How Do I Export and Import OLM Files in Outlook on Mac?

Sarabjeet Kaur | Email Conversion email migration How to's mac os Software Technology Windows | 5 minutes read | Modified on: 10-04-2023
export and import olm files in outlook on mac

Microsoft provides two different email client applications for Windows and Mac OS to improve exchange connectivity. Microsoft Outlook and Outlook for Mac are the two email clients in question. Although having similar user interfaces and ways of operating, each email client has some advantages and disadvantages over the other.

PST files are used by Outlook for Windows to store mailbox data. When linked to the exchange server, it also handles OST files. When Microsoft Outlook is set up with POP3 accounts, the mailbox data is stored in PST format. Yet, the data is stored in OST file format when the user interacts with an exchange server while working offline.

On the other side, Outlook for Mac stores mailbox data in OLM files. This suggests that OLM files are not supported by Microsoft Outlook for Windows. So that the file can be imported into Microsoft Outlook for Windows, we must export OLM file to PST file format. In addition to this, there are other important reasons why we should transfer Outlook for Mac to PST.

Here, we’re going to describe the step-by-step process to convert OLM mailbox data to PST file format manually and a proficient solution for Mac OLM Converter. Before that let’s talk about some reasons to export OLM files to PST.

Reasons to Convert OLM Mailbox Data to PST

Basically, there are two situations that demand the conversion of OLM files to PST.

  • In the event that a user needs to switch from a Mac system to a Windows system. He must go over to Outlook for Windows from Outlook for Mac.
  • If a user is temporarily utilizing a Windows computer at work or home. He must next import his files from Outlook for Mac to PST format in order to access the messages in Outlook for Mac.

But, there are several benefits to Mac Outlook data file to PST conversion that make MS Outlook for Windows a superior choice. Here are some Outlook for Mac restrictions.

Issues with Outlook for Mac

Here, we talk about a few of Outlook for Mac’s drawbacks.

  • The user cannot access the attachment preview option.
  • Outlook for Mac does not support saving OLM files as HTML or TXT.
  • On Mac, it is impossible to customize the folder.
  • The user cannot make the available information available to the outside user.
  • Office 365 groups cannot be accessed by the user.
  • Gmail folders like drafts, deleted items, etc. cannot be automatically synchronized.

After going over the necessity to convert OLM files to PST files and the restrictions of Mac OLM files. Let’s go on and talk about the manual method for converting OLM to PST.

Manual Process for Converting OLM File into PST

With an IMAP Account, we can convert an OLM file into a PST file. The four steps we must do one after the other are as follows.

Step 1: Open an IMAP Account

To create your IMAP account, adhere to these steps.

  • Visit the Settings page for Gmail or another webmail service.
  • Go to Settings & click on Forwarding and POP/IMAP tab.
  • Activate IMAP and Save changes if IMAP is not currently enabled.

Step 2: Using an IMAP account Setup the Outlook for Mac Program

IMAP configuration for Outlook for Mac is now simple.

  • Open Outlook for Mac, then click the Accounts option under the Tool tab.
  • Choose Email from the menu now, then enter your login information and other information.
  • As soon as you’ve entered the IMAP server, choose SSL connection.
  • Type in 465 as the port number and SMTP server.
  • Choose Add Account next.         

Step 3: Outlook for Mac Email Export to an IMAP Account

Follow these simple steps to export emails from Outlook for Mac into an IMAP account.

  • When opening Outlook for Mac, choose the item you want to move.
  • Right-click on the folder to select it, then choose Move > Copy to Folder.
  • Locate and copy your IMAP folder.
  • After that, use the Send or Receive tab to update the IMAP folder.
  • Your IMAP account now has every OLM email.

Step 4: Using the Same IMAP Account Set up Outlook for Windows

Set up the same IMAP account with Outlook for Windows at this point.

  • Go to Control Panel, Main>Email Accounts, and then Create.
  • Choose Manually Set server settings, then press Next.
  • After selecting IMAP/POP Settings, click Next.
  • Click on Additional Settings after inputting your IMAP account information and the incoming and outgoing server information.
  • Activate the Advanced Tab.
  • Choose SSL Connection and provide the IMAP server’s port number of 993.
  • Type 465 for the SMTP Server port number, select SSL and press OK.
  • Then, choose Next; this will take a few minutes. Then, choose Finish.

You can now move OLM emails to PST for Mac OS. But, these manual methods are insufficient to provide all the solutions. Thus, several professional techniques are been introduced to get beyond their limits. Let’s go over its limits before talking about professional procedures.

Issues with Manual Methods

Use of these manual methods is always free. The following are some of its drawbacks, though.

  • A certain level of technical knowledge and proficiency is needed for this method.
  • That takes a long time to complete.
  • The procedures are always unsafe and difficult for non-technical users.

We have some professional methods for exporting OLM files into PST files that can get over these restrictions. These methods are simple, time-efficient, and risk-free.

Proven Method to Transfer Multiple OLM to PST on Mac

We’ve gone over the manual conversion methods for OLM files to PST. But, it also has some restrictions. To overcome those limits we have the CubexSoft Mac OLM to PST Converter Software. It is a powerful and trustworthy program that enables you to perform this process with 100% accuracy. The tool also allows you to convert OLM to PDF, MBOX, CSV, ICS, EML, DOC, RTF, HTML, EMLx, Gmail, IMAP, Thunderbird, Office 365, and more file formats. Moreover, the software supports the Mac OLM files created by all Mac Outlook editions.  The tool supports the batch migration of OLM files into PST format at once.