How to Import/ Export Inbox Content (PST) in Outlook 2013

Unlike Exchange Server, importing and exporting a data file in Microsoft Outlook 2013 is not a rocket science. Everything is click to forward wizard based like all other previous versions of Outlook. You only need to follow the wizard steps whether you want import or export Outlook inbox items. The only thing which you need to remember if your Outlook profile is connected with Microsoft Exchange Server, Outlook 2013 stores everything (all the custom and default folders) in a public folder. Also note that all the mailbox data resides on server rather than local computer if it is connected with Exchange.

So I am discussing a common instance where you have a profile on Outlook 2013, and you only want to import or export important data in Outlook. But before moving ahead I want to share an important feature of Outlook 2013 which you should frequently try before every move. AutoArchieve. Yes, Microsoft Outlook 2013 has inbuilt AutoArchieve feature which enables you to specify how frequently Outlook should clean out old items or which items to move. So if you choose archive rather than delete, Outlook stores them in a PST file.

Now follow the steps to export Outlook 2013 inbox items into a PST file on your computer-

1- Open Outlook and click File. Select Open & Export option and click Import/Export. 

 

2- Select Export to a file option from Import and Export Wizard and click Next.

3- Choose Outlook Data File (.pst) and click Next.

 

4- Now select your email address and click Include subfolders checkbox. Click Next. 

 

5- Now click Finish once you select the exported file location and the require option.

 

6- Now a dialogue box Create Outlook Data File will appear and ask you to enter password. Once you are done, click OK.

Now check the location on the computer where you have stored Outlook PST (location which you selected in step 5).  However, if the size of exported PST is bigger, it will take some time to be exported and displayed in the corresponding folder. Once you find the PST file, you can change its name and location.

Importing PST in Outlook 2013

Importing a PST file is as easy as you have done during PST export. Simply navigate through File -> Open & Export -> Import & Export and select Import from another program or file and click Next. 

Now choose Outlook Data File (.pst) to import PST file and click Next. Now click Browse… to select your PST file and click Next to import PST.

But before the final step ensure that you want to merge PST file in existing folder or not. In my case I selected import items into the same folder in: to merge the PST data in my existing out. Don’t forget to select your email address from the drop down before finish the process.

 

Finally, make sure that Include subfolders checkbox is selected. Now click Finish.

That’s it. However, if you have a big size of OST file which you want to access into your Outlook 2013 profile, you simply need to convert OST file into PST then import in MS Outlook.

Here is the utility which you can download to convert working or corrupt OST file into importable PST. 

Click to download http://www.stellarservertools.com/ost-pst-converter.php

Hope, it was helpful.