Import Outlook items from a .pst file in classic Outlook

These instructions assume you've already exported your Outlook email, contacts, and calendar from another instance of Outlook, and now you want to import them to Outlook.

1. At the top of your Outlook ribbon, select File.

   If your ribbon doesn't have a File option in the top left corner, you aren't using an Outlook app installed on your computer. 

   

2. Select Open & Export > Import/Export. This starts the Import/Export wizard.

   

3. Select Import from another program or file, and then select Next.

   

4. Select Outlook Data File (.pst) and select Next.

5. Browse to the .pst file you want to import. Under Options, choose how you want to deal with emails and contacts, then choose Next.

   

6. If a password was assigned to the Outlook Data File (.pst), enter the password, and then select OK.

7. If you're importing the contents of your .pst file into your Microsoft 365 mailbox, choose that mailbox here.

   If you're NOT importing into your Microsoft 365 mailbox, choose Import items into the current folder. This imports the data into the folder currently selected.

   

8. Choose Finish. Outlook starts importing the contents of your .pst file immediately. When the progress box disappears, the import is finished.

   If you're importing your .pst file to your Microsoft 365 mailbox, you may see a message that it's trying to connect with Microsoft 365. This happens when the Internet connection is interrupted, even for a moment. Once your Internet connection is re-established, Outlook will continue importing the .pst file.