How to Import Outlook Contacts to Thunderbird Application?

In this blog, we will explain the perfect methods available to import Outlook contacts to Thunderbird application. Microsoft Outlook is one of the popular and widely used email platforms that manage the details of contacts and Address Book. On the basis of the changing circumstances, many users may require to switch from MS Outlook to a more cost-effective email client such as Mozilla Thunderbird. There are conventional manual techniques available to convert PST to MBOX. PST (Personal Storage Table) file format is supported by the Outlook program to save the mailbox data. In this blog, we will discuss the manual as well as the professional PST File Converter solution.

Let’s now understand why is there a need to export PST to MBOX file format.

Reasons to Import Outlook Contacts to Thunderbird

There are numerous reasons for which users need to migrate Outlook contacts to Thunderbird email client. Here we have mentioned a few reasons and advantages of Thunderbird over Outlook for a better understanding of the users.

• Mozilla Thunderbird is an open-source email client. Users can easily download new Windows OS versions without any difficulties.
• Thunderbird offers chat features for connecting with the users on Facebook, Twitter, or any other social networking platform.
• A Cost-effective email service provider.

These are some advantages of MS Outlook over the other email clients. Now let’s proceed ahead to different methods for conversion.

Manual Method to Import Outlook Contacts to Thunderbird

We have divided the manual approach to convert PST to MBOX file format into two steps for a better understanding of the users. Also, it is suggested to create a duplicate copy of the original data before starting the manual steps as there might be some risk of data loss due to human errors. Follow the steps provided below.

1. Export Outlook contacts to CSV.
2. Import CSV File into Thunderbird.

Export Outlook contacts to CSV

1. Launch MS Outlook on your system.
2. Click on the File tab.
3. Press on the Options.
4. Click on the Advanced in Options tab.
5. Click on the Export in the Export window.
6. Now click on the Export to a file in the next window.
7. Select the Comma Separated Value (.csv) under create a file type.
8. Now select the folder of Contacts to export.
9. Browse to the location to store the resultant file.

Import CSV File into Thunderbird

Follow the below steps to export the resultant CSV files to Microsoft Outlook.

• Open the Thunderbird program and click Tools.
• Select the Import option from the dropdown.
• Now press the radio button associated with Address Book.
• Click on the Next button.
• Navigate to the path where you have saved the Outlook contact folders.
• Double click on the CSV file.
• Now match the Outlook contacts fields to the Thunderbird field.
• Click on Ok once the transferring of Outlook contacts to Thunderbird is completed.

Drawbacks

• More time-consuming process.
• Good technical knowledge is required.
• High risk of data loss.

Professional Method to Import Outlook Contacts to Thunderbird

As an alternative to the conventional manual approach to convert PST to Thunderbird without Outlook installation required, users are suggested to use the professional automated solution. The professional methods are considered to be more safe and quick in comparison with the manual technique. It avoids all the risks and limitations that we have seen with the manual method. We would suggest one such solution i.e, DRS Outlook PST File Converter. The software is designed on advanced algorithms. Users are able to convert PST to MBOX, EML, EMLX, MSG, HTML, CSV, AOL mail, Yahoo, Gmail, Thunderbird, Office 365, etc. The free Outlook PST file converter is also available to export 50 emails for free to evaluate the performance of the software.

Salient Features

• Convert PST to EML, MBOX, CSV, PDF, HTML, MSG, Gmail, IMAP, Yahoo, etc. 
• Provides two modes of migration i.e, Single mode and Multiple mode.
• Date range and naming convention features are available.
• No technical knowledge is required.
• Easy user-friendly GUI.
• No risk of data loss.
• Supports all sorts of Windows and Mac OS versions.
• The free Outlook PST file converter version allows to export 50 emails for free to evaluate the performance of the software.

Conclusion

Above in this blog, we have discussed the methods to import Outlook contacts to Thunderbird program. We have gone through the manual as well as the professional PST to MBOX Converter. It can now be concluded that the conventional manual approach has several limitations and risks. So it is highly suggested to use automated professional software for effortless conversion.

Also Read: Recommended Solutions to Import PST Files to Zoho Mail

Related Post