Office 365: How the PST import works

If you use Office 365 on a new computer or have it freshly installed, you can restore your emails, calendar data, contacts and more using PST import. Our practical tip tells you how to do this.

Office 365: How the PST import works

In order to be able to import a PST file, you must have exported it beforehand, i.e. you have saved your data. The file contains all the information you need if you have to move to another PC with Outlook, have to reinstall Office 365 or if you want to transfer the data to another account. To carry out the import, proceed as follows:

1. Start Outlook.
2. Click "File" in the top left.
3. Now select "Open and export" on the left, then click on "Import / Export".
4. In the next step you decide on "Import from other programs or files" and confirm with "Next".
5. Then click "Outlook Data File (PST)" and then click "Next".
6. Click the "Browse ..." button and navigate to the PST file you want to import. Select it and click "Open". If you have protected the file with a password, you will now be asked to enter it.
7. Determine how the import should handle duplicates and then click "Next".
8. Since you want to import the data into your Office 365 mailbox, select this in the next step.
9. Finally click on "Finish".

If you are currently transferring data to your new computer, you will find valuable tips on how to move safely with Office in the next practical tip.