Outlook 365 - cannot import PST contacts

365 Outlook verision - 2410, W11 home.
Had Outlook, Saved contacts to .pst. Bought a new laptop. Set up the new laptop like old one, IMAP. I can't import the PST file. It seems to work (file import from file / choose file etc..) but nothing shows up under contacts. There are not multiple contact groups, just the new empty one from the new install.
Opening the pst file doesn't do anything either. It connects to the file (control panel / mail /accounts) but you can't see anything.
I used a free pst viewer and the contacts are in the file, but it's a free version so I can't do anything but view them.

OK, I tried a different way. When it asked me to choose a file, instead of choosing the email I'm using, [email protected], I choose 'outlook data file'. Outlook created another account at the bottom in Outlook below my other email accounts but it's blank. There is only one pst folder to choose but outlook doesn't seem to be able to grab the correct one. When I go to pick the PST outlook asks If I want to replace duplicates then it's says select the folder to import from:

Hmm... are the contacts IN the deleted items? (they aren't)
It doesn't matter what I select...nothing imports the Contracts.

WHAT is up w/snip? no matter how it looks when I paste the snip, when I go back to this thread the snip shows MORE than I snipped!!!!

There is what I am allowed to select (folder to import from)
Outlook data folder
>>>>Deleted items
>>>>>>>>Contacts (this comp only)
>>>>Calendar



HOW TO:

1. Open Outlook.
2. Go to File > Open & Export > Import/Export.
3. Choose Import from another program or file, and click Next.
4. Select Outlook Data File (.pst) and click Next.
5. Browse to locate your .pst file and click Open.
6. Choose Do not import duplicates (or another option, based on your preference), and click Next.
7. Select the folder that contains the contacts:
   • Expand the .pst file and choose the Contacts folder.
8. Choose the account where you want to import the contacts (your current .ost account).
9. Click Finish.

Can you remember how you solved this problem? I've just bought a new PC and have been trying to import a pst file containing contacts into classic Outlook but on clicking Finish nothing happens.

Before trying to Import. just "Open" the PST file so you can examine the contents.
Open and close Outlook Data Files (.pst) - Microsoft Support

It should show up as a new Top Level Folder in your Outlook Folder/Nav pane. Make sure it has what you want and then "Close" it.

Come back when you have finished that and post an image of your current Folder/Nav pane with all folders expanded so we can figure out where you should do the Import to. (Redact and personal identification information)

Thank you for responding but I think I've solved it. Previously, I had managed to import the contacts into Outlook on a new laptop. Using the same PST file on the new PC didn't work so I have now exported a new PST file of contacts from the laptop and that file has imported successfully into Outlook on the PC.

Having solved the immediate problem, I now realise that there is another, namely that the contacts on my W11 laptop are not synced with those on the W11 PC. On both machines, the folder title is 'Contacts (this computer only) ....' Why is that and is there anything I can do to get them to sync, like the emails already do? Having read this: why does classic outlook title contacts 'my computer only'? - Microsoft Q&A, I suspect that there is no practical solution.

abitpedantic said:

I now realise that there is another, namely that the contacts on my W11 laptop are not synced with those on the W11 PC.

Click to expand...

Outlook .pst files (no matter the provider) do not sync between devices in real-time. A .pst file is designed as a local, offline storage file.


In Outlook 365/2021/2019 Exchange accounts (Microsoft 365, Outlook.com) syncs emails, calendars, contacts, and tasks. IMAP (Gmail, Yahoo, iCloud, etc) syncs only email folders and status (read/unread). IMAP does not sync contacts or calendars.

abitpedantic said:

the contacts on my W11 laptop are not synced with those on the W11 PC.

Click to expand...

One possible solution is a third party Contact Sync Add-In for Outlook. e.g. I use one that syncs my Outlook contacts with my GMail contacts. There are different products for other scenarios. Slipstick has collections of these kinds of tools you can look thru.

Contact Management Tools
Contact Management Tools | Slipstick Systems

Outlook Contact Tools
Outlook Contact Tools | Slipstick Systems