Finally found solution to export Outlook 2011 to PST files

[Bigmacduck]

I finally found a software that allows me to convert the Outlook for Mac 2011 back into Outlook for Windows 2010 PST files.

It requires a two step approach:

1. Open Outlook 2011 for Mac and open a finder Window. Drag a directory from the left navigation pane in Outlook 2011 and drop it into the finder window. It can take up to a few minutes without any prompt of progress window. Once finished, you find a file named directoryname.mbox in your finder window.

2. Purchase and download the software MBOX converter from SoftLay. http://www.mboxconverter.com/ The software costs 69 USD. You can test it first by downloading a demo license that extracts only 5 email files. The MBOX Converter takes the mbox file created in step 1 as the input and converts it into a PST file, with all the directory and sub-directory structure of the original folder in Outlook 2011.

Finally I have a working solution to port the Outlook 2011 message store back to Outlook 2010 if I have to. I previously used a local IMAP server, bit that process was too cumbersome and time consuming.

I hope you find this tip useful.

[Bigmacduck]

Update: I tested a bit more and converted a folder with 350 emails. The process went pretty OK, but it took 6 hours and a few emails were corrupted. So I do not recommend MBOX converter for regular use to exchange email storage between Windows and Mac based Outlook. I would still consider it for emergencies.

I rather wait for a clever company that offers either:
- OLM import into Outlook 2010 on Windows
or
- PST export for Outlook 2011 on Mac
or
- standalone OLM to PST converter.

[Monchompa]

you go to File>Export or File>import, It wont create a .pst but will make a .olm file.

[Bigmacduck]

Originally Posted by Monchompa

you go to File>Export or File>import, It wont create a .pst but will make a .olm file.

LOL - do you think the world just consists of Macs? I need the PST format to keep a copy of my Outlook Message store that is on the Mac also on the PC. Outlook 2010 does not import OLM files.

So I am using Systools OLM to PST converter now and I am quite happy with that one.

[Bigmacduck]

That brings me to my next challenge: I have several Macs and I mainly use the 11" MBA 2012 for travel and the 15" MBP 2012 in the office or at home.

For data file synchronization I am using Goodsync , which I warmly recommend as it works on and between the Mac and PC platform.

While working with PST files, the syncing between a Outlook 2010 (VM or Bootcamp) and a PC works just great in peer to peer sync mode, only the changed blocks are updated.

Now on the native Outlook 2011 on the two macs the syncing seems to be a bit trickier. The offline message store is no longer conveniently in one or several PST files, it is spread over thousands of files under the directory tree
/Users/username/Documents/Microsoft User Data/Office 2011 Identities/

Is it save to just sync this directory tree between the two macs (left to right or right too left)?

Today's save option I use is to delete the messages on the to-be-updated- mac and import a previously exported OLM file from the other mac. With a message store of 8GB, that is a pretty time consuming process. I want to do a sync in minutes, not hours.

[hallux]

Originally Posted by gladwev

There is another solution to convert or move from Outlook 2011 OLM to PST file format. You can download free software from ol1.net or read this Google site post from here https://sites.google.com/site/olmtopst/

Simple two clicks and get your PST files free of cost

According to that site it's a free TRIAL, then it's relatively expensive.

[mark1985]

Originally Posted by Bigmacduck

Update: I tested a bit more and converted a folder with 350 emails. The process went pretty OK, but it took 6 hours and a few emails were corrupted. So I do not recommend MBOX converter for regular use to exchange email storage between Windows and Mac based Outlook. I would still consider it for emergencies.

I rather wait for a clever company that offers either:
- OLM import into Outlook 2010 on Windows
or
- PST export for Outlook 2011 on Mac
or
- standalone OLM to PST converter.

Hi Bigmacduck

Last time i used this tool to convert My MAC emails, and i am happy with this tool you can also use this tool and download from pst1.org

I hope you also will get good result
Best Regard
Mark

[dianeoforegon]

If you have IMAP or Exchange account you would not need to convert files. It's only POP messages or mail you have stored under "On My Computer" folders that need to be converted.

Try the new Office365. It's $4/month. Since it's Exchange that would be a cheap option to move data back and forth or just move your account to 365.


Microsoft Office 365 Marketplace
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/office365/support.aspx

[hallux]

Originally Posted by dianeoforegon

If you have IMAP or Exchange account you would not need to convert files. It's only POP messages or mail you have stored under "On My Computer" folders that need to be converted.

Try the new Office365. It's $4/month. Since it's Exchange that would be a cheap option to move data back and forth or just move your account to 365.


Microsoft Office 365 Marketplace
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/office365/support.aspx

People with Exchange accounts still store data locally on their computers. Space on Exchange servers in companies isn't infinite, sometimes people need to keep emails that might otherwise cause them to exceed allotted space.

[Badrottie]

How about from PST to OLM for Office 2008 for Mac? I am about to leave Windows PC soon.

[jlc1978]

Originally Posted by Badrottie

How about from PST to OLM for Office 2008 for Mac? I am about to leave Windows PC soon.

Here's a free solution:

If you can connect to the Exchange server you can get the mail to the Mac that way. For files that are in local folders, move them bak to the server on the PC, get them on the Mac and move them to a local folder there. If space is an issue, do it in batches - move to server, move to Mac, move back to a local folder on the PC. This would work in the other direction (Mac -> PC) as well.

There is a program O2M that migrates .pst to Mail as well by converting the file.

[Badrottie]

Originally Posted by jlc1978

Here's a free solution:

If you can connect to the Exchange server you can get the mail to the Mac that way. For files that are in local folders, move them bak to the server on the PC, get them on the Mac and move them to a local folder there. If space is an issue, do it in batches - move to server, move to Mac, move back to a local folder on the PC. This would work in the other direction (Mac -> PC) as well.

There is a program O2M that migrates .pst to Mail as well by converting the file.

Thanks jlc1978 I do not have Exchange server I will look at O2M. I hope it is free.

[jlc1978]

Originally Posted by Badrottie

Thanks jlc1978 I do not have Exchange server I will look at O2M. I hope it is free.

Nope, it runs around $13 right now.

[hallux]

Originally Posted by jlc1978

Here's a free solution:

If you can connect to the Exchange server you can get the mail to the Mac that way. For files that are in local folders, move them bak to the server on the PC, get them on the Mac and move them to a local folder there. If space is an issue, do it in batches - move to server, move to Mac, move back to a local folder on the PC. This would work in the other direction (Mac -> PC) as well.

There is a program O2M that migrates .pst to Mail as well by converting the file.

Getting them ONTO the Mac isn't the issue. Moving back to a PC is. Yes, the process you suggest would work in that situation as well but it's somewhat cumbersome in either direction. FWIW, Outlook 2011 on the Mac CAN import a PST, it turns it into an OLM, or adds it to the OLM for the identity but you can't go BACK to PST format. Rumor is that the next version of Outlook for the Mac will allow it to work directly with PST files AS PST FILES.

[jlc1978]

Originally Posted by hallux

Getting them ONTO the Mac isn't the issue. Moving back to a PC is. Yes, the process you suggest would work in that situation as well but it's somewhat cumbersome in either direction.

While it is a bit cumbersome; at least it is a free solution and for a one time move not that bad. As a side note, the post I responded to specifically asked PC->Mac for Outlook 2008.

FWIW, Outlook 2011 on the Mac CAN import a PST, it turns it into an OLM, or adds it to the OLM for the identity but you can't go BACK to PST format. Rumor is that the next version of Outlook for the Mac will allow it to work directly with PST files AS PST FILES.

That would be a nice step; even better would be bringing the Mac version up to full functional equivalence with the Win version.

[jlc1978]

Originally Posted by Badrottie

Thanks jlc1978 I do not have Exchange server I will look at O2M. I hope it is free.

What are you using? If it's IMAP or POP and you've left the messages on the server you can simply resynch PC Outlook with that server. Alternatively, if I remember correctly, you can re-upload mail to an IMAP server by dragging and dropping the mail into the desired IMAP folder. Depending on your mail account you may need to do it in batches.

[Badrottie]

Originally Posted by jlc1978

What are you using? If it's IMAP or POP and you've left the messages on the server you can simply resynch PC Outlook with that server. Alternatively, if I remember correctly, you can re-upload mail to an IMPA server by dragging and dropping the mail into the desired IMAP folder. Depending on your mail account you may need to do it in batches.

all accounts I have are POP…I will look at it.

[henryonapple]

I really hope the never version of Outlook will have this feature built in.

[dianeoforegon]

Originally Posted by hallux

People with Exchange accounts still store data locally on their computers. Space on Exchange servers in companies isn't infinite, sometimes people need to keep emails that might otherwise cause them to exceed allotted space.

I'm suggesting 365 for moving your data not for long time use. This gets everything where IMAP only gets your mail. Office365 has a generous 25 GB limit.