How To: Import Contacts From External Mail Services (Gmail, Hotmail, etc)

This uses Gmail as an example, but let's assume that the process would be similar for other external mail systems such as Hotmail, Yahoo, etc. Basically, you need to first export the contacts from that mail system to a CSV (comma-separated values) format, then import that CSV file into Outlook.

The steps to do this for Gmail are as follows:

  • In Gmail, in the top left corner click arrow, select Contacts
  • Click on Export left hand list.
  • Select which contacts you wish to export (a single group or all contacts)
  • Select Outlook CSV format
  • Click the Export button, and save the file to your system
  • In Outlook, select Contacts (lower left)
  • In the top menu bar, click on File, and select Open and Export… Then click Import/Export
  • Choose Import from another program or file, and click Next
  • Select Comma Separated Values (Windows), and click Next
  • Browse to the file that you just downloaded from Gmail
  • Identify how you'd like duplicates to be handled
  • Click Next
  • Select the destination folder. You will likely want to import them to the Contacts folder within Mailbox - Your Name, so that they will be accessible whenever you access Exchange. Click Next, then click Finish to import the contacts.

 

  • In Yahoo, click the phonebook icon to go to "Contacts"
  • Click "Actions" and then "Export Contacts". 
  • Then select "CSV"

 
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