Outlook for Mac uses.olm files to store data, such as email and contacts. Outlook for Windows cannot directly open an.olm file. This article describes how to migrate the data by using Microsoft Exchange Server. OLM (Outlook for Mac Archive) OLM file is an Outlook for Mac Archive format which can be used to store all Emails, Contacts, Calendar, Notes, Tasks, etc. Into single OLM format. The OLM format can be used only with Outlook for Mac Versions such as Outlook for Mac 2019, Outlook for Mac 2016 and Outlook for Mac 2011 versions.
How to Import or Open Outlook for Mac OLM File into Outlook for Windows
Rohan Wiese ❘ July 10th, 2018 ❘ 0 Comments
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.
- DocumentsMicrosoft User DataOffice 2011 IdentitiesMain IdentityDatabases
- DocumentsMicrosoft User DataMS Office 2011 IdentitiesMain IdentityData-RecordsMessage
Instead, you’ll have to create it by saving the mailbox data in the OLM format. Follow these steps-
- In the drive location which is indicated above, click on File and then Select Export. A new window will be opened.
- Select all the data being shown.
- A new option “Delete items after exporting” appears. Check “Do not want to delete item” option.
- Now “Save As” option will appear. Select the Destination Location where you want to save your OLM File
- 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.
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 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.
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.
Realted Post
Ashwani Tiwari | Modified: 2018-07-03T08:23:50+00:00 | News|
“I am searching for the OLM file in Mac system but I am not able to find that. I do not know what is the exact location of that file. Please tell me what is the exact path where OLM files are located on Mac.”
There are many users who want to know Mac Outlook 2016 archive location or OLM files in Mac system. But they are unaware of the fact that OLM file is created when the user creates an archive in Mac Outlook 2016 and 2011. To get the OLM file, first, the user has to Archive Email in Outlook 2016 & 2011 for Mac. Therefore, in the section given below, we are going to discuss how to archive email in Mac Outlook 2016 and 2011.
How to Create Archive in Outlook 2016 & 2011 for Mac with Inbuilt Outlook Mac Archive
To Archive Email in Outlook 2016 & 2011 for Mac, the user has to follow the different steps. When the user archive Mac Outlook data then the file created is known as an OLM file. The user can easily find mac Outlook 2016 archive location & create OLM file by following the steps given below.
1. Create Outlook Mac Archive ( OLM ) File in Outlook 2016
1. First of all, you have to open your Mac system and then choose Finder from the item menu given below
2. Then from the list of applications, you have to open Microsoft Outlook 2016
3. After that, from the top menu, you have to choose the Tools option
4. Then, click on Export button to create archive in Outlook 2016 Mac.
5. Now, Export to Archive File (.olm) dialog box will appear. Here, you have to select the items such as mail, calendar, contacts, tasks etc. which you want to export and then click on the Continue button to begin the process to Archive Email in Outlook 2016 & 2011 for Mac
6. Now, you have to select the destination location or folder where you want to save the archive OLM file and then click on the Save button
7. After that, you will notice that the export process begins
8. Once the exporting process is completed successfully, click on the Finish button
9. Now, you have to navigate to the destination folder where the files are saved. Double-click the destination folder to preview the archive OLM file
2. Create Outlook Mac Archive OLM File in Outlook 2011
1. First, you have to open Microsoft Outlook on your Mac machine
2. Now, in the top menu, go to File and then select the Export option to Archive Email in Outlook 2011 for Mac
3. After that, the Export dialog box will appear. Here, you have to select Outlook for Mac Data File (.olm) to create archive in Outlook 2011 and then select the items such as emails, tasks, contacts, notes etc. which you want to archive. Click on the right arrow to continue
4. Now, you will be asked to Delete After Exporting? Select No, do not delete items and then click on the right arrow to continue
5. Select the destination location or folder where you want to save archive OLM file
6. Then, click on the Save button
7. After that, process will begin to Archive Email in Outlook 2011 for Mac
8. Once the export process is completed, click on the Done button
9. Now, navigate to the location where you saved your archive OLM file
Mac Outlook 2016 & 2011 Archive location?
the users have the misconception that OLM file is automatically created and saved somewhere in the system. But, when the user Archive Email in Outlook 2016 & 2011 for Mac then OLM file is created. Therefore, to access OLM file, the user has to archive Mac Outlook 2011 and 2016 data then he/she can access the OLM file. In the above section, we have explained a step by step process using which the user can easily create the archive in Mac Outlook 2016 and 2011 in a hassle-free way.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. ‘Archive button missing’
Answer: If the email is set up via POP protocol then archive button would not show up. To fix it make sure that you configure the account into Outlook for Mac via Exchange or IMAP, instead of POP.
2. ‘First time using the Archive’
Answer: If you are using the Archive for the first time then you will get a prompt:
You have to select one option either Choose Another Folder or Continue
Continue: If you select this option then a new folder will appear in your folder list for that email account. The folder is called Archive for Outlook.com, Google, Office 365, iCloud, and Yahoo! Accounts. For Gmail, the archive folder is called All Mail.
Choose Another Folder: The option lets you select any of the existing folders for the archive.
3. ‘Not able to find the location of OLM file in Mac system’
Answer: When the user create archive in Outlook 2016 or 2011 , an OLM file is created. mac Outlook 2016 archive location is the file location, you set while saving Archive file ( OLM file).
4. ‘Cannot Export database to OLM’
Answer: To resolve this issue you can repair your Main Identity or you can use SysTools OLK Converter.
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