Extract Contacts From OST File | 2 Proven Solutions

User Query: “I recently made changes to my contacts in Outlook and I need to undo the changes now. But, I didn't create a pst file before making the changes. I do hourly backups of my Outlook files to an external hard drive. Is there any way to retrieve the contacts from Outlook data files and restore them?”

If you are also curious to know about how to extract the contacts from an OST file just like the above Outlook user, continue reading the article. This article will assist you in exporting Outlook contacts from OST to PST file effortlessly. By doing this you will learn effortless solutions on how to extract contacts from pst file without Outlook.

Table of Contents:

1. Can You Extract Contacts From OST File?
2. Where Does Outlook Store Contacts?
3. How To Recover Contacts From OST File?

Can you Extract Contacts From an OST File?

The answer is yes. Any Outlook user can extract contacts from the OST file using Outlook Import/Export feature as well as using a powerful yet effective Outlook Backup and Migrate tool from various versions of Outlook including Outlook 2021, Outlook 2019, Outlook 2016, and Outlook 2010. 

Where are Outlook contacts stored in the OST file?

In Outlook, OST files are created on the local storage of the system as a replica of the Exchange mailbox. Outlook storage table (OST) files store all the Outlook data including the contacts. Thus when the Exchange server is not available or is offline, OST files allow you to have access to all data stored in the mailbox. So you can work in Outlook even if you are offline and it automatically synchronizes the data when you connect back to the internet.

Whenever you create a contact in Outlook, the Exchange Server saves it in the OST file. To extract those contacts from the OST file it needs to be converted to a portable file format. The reason is, that an OST file can only be read through the Outlook application and hence needs conversion before it can be read elsewhere.

How To Extract Contacts From OST File?

There are two different methods to retrieve contacts from an Outlook data file.

1. Use Outlook Import/Export Wizard to extract contacts from an OST file
2. Quick Method to Extract contacts from OST file using Remo Outlook Backup and Migrate tool

Note: Any information on the OST file can only be extracted onto a PST file. Hence the above methods involve taking contacts from an OST and exporting or converting them into a PST file.

1. Use Outlook Export/Import Wizard to Retrieve Contacts from OST file:

Outlook provides an in-built Export/Import feature using which you can effortlessly extract contacts from the OST file. The below-mentioned method is suitable for Outlook 2016, 2013, and 2010 users.

• First, open Outlook and then click on the File tab.

• Now, on the left side, you will see the Open & Export option click on it.

• Then, click on the Import/Export. The Import/Export Wizard will open.
• After that, select the Export to a file option and then click on Next.

• The Export dialog box will appear on your screen. Create a file type option, you have to select Outlook Data File(.pst) and then click on Next. You can also select the Comma Separated Values to export the Outlook contacts in a CSV file.

• Now, in Select the folder to export from the list, you have to select the Contacts folder and then click on the Next button.

• Then in the next window, click on the Browse button, and choose the desired location where you want to save the file.

• After that, you can select Replace duplicates with items exported, Allow duplicate items to be created, orDo not export duplicate itemsaccording to your requirements and click on Finish.

Hopefully, after following the above-mentioned steps you were able to export contacts from an OST file. However, there are certain drawbacks that come along with the manual method.

2. How to Export Contacts from a OST file with Remo?

Remo Outlook Backup and Migrate tool is a safe and secure utility to backup, restore and migrate data without any limitations in a quick and hassle-free way.

By using this tool you’ll overcome the limitations associated with the tedious Outlook Import/Export process and will be able to successfully extract your contacts from the OST file. Along with contacts you can also backup all other attributes of the mailbox including emails, attachments, notes, calendars, etc.

Extract Contacts from OST File with Remo Backup and Migrate tool

• Download and Install Remo Outlook Backup and Migrate tool.

• Launch the tool and click on Backup.

• Choose between Smart Backup and Advanced Backup on the next screen.

Smart Backup provides a complete backup of Outlook that includes all the Outlook attributes like emails, journals, contacts, notes, etc. with Outlook rules and settings.

And with the Advanced Backup option, you can choose the Outlook attributes that are important to you and take a backup of them safely.

• If you choose Smart Backup, then just click on Next to start the process. If you choose Advanced Backup then you need to select the attributes you want (in this case contacts) to backup and then click on Next.

• When the backup is completed, select View Report and extract contacts from the report.

The tool can also help you with importing OST File in Outlook.

Note: If you want to transfer or migrate Outlook to a new computer you can use the above-mentioned tool exclusively designed to migrate all attributes of Outlook effectively.

Once you back up all the attributes from Outlook; you can find the contacts in the report and export the contacts easily from here to your selected destination.

Remo Outlook Backup and Migrate tool not only allows you to backup, restore and migrate Outlook data files, but it also has 25GB of free cloud storage to store your Outlook data files as well as personal files. It also comes with the option of automated backup where you can easily set time and date to automatically back up your files and even set password protection on data files to maintain them securely.

Note: If your OST file is showcasing an error message stating “Errors have been detected in the file .ost”, then your data file is damaged and needs to be repaired.

Moreover, the Outlook inbuilt Import/Export feature won’t be successful in extracting contacts from the OST file if the OST file is orphaned or becomes inaccessible. If you are stuck with a damaged OST file and were unable to export contacts from the OST file using the manual method; do not worry.

You can also import the contacts of Outlook on your new computer, new Outlook version, new Outlook Profile, or even to a new Outlook account using the migrate option provided in the Remo Outlook Backup and Migrate tool.

Let us know if this article has helped you extract the contacts from the OST file easily in the comment section below.