How to Export Outlook Mac to PST: Step-by-Step Guide

Read time: 6 minutes

Summary: Outlook for Mac Export can’t export data in PST directly, except OLM. To export Outlook Mac to PST manually, configure Outlook for Mac with an IMAP account, move your emails and folders there, configure the same IMAP account in Outlook for Windows, and export to PST. To export Outlook for Mac data to PST with no dependency on Outlook for Windows, export data to OLM file, then convert OLM files to PST using a direct solution.

You already know Outlook for Mac stores exported mailbox data in OLM, whereas Outlook for Windows uses PST. Since both OLM and PST have different file structures, dealing with different mailbox formats can be complex when you backup or switch from Outlook for Mac to Outlook for Windows.

Microsoft doesn’t provide a native feature or tool to export Outlook for Mac to PST; as a result, many users struggle during migration. Fortunately, some ways still exist to convert Outlook data to PST with no loss of emails, contacts, calendars, notes, or attachments. This guide will explain those methods. Understand each way and choose what works for you.

Why Can’t Outlook for Mac Export Directly to PST?

Users, especially new ones, expect the Export to PST button in Outlook for Mac. Unfortunately, it doesn’t exist. Here’s why:

Microsoft designed both formats for different operating systems.
Outlook for Mac stores mailbox exports in OLM format.
Outlook for Windows uses PST files.
Outlook for Mac has no built-in PST creation capability.

Things to Check Before You Export Outlook Mac to PST

A preparation-first approach is needed to minimize export failures and post-export issues like missing mailbox items or others.

Must have the latest Outlook for Mac version.
Get an IMAP account with all credentials & stable internet.
Make sure all Exchange, IMAP, or Microsoft 365 folders are fully synced.
Delete junk emails, duplicate items, as well as empty Deleted Items.
Check for space in the disk equal to your mailbox size.
Export Outlook for Mac data in OLM first for backup and keep it untouched.

Manual and Free Way to Export Outlook Mac to PST

The manual way to export Outlook for Mac to PST involves IMAP account and is completed in several stages. Here we go:

Stage 1: Configure IMAP Account in Outlook for Mac

Here in this stage, you’ll need to configure an IMAP account in Outlook for Mac. Here are the steps to follow:

Open Outlook for Mac, go to the Outlook tab, and select Preferences (or Settings).
Under Personal Settings, tap on Accounts.
Click on Add Email Account and enter your email address. Click Continue.
Enter your account password and tap on Sign in button.
Verify server settings or MFA when prompted. Also, allow permissions.
After a few minutes, the IMAP account will be configured in Outlook.

Stage 2: Transfer Emails and Folders to IMAP Account Manually

After you have successfully configured an IMAP account in Outlook for Mac, move the required emails or mailboxes to the IMAP account folder. Here is how to do this:

In your IMAP account in Outlook for Mac, create a new folder and right-click on it.
Tap on Import, then choose the folder in Mac Outlook files.
Right-click on it and select Move and Folders.
Afterward, copy and paste the Outlook for Mac emails into the newly created folder in the IMAP account.

Stage 3: Setup Same IMAP Account in Outlook for Windows

After copying email in the IMAP account folder, configure the same IMAP account in Outlook for Windows and sync all data. To do the same, follow these steps:

Open Outlook and go to File, then tap on Add Account to add an email account.
Enter your email address and click on Connect.
Provide your password and, if prompted, re-enter it again.
Now, select OK and click on Finish, and follow the further process.

Once your IMAP account is added, all data, including copies from Outlook for Mac, will be synchronized.

Stage 4: Export to PST from Outlook for Windows

In the last stage, you’ll need to export your Outlook for Mac data available in an IMAP account in Outlook for Windows. Follow these steps to export Outlook data in PST:

Open Microsoft Outlook, go to File, tap on Open & Export, and choose Import/Export
Select Export to a file and click Next.
Choose Outlook Data File (.pst) and click Next.
Select the folder or subfolder in which you’ve moved Outlook for Mac data previously, or the entire account you want to export.
Click Browse to choose the saving destination, type a file name, and click OK.
Lastly, click Finish. Outlook will export the select folder in the PST file.

Note: You may be asked to put a password in the PST file to make it more secure from unauthorized access. If you want, put a password or leave it blank.

Which is the Easiest Way to Export Outlook Mac to PST?

For a direct approach, you just need an OLM file of your Outlook for Mac data. To get this, export Outlook for Mac data to an OLM file instantly. After that get the right OLM to PST converter solution and export OLM files in PST.

You can use Kernel Mac OLM Converter to do so. It quickly gets installed on Mac OS and helps to convert OLM files directly, even large ones, with no Windows Outlook requirement. Mainly it cuts down the extra steps and keeps all of your all mailbox data along with their structure and metadata safe in the resultant PST file.

Download trial for Mac

Comparing Both Ways to Export Outlook for Mac to PST: Which One is More Viable

Manual Method	Direct Solution
Requires Outlook on both Mac and Windows OS	No dependency on Windows Outlook
Requires mailbox synchronization	No need for such a process
Time-consuming for large mailboxes	Quick for large mailboxes, even bulk ones
Risk of missing and duplicate emails	Utmost zero risk of losing data; in fact, folder structure remains intact
Doesn’t work for archived OLM files	Works with all OLM files, even archives and corrupted ones too

Final Words

Do remember that Outlook for Mac cannot generate PST files natively. First assess your mailbox and then consider the prerequisites and opt for a method to initiate the export process. The above given manual as well as professional methods are viable to export Outlook Mac to PST. For individual users with IMAP accounts and accessibility to both Windows and Mac Outlook, the manual synchronization method may be sufficient.

However, if you’re dealing with archived OLM files, large mailboxes, multiple user migrations, or you need a safer and easier approach, a dedicated conversion solution is the most smart choice to export OLM files to PST.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can Outlook for Mac create PST files directly?

A: No. Outlook for Mac only exports mailbox data as OLM files.

Q: Can I convert Outlook for Mac to PST without using Windows Outlook?

A: Yes, but only with a specialized OLM converter tool. It can directly convert Outlook for Mac to PST with no Outlook for Windows needed.

Q: How to export emails from Outlook Mac?

A: To export emails for Outlook Mac:
Go to the File menu in Outlook for Mac and tap on Export.
Select the Emails option and click Continue.
Input the file name and browse the saving location. Click Save. The export process will start.

Q: I have a few Outlook for Mac OLM files on my Windows system. Can I export them into PST?

A: Yes, you can export OLM files to PST with the appropriate Windows-supported OLM to PST Converter tool.