Read time: 4 minutes
User query: We were working with IMAP Server-based email accounts and now have moved to Office 365. Everything was great until we were successful at migrating everything except calendars to Office 365. We are now looking for a suitable way to transfer the calendars into the new environment.
IMAP has been a majorly used email server, but IMAP supports only sending and receiving of emails. In comparison to IMAP server-based email clients, Office 365 is a broad spectrum with a range of components like Exchange, SharePoint, Teams, etc. Due to the efficient integration, Office allows users with easy access to these components. This is one of the main reasons why users have already switched to Office 365.
While email migration is easier, moving calendars can be exhausting, particularly when you have multiple accounts to manage. Look through the page to find solutions to transfer IMAP calendar to Office 365.
Here is how you can migrate calendar from IMAP account to Office 365 with the help of MS Outlook.
Note: This method is only applicable via Outlook 2016 and 2013
Steps to migrate IMAP calendar to Office 365
There are two methods to migrate IMAP calendars to Office 365. Here’s the step-by-step process for each one of them:
- Drag and drop using Outlook
- Export from IMAP and import to Office 365
Drag and drop calendar items using Outlook
First launch Outlook and configure both IMAP and Office 365 account carefully and then follow the given steps:
- Open two instances of Outlook with IMAP calendar in one and Office 365 in another.
- Go to the source IMAP calendar, click View and then Change View.
- Select List to display calendar events in the form of a spreadsheet.
- Select the events you want to migrate.
- Drag the selected events and drop them to the Office 365 calendar.
Migrate IMAP calendar using Outlook Import/Export
In this method too, we’ll configure both accounts in Outlook. Here is the step-by-step explanation for importing calendars:
- Open Outlook and go to File > Open & Export > Import/Export.
- Click Export to a File and then Next.
- Select Outlook Data File (.pst) and click Next.
- Select the Calendar folder from the IMAP mailbox and click Next.
- Provide saving destination and click Finish.
Once file is exported, again go to Import/Export tab, and select Import from another program or file > Outlook Data File (.pst). Select the exported PST from the saved location and import it to Office 365 account to access the calendar entries.
Limitations of this method
With this approach, you can effortlessly transfer IMAP calendar to Office 365. Unfortunately, not all IMAP email clients offer the option to export calendars independently. Moreover, please note that this method exclusively applies to Outlook 2016 and 2013 and is usable solely if you have configured MS Outlook with your Office 365 account.
Conclusion
Even though the protocol itself limits the migration of IMAP calendar and contact items, these workarounds will help you migrate IMAP calendar to Office 365. Moreover, to transfer IMAP emails to Office 365, use the professional IMAP to O365 migration tool. It acts as a quick solution to move emails even without any technical expertise.
Frequently Asked Questions
A. No, with the manual methods, you can’t migrate IMAP calendar to Office 365 selectively. It allows migration of complete calendar folder from the mailbox.
A. During manual transfer, recurring events are lost during the process, and you’ll need to create them manually in the destination to avoid missing them.
