How to Import or Open Outlook for Mac OLM File into Outlook for Windows

We can use Microsoft Outlook email client on both MAC and Windows platform. Both these platforms are similar but the only difference between them is the file format used by them for storage of data. On Mac, OLM files are used for storage while PST files are used on Windows. But if you want to access your Mac Outlook data on Windows, you’ll have to switch from Outlook for Mac OLM into Outlook PST for Windows. There is not any method to export or Open Outlook for Mac OLM file into Windows Outlook PST file format.

For accessing your Mac data on Windows i.e. files, contacts, calendars, events etc, first you have to convert OLM file to PST format and then import this PST file to Windows Outlook. Although it can be done manually, but if not done in a right way, it may lead to data loss. An user may experience issues during OLM to PST conversion. So, it is recommended to use a third party tool so that the data remains intact.

 Also Read: How to Export Apple Mac Mail (MBOX) to MS Outlook

Manual Steps to Open Outlook for Mac OLM File to Windows Outlook

For manual conversion, you have to locate the physical OLM file first. You can find the OLM files on either of the following two locations.

• Documents\Microsoft User Data\Office 2011 Identities\Main Identity\Databases
• Documents\Microsoft User Data\MS Office 2011 Identities\Main Identity\Data-Records\Message

Instead, you’ll have to create it by saving the mailbox data in the OLM format. Follow these steps-

1. In the drive location which is indicated above, click on File and then Select Export. A new window will be opened.
2. Select all the data being shown.
3. A new option “Delete items after exporting” appears. Check “Do not want to delete item” option.
4. Now “Save As” option will appear. Select the Destination Location where you want to save your OLM File
5. Click on Save.

Now, once you have created OLM file, it can be converted to PST by using below steps.

Create IMAP email account-

IMAP acts as an intermediate server between Mac Outlook and Windows Outlook. Gmail is the best platform for creating an IMAP account. Once it is created, follow these steps-

Step 1: Click the gear button on the top right corner and go to settings.

Step 2: On the settings page, click Forwarding and POP/IMAP tab appearing at the top.

Step 3: Check your IMAP status. If it is disabled, enable it.
Click Save changes.

Your IMAP account is created. Now, you have to set up your Mac Outlook to IMAP account. Proceed with these steps to do this.

Step 1: Open the Outlook for Mac. On the Menu bar, go to Tools and then Accounts.

Step 2: On the Accounts window, click Email and enter your Email account information i.e.

Email address and Password. Now, click Add Account.

Step 3: Your IMAP mail account will be successfully added.

Create a Gmail Label

Step 1: Log in to your gmail account.
Step 2: Go to settings page and click Labels at the top of the task bar.

Step 3: Now click create new label button.

Step 4: On the new label dialog box, enter the name of your new label and click create.

Make sure show in IMAP box is checked.

Step 5: Now go to your Mac Outlook and click on Send/receive button to update the IMAP mailbox.

Migrate emails from Mac Outlook to IMAP

It is very important part of the process in which your mailbox data of an OLM file will be transferred to IMAP mailbox.

Step 1: Launch Outlook for Mac on your system.
Step 2: Right-click the mailbox item you want to move. Click Move, then click on Copy to folder.
Step 3: Name the IMAP folder you want to copy and then click Copy.
Step 4: Now, update your Mac Outlook IMAP data by clicking Send/receive button.

 Also Read: How to Export Emails from Thunderbird to MS Outlook

By this, all the emails and other mailbox items get synced with IMAP mailbox folder. Now, move all the mailbox data from IMAP mailbox folder to Windows Outlook. You need to set up the very same IMAP Mail account to the Windows Outlook also. Now, drag your IMAP mailbox folder data to Windows Outlook Inbox Folder.

Concluding words

However, you can use this manual method to open Mac Outlook in Windows Outlook. But, this method is little risky and time consuming. It may also require some technical knowledge. So, a non-tech user might face problems. Also, a small mistake may result is data loss.

So, in order to perform safe and reliable transformation emails from Mac Outlook OLM file to Windows Outlook PST , it is recommended to use a third party OLM to PST Converter tool. It also handle corrupt OLM files too, and convert them into PST and other popular email formats, such as MSG, EML, and MBOX.

Download Now

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