How to Open/View OST file in CSV format? A Comprehensive Guide

Most users find that OST files, where Outlook data is saved, cannot be opened within Excel or Google Sheets directly because those applications don't recognize the OST format. This makes it hard to see or analyze your Outlook contacts and emails as spreadsheets. To access OST data in a spreadsheet, you first have to transform the OST file into a CSV format, which most versions of Excel, Google Sheets, and other data software support. This tutorial describes how to open OST file in CSV format through simple step.

Why Convert OST to CSV?

• CSV files open easily in Excel, Google Sheets, and other data applications.
• It's much simpler to analyze, filter, or share your email data.
• It is perfect for making backups, reports, or importing into other systems.
• CSV is an open format, so your information is available everywhere.

Quick Overview on OST & CSV

OST (Offline Storage Table) files are local copies of your mailbox information generated by Microsoft Outlook to allow offline access to emails, contacts, calendars, and tasks.

CSV (Comma-Separated Values) files, however, are plain text-based spreadsheet files commonly used to save tabular data such as contacts or email lists.

Now that you understand why OST to CSV conversion is so handy, let's see how you can do it manually through Microsoft Outlook's native export options.

Method 1. Export OST to CSV using MS Outlook

• Open Microsoft Outlook on your computer.
• Click the File tab and choose Open & Export, then Import/Export.
• Now, choose Export to a file and click Next.
• After that, select Comma-Separated Values (CSV) as the export type.
• Now, choose the the folder you wish to export, like Contacts or Inbox.
• Select the destination location and file name for the CSV file.
• Choose the email fields or attributes you wish to include.
• Finally, click Finish to begin and finish the export process.

Loopholes of MS Outlook Method

• You need Outlook installed and the OST file linked to an active Exchange account.
• It does not support exporting data from orphaned, damaged, or inaccessible OST files.
• Exports only one folder at a time, so bulk export is slow and tedious.
• There is limited support for specifying which fields or attributes are exported in the CSV file.
• Manual process might be time-consuming and can compromise data loss or errors if done improperly.

Method 2. Seamless & Fast Solution to Batch Convert OST to CSV

If you need a hassle-free solution to convert OST files to CSV without any limitations by hand, the RecoveryTools OST Converter is a powerful option. This utility creates a single CSV file for every email of your OST files, titled allitems.csv, and also provides different CSV files for each folder of a mailbox so that organization is convenient. Developed using sophisticated algorithms, the software is powerful and easy to use, enabling technical and non-technical users to export OST to CSV with ease-no Outlook required.

How to Export OST to CSV using Automated Way?

• Open the OST to CSV Converter on your system.
• Import your OST files by choosing individual files or folders.
• The application will list all mailbox folders, enabling you to choose only the folders that you wish to export.
• Choose CSV as your desired output format from the options available for saving.
• Now, utilize the advanced filter settings to export only certain emails or folders when necessary.
• After that, personalize settings like destination folder or opt to disregard the system folder structure.
• Hit the Convert button to initiate the process of converting OST to CSV.
• Watch the conversion progress in real time within the tool's interface.
• After completion, conveniently view your new CSV files from within the selected destination folder.

Advanced Features of OST to CSV Converter

• Exports OST files to CSV correctly with no data loss or corruption.
• User-friendly-easy to use with no technical knowledge needed.
• Batch export supported, where you can export multiple OST files to CSV in one go.
• It supports large OST files with no file size limit.
• You can export CSV files to your Desktop but gives you an option to choose a custom save location or to create a new directory inside the program.
• This software works alone-no necessity for Microsoft Outlook, or any additional software installed.
• Saves all original email information, including headers, links, and attachments, so that your data is secure and complete.

Final Thoughts

Converting OST files to CSV makes your Outlook emails and contacts easily readable, analyzable, and shareable in Excel or Google Sheets. Manual export via Outlook is possible but slow, limited, and can't process orphaned or corrupted files. Automated OST to CSV converter software is quicker, is able to batch convert, does not require Outlook, and maintains all of your data correctly. With the appropriate utility, you're able to swiftly export your OST data as a CSV file for any purpose.

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