How to Import Outlook Contacts to Gmail Account? A Step-by-Step Guide
Summery: In this technical article, we will discuss the solutions to import Outlook contacts to Gmail account using both manual and automatic methods. Here we will show you a step-by-step guide with complete information.
Overview of Outlook Contacts and Gmail
Outlook is free email service developed by Microsoft. It offers features such as a built-in calendar, task management, and a clean, easy-to-use interface. Outlook is available on the web (Outlook.com) and as a desktop application for Windows and macOS. Gmail is a free service developed by Google. Known for its simplicity and advanced spam filtering, Gmail also offers features such as integration with Google Calendar, Google Drive for file storage, and advanced search capabilities.
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But before that, let’s quickly look over some reasons.
Why Users Need to Migrate Outlook Contacts to Gmail Accounts?
- Convenience: Google’s Gmail platform is known for its intuitive interface, powerful search capabilities, and seamless integration with other Google services such as Google Calendar, Google Drive, and Google Contacts. By synchronizing Outlook contacts with Gmail, users can take advantage of these features.
- Cross-platform availability: Gmail and Google Contacts are cloud-based, meaning contacts can be accessed from any device connected to the internet. This is especially useful for users who need to access contacts on multiple devices or while on the go, rather than tying them to a specific Outlook desktop client.
- Sharing and Collaboration: With Gmail, users can easily share contacts with others and integrate them with Google’s collaboration tools. For example, syncing contacts with Gmail makes it easy to invite people to events or share documents using Google services.
- Sync with Android Devices: Many Android phone users use Google services for syncing. By importing Outlook contacts into Gmail, you can ensure that your contacts are synced across all your devices, including smartphones and tablets.
From the above reasons, we hope you understand the need to move contacts from Outlook to Gmail. Now, let’s see how to export Outlook contacts to Gmail account.
Read More: Import Outlook Contacts to iPhone
How to Import Outlook Contacts to Gmail? Manual Method
Migrate Outlook contacts to Gmail manually in a simple process. You can follow these steps:
Step 1: Export Contacts from Outlook
- Launch Microsoft Outlook on your computer.
- In the left pane, click people or Contacts, depending on the edition of Outlook you are using.
Export Contacts:
Outlook 2016, 2019, or Office 365:
- Click File in the upper-left corner.
- Select Open & Export from the left menu.
- Click Import/Export to open the wizard.
- Choose the Export to a file and select Next.
- Select Microsoft Excel or CSV (comma-separated values). CSV is the most supported format.
- Select Contacts and click Next.
- Choose a destination to save the file, give it a name, and hit Finish.
- Your contacts will be saved to your computer as a .csv file.
Step 2: Import CSV Contacts to Gmail Account
- In your web browser, start Gmail and sign into your Google Account.
- Press the Google Apps icon (dotted box) and click on the Contacts.
- Otherwise, you can go to Google Contacts directly.
- In Google Contacts, find the Import option in the left pane (you may need to click More to see it)
- Click on the Import.
- Tick the Choose File option and find the .csv file you exported from MS Outlook.
- Select the file and click Open.
Google will process your file and import your contacts into Gmail, which may take a few minutes depending on how many contacts you have.
Restrictions of Manual Methods
- File Format Compatibility: Outlook exports contacts as .csv files, which need to be compatible with Gmail’s import format.
- Data Loss Risk: Some contact details like profile pictures or categories may not transfer correctly.
- Manual Export: Requires manually exporting contacts from Outlook and importing them into Gmail.
- Limited Fields: Gmail may not map all Outlook fields, potentially losing certain data (e.g., multiple phone numbers).
- Size Limit: Gmail has import limits, such as a max file size for CSV imports.
Alternative Solution to Export Outlook Contacts to Gmail Account
To avoid all these issues and possible data loss, your best option is to use an automated solution like Outlook Contacts Converter Tool. Not only can you export contacts from Outlook to Gmail with ease, but it also keeps your data safe.
For this purpose, we highly recommend using vCard export software to export Outlook contacts to VCF. It is a highly rated automated solution that can export Outlook contacts to Gmail in bulk, even from a corrupted PST file. It also comes with handy features like selective conversion and multiple export file formats like MSG, PDF, and HTML with no file size limit.
Step-by-Step Process to Move Contacts from Outlook to Gmail
First we migrate Outlook contacts to Gmail, then transfer this file to a Gmail account. All the steps are as follows:
- Download the vCard Export Tool.
- Press the Add file button to choose your Outlook contacts file.
- Select the Google CSV export option. Choose the desired destination.
- Start the process to export Outlook contacts to Gmail account.
- Finally, transfer the converted Google CSV file to Gmail account.
Frequently Asked Questions by Users
Q: Will the imported contacts from Outlook retain their details in Gmail?
Yes, when you export and move contacts from Outlook to Gmail, the majority of contact details, such as names, phone numbers, email addresses, and addresses, are retained. However, some fields or custom data may not perfectly map between the two services.
Q: Can I sync my Outlook contacts with Gmail?While Gmail does not natively support syncing contacts with Outlook, you can sync them using third-party applications or tools like Google Contacts Sync or Outlook Google Calendar Sync. Alternatively, you can use the manual import-export process periodically to keep contacts updated.
Q: What if my contacts are stored in Office 365 or Outlook.com?
- Sign into an Outlook.com or Office 365 account.
- Go to People (your contacts).
- Click Manage > Export contacts.
- Download your contacts as a CSV file.
- Import the CSV file into Gmail as described above.
Q: Can I transfer only a specific contact file from Outlook to Gmail?
Yes, you can selectively export specific contacts from Outlook by organizing them into a separate folder and then exporting that folder to a CSV file. Once done, you can import only those contacts into Gmail.
Q: Will I need to manually update contacts after importing them?
Once your contacts are in Gmail, they should sync automatically with your Google account. However, if you make changes in Outlook or add new contacts, you will need to repeat the export/import process unless you use a sync tool.
Q: How do I delete contacts in Gmail?
To delete contacts in Gmail:
- Go to Google Contacts.
- Select the contacts you want to delete.
- Choose the 3 vertical dots and choose Delete.
Conclusion Thought
Contacts play an important role in both our professional and personal lives. They also help us share information and schedule meetings in real time. This article provides all the necessary information on how to import Outlook contacts to Gmail. Moreover, with the help of a blog, users can easily transfer contacts from an Outlook to Gmail account without any hassle or data loss.
