You cannot import OLM files from Mac Outlook to Windows Outlook without converting the OLM files to Windows Outlook supported PST format. Since both OS stores Outlook mailbox data in different file formats, which are incompatible to each other. In this post, we have discussed manual methods to convert OLM file to PST format, offering step-by-step guide for easy conversion and then migration from Outlook for Mac to Windows Outlook.
When you choose email data migration from Outlook for Mac to Outlook for Windows, you are required to convert the Mac Outlook data (.olm) to Windows Outlook supported (.pst) file format. There are no two ways to move data between these two Outlook platforms. Since, all the items like emails, contacts, calendar, notes, etc. in Mac Outlook are stored in OLM format, you need to convert these items from Mac Outlook to Windows Outlook supported PST file.
Why Do We Need to Move Outlook Email from Mac to Windows?
PST file, used by Windows Outlook is more easy to backup and migrate compared to OLM format used by Mac Outlook to store mailbox data. Here are some important reasons that lead users to convert OLM file to PST format and move Outlook email from Mac to Windows.
Accessibility: PST file allows user to access their mailbox data on any device, which is not possible with OLM files since you can access them only on Mac.
Backup: Since mailbox items are important data, users are more likely to keep backup of their mailbox items. Therefore, PST file is a good option, as it is compatible to Mac and Windows system.
Compatibility: PST file is a more user-friendly, as it is compatible with most of the email clients, whereas OLM file is only supported by Mac Outlook.
View OLM files on Windows: To access any OLM file, whether connected or not connected to Outlook, needs to be converted to PST format to view it on Windows system.
How to manually export Outlook for Mac data to Windows Outlook?
Note: To export email data from Mac Outlook, you are required to create Outlook data folders which shall not exceed 2GB in size. In case of larger data, you can split it into two or more folders, within 2GB limit.
To proceed further, follow these steps:
To start the process, you are first required to transfer Outlook emails to OLM files. Follow the steps given below to export Outlook mails to OLM file:
- Open Outlook for Mac and click on ‘Export’.
- Now, select the files that you want to migrate.
- Select the name and location to save the file.
- Once the process is complete, the Outlook mail will be saved as .olm files at the selected location.
- Add your Gmail account to your Outlook by filling your credentials.
To export your Outlook OLM data to Gmail, you are required to follow the steps given below to complete the process.
- Open Outlook for Mac, and then right-click on the Gmail folder to create a new folder.
- Within this folder, open the Tool tab and choose Import.
- Now, select the folders that you want to export and click on Move.
- Open Gmail folder and copy the files you imported in the New folder.
This will add all the selected files, folders and emails to the Gmail folder.
In the final phase of exporting OLM data to Windows Outlook PST format, users need to transfer the OLM data from Gmail to Outlook PST.
- Launch Windows Outlook and configure the Gmail account that you have set up in Mac Outlook.
- Now, open file – Import/Export.
- Select Outlook file .pst and click Next.
- Now, select Gmail folder containing OLM file data and click Next.
- Choose the final location and click ‘Finish’. Your Outlook files have been migrated from Mac to Windows successfully.
This whole manual process of exporting Mac Outlook data to Outlook for Windows is complex and tiresome to execute. Therefore, it will be highly advisable to use a software specialized in converting OLM files into PST format like Stellar Converter for OLM.
How Stellar Converter for OLM converts Mac Outlook OLM data to Windows Outlook PST format?
The software is specifically designed to meet the demand of users who want an easy way to convert OLM files to PST files for migration purpose. Stellar converter for OLM offers the user an effective and reliable software tool to manage OLM files and convert them into PST format.
You can follow the mentioned steps given below to know how easily, in a few steps, Stellar Converter for OLM converts the Mac Outlook OLM data into PST format.
- Install and launch the software on your Window PC.
- Open the software and select the OLM file that you want to convert.
- After your files are converted, you can use the Preview tool to view emails, attachment and other items.
- From multiple file format options, select PST and save it.
Conclusion:
There are some limitations with Outlook for Mac, and therefore, a lot of users want to migrate from Mac Outlook to Windows Outlook. But, switching from one platform to another isn’t easy, if not impossible. There are a few methods to convert Outlook for Mac to Outlook for Windows. The manual method using IMAP to convert OLM files into PST files to migrate them to Windows Outlook is quite complex and tedious. However, the smartest method to convert OLM files to PST format is Stellar Converter for OLM. It is safe, secure and offers 100% success result when it comes to OLM to PST conversion. It is one of the best third-party online software, an alternative method to complicated manual method of converting OLM data to PST format.