Read time 7 minutes
ANSI PST files are Outlook data files that are created with MS Outlook 97-2002 versions. The file size limit for ANSI PST is 2GB, and these files don’t support multilingual data. However, with the release of MS Outlook 2003 Microsoft started offering greater storage capacity for Outlook data files. The Unicode PST files in in Outlook 2003 and higher versions supports multilingual data too.
Creating an ANSI PST file is very easy. The process of creating ANSI PST files in Outlook 2016, 2013, and 2010 is almost similar. Follow the below steps to create an ANSI PST file.
- Launch Outlook on your system, and select “New Items” from the home tab. Go to “More items” and select “Outlook Data file.”
- Expand the “Save as type” section, select “Outlook 97-2002” data file, and click “OK.”
This way you can create an ANSI PST file. And the process of creating ANSI PST file is similar in Outlook 2010 and 2013 with the same steps.
Converting an ANSI PST to Unicode PST
Although creating an ANSI PST file is easy, converting it to a Unicode PST is a bit complicated. However, several methods can be used to convert an ANSI PST to Unicode PST. Here, we have mentioned two of them.
- Create a new Unicode PST and import data from ANSI PST
- Convert ANSI PST to Unicode PST using Kernel for Outlook PST
One of the easiest methods to convert an ANSI PST to Unicode PST is to create a new PST file and import data from the ANSI PST file. To do this follow the below steps;
- Open any version of MS Outlook and click “New Items,” go to “More Items” and select “Outlook data file.” Give a name to the file and save this file at the desired location.
- Now, to import data from ANSI PST, click on the file tab and select “Import and Export” option.
- Select “Import from another program or file” in the opened wizard and click “Next.”
- Select “Outlook data file” in the next tab and click “Next.”
- Browse the ANSI PST file from the system and click “Open.”
- Click “Finish” to complete the process. The ANSI PST data has been imported to Unicode PST.
This way you can convert an ANSI PST to a Unicode PST file.
Kernel for PST Repair is an advanced utility that can help users to repair a corrupt/damaged PST and convert it to various formats. The specialty of this tool is that it can also be used to convert ANSI PST file to Unicode PST files. Here is how you can convert ANSI PST to Unicode PST.
- Download the tool and install on your system.
- After launching the tool, a welcome window will appear on the screen. Browse the ANSI PST file and click “Next.”
- Read the instructions of the tool and click “Finish” to start the repairing process.
- Once the file is repaired, you’ll be able to see all its folders in the left pane of the tool.
- To convert/save this file to Unicode PST, click the “Save” button or select “PST File” from the saving options on the right side of the tool. A new wizard will appear on the screen, select “PST file (MS Outlook)” and click “Next.”
- Now, apply the filters on the file, such as From, To, Subject, Folder Name, Item Type, and Date Range. Click “Next” to proceed.
- In the next step if you want to split the PST file, then select the required splitting option and click “Next.”
- Browse the file saving location and click “Finish.”
- Once the file is saved, you’ll receive a notification displaying “New file has been saved successfully.”
Note: The software is compatible with all versions of Outlook including Outlook 97 and 2000.
This way you can easily convert an ANSI PST file to Unicode PST with the help of tool.
Conclusion
You can convert ASNI PST to Unicode PST using Outlook 2016/2013/2010 versions. Also, there is a professional tool that can help you convert an ANSI PST to Unicode PST file.