How to Convert NSF to PST Format Freely?

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Want to convert NSF to PST format? Here you will find best methods to solve this issue. In this post, we’ll discuss free methods that you can use to convert NSF files into PST format hassle-free.

PST is a widely used file format, and most users prefer to have their data in this format. This will not only help you access the files easily but also make them more portable. So, let us get to the free methods to convert NSF to PST files.

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While there are enough reasons for Notes users to switch to Outlook. NSF files also cannot be accessed directly in Outlook as they both use different file formats to save their mailbox data (Lotus Notes uses NSF file format while Outlook uses PST format).
To access the whole email data, first NSF files have to be converted into PST files. So, there are primarily two methods to convert NSF to PST files – manual method and Kernel NSF to PST Converter.

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Manual Method to Convert NSF to PST Format

It is recommended to have a backup HCL Notes NSF files before performing the manual conversion, as the file can get damaged during the conversion process. The manual method to convert NSF files into PST files is a two staged process:

Stage 1: Export NSF Files to CSV

To export NSF files from Lotus Notes, perform the steps given below –

Launch IBM Lotus Notes program.
Click File > Open > Lotus Notes Application.
In the Open Application window, browse for the required NSF file and click Open. The selected NSF file gets opened.
Now, on the File menu, click Export.
On the Export dialogue box, enter the file name, file location, and saving type.
Select the Comma Separated Value format for the file.
A dialogue box CSV Export gets open. Select the required options from How much to export, Export Character Set and Detail to Incorporate sections. Click OK.
The exported data is saved in a CSV file in the defined location.

Stage II: Import CSV File into Outlook

Import the Intermediate CSV file into MS Outlook by following the steps:

Launch MS Outlook program.
On the File menu, click Open & Export, and then click Import/Export.
An Import and Export Wizard dialogue box pops up. Select Import from another program or file from the options. Click Next.
Select Comma Separated Values as file type and click Next.
Click Browse and select the path for the CSV file created earlier using the Export command of Lotus Notes. You can select the options according to your need.
Select the Outlook folder where you want to save your exported data and click Next.
Select the given checkbox in the Import a file dialogue box and click Finish. You can also change your destination or map custom fields by clicking on the same name options.

Change your destination location

The data from the “CSV file” would be imported to “MS Outlook.”

Challenges While Converting NSF to PST Manually

This method is free of cost and even helpful in some situations, but it has many limitations as well. Some of them are:

Complicated and tedious method for a novice user
Time-consuming and fails to migrate the entire data in one go.
Higher possibility of manual error is present.
If not handled correctly, might cause corruption in the NSF file
Data loss or incomplete data export is also frequent.
Selective conversion is not possible
Converts only one NSF file at a time, making the process lengthy and monotonous

Best Solution to Convert NSF to PST Securely

Kernel Lotus Notes to Outlook Converter is a powerful tool. It can easily export NSF files (from IBM/Lotus Notes, SmartCloud Notes and Domino Server) in Outlook PST or Exchange Server directly.

It has many advantages over the manual method to convert NSF to PST:

It has the facility for saving NSF file in multiple PST files.
User can also migrate specific data using advanced filters designed in the tool.
The free version of the same tool can convert and save 10 items per folder for free from each source mailbox.
Provides option for splitting your converted PST files into different sizes is also available.
Available two saving options. You can either save your files in PST format or directly on Exchange Server.
In addition, emails can be saved in different formats like TEXT, HTML, or RTF according to your requirements.

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Step-by-step Process to Convert NSF to PST Format in Bulk

Here are some simple steps to export NSF files to PST format without any kind of data loss. Let’s start the process and follow each and every step carefully!

Firstly, run the software and click Add Local NSF file(s) to select NSF files.
Browse any number of NSF files and click on Open.
After you have selected NSF files, click the Preview button to get a glimpse of the selected NSF file data.

Then click Back and further click on Migrate option to migrate all added NSF files.

View the preview of selected file item.
As soon as you click the Migrate button, there will be two saving options –
- Outlook PST
- Exchange
If you select Outlook PST as the desired saving option, then in the next step you need to browse the destination folder where you want to save the PST file. Then click OK.
Now you are provided with multiple options for selective saving:
- You can use Split PST Filter that splits files to the specified size (in MB or GB) to save data into multiple smaller PST files.
- Define a Date Range and insert the Start Date and End Date to convert NSF of that date range only.
- You can select the categories that you want to migrate within the Select Categories option.
- Provide Folder Filters details by checking/un-checking Skip folder name “All” and Skip Hidden Views and Folders options.
- Check, different fields like Exclude Folder(s) and Include Folder(s), and provide folder names, if you want to exclude or include any folder(s).
Finally, click OK.
Select the required saving format in the Saving Mode Selection window and choose from the Mark Read/Unread option. Click OK.
Upon successful saving, Kernel for Lotus Notes to Outlook software will display a confirmation message:
Now the file gets converted into PST format. You can view them now in the MS Outlook application.

Kernel for Lotus Notes to Outlook migration is a comprehensive tool that converts NSF files into PST files or saves them to Exchange Server. The tool supports all the versions of Exchange, Outlook, and Notes including the latest versions. It can be installed on Windows 10 as well.

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Summing up

If you need to convert NSF to PST format, we have outlined two free methods for you to execute. However, we advise that the manual method is not guaranteed to be 100% successful. If you encounter any issues or seek a more reliable solution, we recommend trying our user-friendly software.

Our software offers accurate and quick results without data loss. You can even try the trial version before committing to the full version. Don’t hesitate, download our recommended tool today for efficient result.