Home > Utility Tools > 5 Easy Steps to Export Outlook Contacts to CSV

5 Easy Steps to Export Outlook Contacts to CSV

Updated on November 04, 2025 Preview 1.4K Preview 0
share it facebook share it Twitter
No robots used, this article has been written and edited by our team under strict editorial guidelines.
avatar
Written by Sarah Miller
avatar
Approved by Adrian Li

“Hi, I use the Outlook email app on my MacBook pro. I am trying to export email contacts as a .csv file but the default download does it as .olm only? How can i download the .csv file?” (From Apple Community)

If you want to know export Outlook contacts to CSV, you should read this article. This article is about two practical methods to download the contacts list from Outlook to a .csv file.

export outlook contacts to csv

Method 1. The Best Way to Export Outlook Contacts to a CSV File

One of the good ways to export Outlook contacts to CSV is to use Cisdem ContactsMate. This app is a contacts management tool for Mac and Windows. It can be used to export Outlook contacts to common formats, for example, CSV, vCard, Excel, etc.

It is easy to use this app to export contacts from Outlook to a CSV file. You only need a few steps to do the export process.

Export Outlook Contacts to CSV on Mac

(Windows users can scroll down to find the steps.)

Step 1. Download and run the application on your Mac. 

Free Download 

export outlook contacts to csv via contactsmate step 1

Step 2. Click “Add Account” at the top left, select Exchange and sign in.

In the Internet Accounts list, choose Exchange and sign in using your Outlook account.

export outlook contacts to csv via contactsmate step 2

Step 3. Check the box next to Contacts. 

Select the Apps that you want to use with Outlook account, tick the Contacts box and click Done.

export outlook contacts to csv via contactsmate step 3

Step 4. Click the  button next to the Updated contacts detected message.

Quit and reopen this App, your Outlook contacts are uploaded to this contacts manager.

export outlook contacts to csv via contactsmate step

Step 5. Export contacts to CSV (Outlook) format.

Choose the Outlook group. Right-click and select Export. In the pop-up window, select “CSV(Outlook)” as the target format. Click Save.

export outlook contacts to csv via contactsmate step 5

After these five simple steps, your Outlook contacts are exported to a CSV file.

 

Export Outlook Contacts to CSV on Windows PC

Step 1. Download and install Cisdem ContactsMate.

Free Download Windows 10 or later

Step 2. When you open it, you will be prompted to add your email account. Add your Outlook account.

add account

Step 3. Now your Outlook contacts sync with ContactsMate. Click Manage contacts in the top right corner and choose Export contacts.

Manage contacts

Step 4. In the Export contacts dialog, click the Export as dropdown menu and choose CSV.

Export contacts dialog

Step 5. Click the Export CSV platform dropdown menu. Choose the option you need. For example, if you are going to import the CSV file to Shutterfly, choose Shutterfly CSV.

 

Method 2. Export Outlook contacts to CSV manually

Things You Need to Know Before Exporting Outlook Contacts to CSV Manually

Comparing with using a contacts tool, exporting Outlook contacts to CSV manually is complicated. To save your time, we collect some key points that you need to know at first. 

1. Different versions of Outlook need different steps.

In this article, the steps to copy Outlook contacts to CSV for the Outlook versions below are introduced:

  • Outlook 2010
  • Outlook 2013, Outlook 2016, Outlook 2019
  • The web platform, Outlook.com

If you make a mistake on your Outlook version, you will not export Outlook contacts to CSV successfully.

2. By taking manual steps, you won’t get a nicely-formatted CSV file as you expected.

Exporting Outlook contacts to CSV manually is not an easy thing. One of the biggest disadvantage is that, the exported CSV file is totally a big mess. 

There are a lot of empty cells. Every line has dozens of items and you have to move your mouse to right to see the whole data. It takes you hours to adjust the CSV file. 

export to csv manually

3. You may export incomplete data by manual method.

Some users who manually export Outlook contacts to CSV said that the exported data is incomplete. In the exported CSV file, some information is missing.

4. Repeating the export process leads to duplicate contacts.

The reason why most of people export Outlook contacts to CSV is that they want to upload contacts to other programs, like Gmail, Yahoo.

As long as new contacts are added to your Outlook account, you may repeat the export process all the time to migrate the new contacts to your preferred email platforms.

By doing so, duplicate contacts are definitely generated. Duplicate contacts are always annoying and intolerable, especially for these who want to keep their contacts organized.

Export Outlook 2010 Contacts to CSV Manually

1. Open Outlook 2010. Go to File menu.

outlook 2010 export contacts to csv step 1

2. Go to options.

outlook 2010 export contacts to csv step 2

3. In the new window, click Advanced tab.

outlook 2010 export contacts to csv step 3

4. Under the Export section, click Export.

outlook 2010 export contacts to csv step 4

5. In “Import and Export Wizard”, select “Export to a file” option, and click Next.

outlook 2010 export contacts to csv step 5

6. Choose Comma Separated Values (Windows) in the list and then click Next.

outlook 2010 export contacts to csv step

7. Select a folder that you plan to export from. To export all contacts, just click on “Contacts”, and then click Next.

outlook 2010 export contacts to csv step 7

8. Click Browse and find a destination folder to store the CSV file. Type a name for the file. Then click OK.

outlook 2010 export contacts to csv step

9. In the Export to a File window, click Next.

10. Click Finish.

outlook 2010 export contacts to csv step 10

Export Outlook Contacts of Newer Versions to CSV manually (including Outlook 2013, Outlook 2016, and Outlook 2019)

1. In Outlook 2013, Outlook 2016, Outlook 2019, click the File tab.

outlook newer version export contacts to csv step 1

2. Select Open & Export and go to Import/Export.

outlook newer version export contacts to csv step 2

3. Select Export to a file. Click Next.

outlook newer version export contacts to csv step 3

4. Choose Comma Separated Values as target format. Click Next. 

outlook newer version export contacts to csv step 4

5. Select Contacts option and click Next.

outlook newer version export contacts to csv step 5

6. Name the file. Click OK.

outlook newer version export contacts to csv step 6

7. Click Browse to find a location on your computer to save the file.

outlook newer version export contacts to csv step 7

8. Check the box to confirm your operation. Click Finish to start the exporting process.

outlook newer version export contacts to csv step 8

How to Export Contacts List to CSV from Outlook.com

1. Go to Outlook.com

2. Sign in to access your Outlook.

3. Click the application icon at the top left corner.

export from outlook.com step 3

4. Select People in the menu list.

export from outlook.com step 4

5. Select the contacts you need one by one or directly select All contacts.

export from outlook.com step 5

6. Click Manage in the right corner of the page. And go to Export contacts option.

export from outlook.com step 6

7. In the pop-up window, click Export.

export from outlook.com step 7

FAQs

Can I export an Outlook contact group to CSV?

Yes, with Cisdem ContactsMate, you can export an Outlook contact group to CSV easily. Simply right-click on the contact group you wish to export. Click Export. Choose CSV as the export format.

What are the benefits of using ContactsMate to export Outlook contacts?

1. With it, you can export Outlook contacts to CSV directly, without conversion or manually adjustment.

2. It let you export Outlook contacts to CSV without duplicate contacts.

3. It also helps find problematic contacts, such as incomplete name, invalid email address.

4. Let you export Outlook contacts to 8 different formats, such as CSV, Excel, vCard, and more.

5. This app is compatible with both Windows and Mac.

Summary

Comparing with downloading CSV file manually, it is more efficient to use Cisdem ContactsMate to export Outlook contacts to .csv file. The export process can be finished with only 5 easy steps. The CSV(Outlook) export format is unique. What’s more, it has many awesome and fantastic features, including backup contacts with 1 click, directly migrate Outlook contacts to other Apps.

About the authors
avatar
Written by Sarah Miller

With a passion for tech and writing, Sarah joined Cisdem, where she focuses on creating articles about using utility tools to enhance file management and simplify contact management.

avatar
Approved by Adrian Li

Adrian Li is Cisdem’s Chief Engineer and serves as the editorial advisor for Duplicate Finder and ContactsMate. His work and insights have been featured in leading tech publications such as Fossbytes, TUAW, Redmond Pie, SafetyDetectives, and BestForAndroid.

Loved the article, share!
Comments (0) Leave a Reply

Name *

Comment *