How to Convert PST to CSV without Outlook? Verified Solution

Understanding PST and CSV File Formats

Before converting your files, it’s helpful to know what you’re working with: When working with email data, you’ll often encounter two key file formats: PST and CSV. While both store important information, they serve very different purposes. 

Microsoft Outlook uses PST (Personal Storage Table) files as comprehensive containers that hold all your mailbox data – emails, contacts, calendars, and attachments – in a proprietary format only Outlook can natively access. 

In contrast, CSV (Comma-Separated Values) files are simple text documents that organize data in a universal table format. As a result, this format is readable by virtually any spreadsheet or database application.

PST or CSV? Decoding the Best Format for Your Data Needs

Before converting your Outlook data, it’s important to understand how these two formats differ. Below is a detailed comparison of PST (Outlook’s proprietary format) and CSV (the universal data exchange format):

Now, you better understand the difference between both file formats from basic to major ones. Understanding these core differences ensures you select the right format. Also, you can know exactly what you’re gaining when you convert PST file into CSV.

Methods to Convert PST to CSV Format

Your choice between PST and CSV ultimately comes down to one question: Do you need to keep data exclusively in Outlook, or make it available everywhere?  If yes, then it’s time to proceed with the procedure to export PST to CSV.

How do I Convert Outlook PST to CSV Manually?

For users who prefer hands-on solutions, there are two primary manual approaches to convert PST files to CSV format using Microsoft applications. These methods leverage built-in functionalities in Outlook and Excel but come with certain limitations. Below is a detailed analysis of both techniques.

01. Using Outlook’s Built-In Export Function

This approach requires Microsoft Outlook to be installed on your system before proceeding with the given steps to convert PST to CSV:

1. Open Outlook>> Navigate to File >> Open & Export >>Import/Export.
2. In the Import and Export Wizard, select “Export to a file” >> Click Next.
3. After that, choose “Comma Separated Values (CSV)”>> Click Next.
4. Select the specific folders (Inbox, Contacts, Calendar, etc.) you want to export.
5. Now, browse and select a destination folder for the CSV file.
6. Use “Map Custom Fields” to adjust column mappings and click Finish to complete the export.

Limitations

• This approach works only if Outlook is installed.
• You can perform a single-folder export at a time (no bulk conversion)
• Along with that, attachments are not included in the CSV output

02. Using Microsoft Excel for Conversion

This method can be an alternative method if Outlook is not available, but PST is accessible. In that case, you can use MS Excel to convert PST file to CSV:

1. Firstly, open Microsoft Excel>>Go to File>>Open.
2. Change the file type to “All Files (.)” and locate your PST file.
3. If prompted, select “Delimited” in the Text Import Wizard.
4. After that, choose “Comma” as the delimiter and click Next.
5. Set the data format (General, Text, Date) >> Click Finish.
6. Lastly, save the file as CSV (File >>Save As >>CSV Format).

Limitations

• You may not properly decode all PST structures.
• It is limited to simple email data (no contacts/calendar conversion).
• Apart from that, there is no support for nested folders.

Best Way to Convert PST to CSV using a Dedicated Solution

The CloudMigration PST File Converter Tool is an easy-to-use software that helps you convert Outlook PST files into CSV format, which works well with spreadsheets like Excel. You don’t need Microsoft Outlook installed to use it. The utility lets you convert emails, contacts, calendars, and more from single or multiple PST files at once. It offers features like previewing data, removing duplicate emails, filtering emails by date, and managing attachments. With a simple interface, it’s great for both beginners and experts. Additionally, it works on all Windows versions and supports all Outlook versions. You can try the demo version for free to convert up to 50 emails per folder for free. 

Simple Steps to Convert PST file to CSV 

Here are the simple steps you can follow to export your PST file to CSV format easily:

1. First, move to convert PST to CSV, launch the CloudMigration PST File Converter Tool on your system.
   
2. Then, tap on the Select File or Select Folder option to upload the PST file(s) you want to convert.
   
3. Once the file is added, you can preview the mailbox data, such as emails, contacts, calendars, etc.
   
4. Select CSV as the export format and browse the location where you want to save the converted CSV file.
   
5. If necessary, apply the bul in feature and click on the Convert button to begin the PST to CSV conversion process.
   

Note: Along with CSV, you can use this software to convert PST to MBOX and another file formats as well. 

Conclusion

By the end of this blog, you can pick the procedure according to your requirement. You don’t need to rely on MS Outlook to convert PST to CSV. Whether you’ve lost access to Outlook or prefer a faster alternative, a trusted professional solution can simplify the entire process. With tools like the CloudMigration PST File Converter, you can securely export your PST data into CSV format without data loss. It also offers flexibility by supporting multiple file formats. So, you can also convert PST to PDF for daily document purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

About The Author:

Md Shoaib

Hi, I’m Md Shoaib! I enjoy writing about technologies and helping my readers with their queries, and I’m always looking for new ways to challenge myself and grow. Professionally, I work as a Digital Marketer, where I specialize in SEO and Copywriting.

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