Choose wisely how to Convert OLM file to PST file format

Mac uses OLM files for two purposes i.e. as backup file and another as a data file.  I am a MAC-Outlook user and using .OLM data files.  As an IT professional I use MS-Outlook account at my work place but at home I have Mac system. Sometimes I need to share my network with Clients who are running windows system. This situation put me in trouble as both email applications use different file format to store information. Mac Outlook uses ‘.OLM’ data files and MS-Outlook uses .pst files. To access .olm files in windows system I need to convert them into .pst file format. Here is the solution of above problem:

Solution: There are three methods to do manual migration of files. 

Manual Migration

• Open your IMAP mail account and Mac Outlook
• Configure Mac-Outlook account with your IMAP account
• Now apply synchronization of IMAP(Gmail) with MS-Outlook
• Move inbox of Mac Outlook to mailbox of IMAP
• Now, move all emails 

NOTE: Wait till process complete successfully as synchronization process takes time.

Second Method: Good for those who have Exchange Server account 

MS-Outlook user can connect their Exchange Server account and access data from anywhere. To perform this connectivity, user needs to switch to online mode or I can say Cache Exchange Mode.

Third Method: Microsoft Power Shell option

Microsoft Exchange power shell has option named as ‘Export-Mailbox shell cmdlet’. By using this method user can export mailbox data in to .pst file format.

User can also export data manually by following Underwritten steps:

Export data to an Outlook for OLM file

MS-Outlook provides various options to export data from Mac data file i.e. OLM.  To proceed for export information firstly decide whether user want to filter option by Category or by Item.  Information like 

Network Info, Contact Info and many more. Steps to Export information:

• Point to File Menu choose Export
• Go for option ‘Outlook for Mac Data File’
• Apply Filter to select information
• Wisely select one option from’ to filter by category or item type’
• Now, select option ‘Items of the following types’
• After selection enable all check boxes
• Select right arrow key from keyboard and follow all instructions

INFO:  MS-Outlook will not export contact information from following

• Directory Services Account
• Microsoft Exchange Account
• Public Folders

Export Contacts in CSV file Format: By using this option user can easily transfer contacts from one system to another system. CSV files can easily be attached with emails and transfer easily.

Steps to Export Contacts

• Point to File Menu choose Export
• From Export Assistant window choose option ’Contacts from a list’
• Save the CSV file with .txt extension.

.INFO: While Exporting Contacts let me aware user Outlook will also export information like mailing address, Notes information

Information which is not Exported: Encryption certificates

Individual Items Export: Outlook provides option to Export Items individually that is really beneficial for user. 

• Move Cursor to Item List 
• Go for Item user want to Export
• In case user need to select multiple item then long press windows button and click on Items
• Now, drag the selected Items to a folder on your desktop

INFO: MS-Outlook already described file format to save exported file

File Name           File Format

 Email                     .eml

Calendars                     .ics

Contacts                     .vcf

Notes                     .html

All the above methods clearly explain that there is no direct option to convert files. Above explained steps are too much time consuming and provides no assurance of data safety also. I suggested using third party tool to perform OLM to PST file conversion. 

Few Additional Benefits of Using Third Party Software:

Safe and Risk Free Conversion: User deletes all data from their icloud when they finish their export process. During this export process of OLM file it is not mandatory their data will remain unchanged. To avoid data loss it is advised to use third party tools.

Time Management: Configuring IMAP account with Ms-Outlook is too much time consuming and hectic process. By using converter tools user can save their time as OLM to PST converter performs operation in few clicks only.

File Format: By doing manual conversion user can save converted data in to .pst file only. If user use third party software then user will get option to save converted data to different file formats like(.eml, msg format etc). 

I hope above mentioned procedure are quite helpful for you to convert OLM file to PST file format.