How to import/export PST e-mail files in Outlook 2007

How to import/export PST e-mail files in Outlook 2007

Outlook mailbox data (that’s e-mails, contacts, calendar and tasks) can be backed-up (or exported) into what are known as PST files. Conversely, these PST files can also be imported into Outlook, an operation which is useful for restoring previously backed-up e-mail accounts.

How to backup / export Outlook data to a PST file

1. Within Outlook’s File menu, choose Import and Export
2. Select ‘Export to a file’ and click Next
3. Select ‘Personal Folder File (.pst)’ and click Next
4. To back up the entire mailbox you must highlight ‘Mailbox – [User Name]’ and check the ‘Include subfolders’ box. Alternatively, you can select individual folders.
5. Click Next.
6. Click the Browse button and choose the location where you would like to export the PST file (nb. do not choose the Desktop).
7. Click Finish, then click OK
8. Outlook will now backup/export to a PST file in your chosen location.

How to import Outlook data from a PST file

1. Within Outlook’s File menu, choose Import and Export
2. Select ‘Import from another program or file’ and click Next
3. Select ‘Personal Folder File (.pst)’ and click Next
4. Click the Browse button and locate the PST file you would like to import.
5. Click Next.
6. Now select the most appropriate import location. Assuming you wish to import the data to the place in Outlook it was originally extracted from you should:
   1. Highlight ‘Personal Folders’
   2. Check ‘Include subfolders’
   3. Check ‘Import items into the same folder in:
   4. Select ‘Mailbox – [User Name]’ in the drop down box
7. Click Finish
8. Outlook will now import the data from the PST file into Outlook.

 [Keywords: Import, Export, Email files, Backup, Outlook 2007]