other steps for your better understanding.
Step 2: Create a PST Import Job and Upload Data in Exchange Online
In this section, I will guide you on how to create a PST Import Job and Upload Data in Exchange Online. Just follow the steps mentioned below.
- After that, click on the upload PST file that you need to create a job by clicking on New Import Job > write Job Name > Next.
- Moving ahead, check on the Upload your data > NEXT.
I have successfully finished the second step to import PST to office 365 for creating a PST import job and uploading data in Exchange Online.
Step 3: Install the Azure AzCopy Utility And Use SAS URL
- Once you click the next button, you will see a new dialogue box on your screen.
- Now, click on the Show Network Upload SAS URL, copy the URL on the clipboard and paste it to the notepad. When it is done, go to Download Azure AzCopy and install the utility.
- After installing, just launch the application and type the given command.
- After that, press the Enter key on your keyboard.
Note: While doing this process you have to give the sharing permission of your file or folder where the PST file is saved. Also, copy the network path.
AzCopy.exe/Source:\\Network Path/Dest:” SAS URL”/V: give the location to save log file\AzCopy.log/Y
Step 4: Create a CSV File to Move the PST File
In this section, I will create a CSV file to move the PST file. You just need to follow and understand as mentioned below.
- After storing your data in the Azure tool, you need to create a CSV file to migrate PST to Office 365 mailbox items.
- Navigate to the Import Data window and check the below options and click on the Next button.
I have completed all four steps to import PST to Office 365 simply. The final and last step is to Create a PST import mapping file.
Step 5: Create PST Import Mapping File
- After clicking the next button, a new dialogue box will appear on your screen.
- Here, you need to upload the created CSV file and click on the Select mapping file option.
- Now, click on the Validate button, just click on the Save button.
- Afterward, the PST file will successfully move to Office 365 account, and then click Close.
Here, you can see I have successfully completed all steps of the manual method to import PST to Office 365. In the above method, you can see that manual procedure is not easy for a non-technical person and it also involves many steps. So, don’t worry, I have another solution for you all. You can simply opt for the third-party tool that helps to migrate PST file to Office 365. In the next section, I am going to discuss a reliable solution for all the users.
Use Office 365 Backup Tool
Sysinfo Office 365 Backup tool helps to import PST to Office 365 directly and efficiently. This utility has two types of conversion modes, single files or multiple files, and provides the hierarchy structural folder for the users. You can simply do the conversion from a PST file to Office 365 without losing your crucial data. In the next paragraph, I will mention the steps to move PST to Office 365 for your better understanding.
Steps to Import PST to Office 365
- Launch the Office 365 Backup Tool and choose the PST file option.
- Then click on the Select Path button and Add the PST File that you want to import to Office 365
- Now click on the Next button and the Office 365 Login wizard opens.
- Authenticate the Office 365 Login and then Choose the destination folder in Office 365 among Mailbox, Public Folder, and Online Archive.
- Finally, click on the Convert button and all your PST file emails will be imported to your Office 365 Mailbox, Online Archive, or Public Folder.
You have all the three folders in Office 365 to which you can easily import the PST file emails with the help of this software
Final Words
In this blog, I have described how you can import PST File to Office 365 Exchange Online. The two possible procedures highlighted above guide you to upload PST file emails into Office 365. You can choose any one of them at your convenience and get your task done.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is it possible to open a PST file in Office 365?
Yes, it is possible to open a PST file in Office 365. Just follow the below steps.
- Transfer PST file to Office 365 in the cloud platform
- Create a PST Import Job and Upload Data in Exchange Online
- Download the Azure AzCopy utility and use SAS URL
- Create a CSV file to move the PST file
- Create PST import mapping file
2. How to Upload PST to Office 365 without Outlook?
You can upload the PST file to Office 365 using the Office 365 Backup Tool. You will have to Launch the Office 365 Importer>Choose PST File>Authenticate Office 365 Login>Select Among Mailbox, Online Archive, Public Folder>Import PST File.
