Are you a seasoned Microsoft Outlook for Mac user who has accumulated a mountain of emails, appointments, and contacts over the years? Perhaps you're considering switching to a new email client or calendar app, but the thought of migrating all that data has you feeling overwhelmed. Fear not, for there's a hero in this story: Olminator!
This free-to-use macOS application acts as a bridge between Outlook for Mac and your new productivity haven. It seamlessly converts your Outlook data (stored in a proprietary .olm format) into universally compatible formats, allowing you to import it into various applications with ease.
Why Use Olminator?
Here's why Olminator is your one-stop solution for migrating away from Outlook for Mac:
- Effortless Conversion: Olminator takes the guesswork out of data conversion. Simply point it to your exported .olm file, and it will transform your emails, calendar entries, contacts, and notes into readily importable formats like .mbox, .ics, .vcf, and .html.
- Supports All Versions: No matter which version of Outlook for Mac you're using, Olminator has you covered. It works flawlessly with both older versions and the newer Office 365 iterations.
- Multiple Import Options: Olminator offers flexibility when it comes to importing your converted data. You can import it into various applications like Apple Mail, Apple Calendar, Apple Contacts, and Apple Notes, or any other app that supports the converted formats.
- Free and Feature-Rich: Olminator's core functionalities are completely free. However, for advanced features like bulk PDF or HTML conversion and CSV export, an in-app purchase unlocks these additional capabilities.
Step-by-Step Guide: From Outlook for Mac to Freedom
Here's a breakdown of the migration process using Olminator:
- Exporting Your Data from Outlook for Mac:
- Open Microsoft Outlook for Mac.
- Go to the "File" menu and select "Export..." (if using an older version). For newer versions (Office 365) with disabled export functionality, refer to the guide at the end of this blog post.
- Choose the data types you want to export (emails, calendar, contacts, notes).
- Select a location to save the exported .olm file and remember the location.
- Converting with Olminator:
- Download and install Olminator from the Apple App Store.
- Launch Olminator and select the .olm file you exported from Outlook for Mac.
- Choose the desired output folder where Olminator will place the converted files.
- Click "Convert" to begin the process.
- Importing into Your New Application:
- After conversion, Olminator will display the converted files in a clear folder structure, mirroring your Outlook for Mac organization.
- Open your new email client, calendar app, contacts manager, or notes app (e.g., Apple Mail, Apple Calendar, Apple Contacts, Apple Notes).
- Locate the import function within your chosen application. The specific steps will vary depending on the app.
- Navigate to the Olminator output folder and select the relevant files for import (e.g., .mbox for emails, .ics for calendar events, .vcf for contacts, .html for notes).
- Follow the import prompts within your chosen application.
Bonus Tip: Olminator allows you to preview the converted data before importing. This lets you ensure everything looks as expected before integrating it into your new application.
Farewell, Outlook for Mac! Embrace Your New Digital Landscape
With Olminator as your ally, transitioning from Outlook for Mac to a new platform no longer requires data migration headaches. Olminator empowers you to take your valuable information with you, ensuring a smooth and efficient switch to your preferred productivity tools.
Additional Resources:
- Download Olminator: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/pst-converter-pro-apped/id446401009?mt=12
Troubleshooting Guide for Exporting with Latest Outlook for Mac Versions (Office 365)
1. Identify Your Outlook Interface. Check if you’re using the New Outlook UI:
- Look for the “New Outlook” toggle in the top-right corner.
- If enabled, you're using the new UI. If disabled, you're on the old UI.
2. Switch Back to the Old UI. The New Outlook UI does not currently support OLM file export. To switch back to the old interface:
- Open Outlook and find the “New Outlook” toggle in the top-right corner.
- Turn off the toggle. Confirm when prompted.
- Outlook will restart in the old UI.
3. Export Emails to OLM in the Old UI. Once you’re in the old UI:
- Go to Tools > Export in the top menu.
- Select the data you want to export (e.g., Mail, Contacts).
- Click Continue, choose a destination, and click Save.
- Wait for the process to complete.
