Outlook for Windows doesn’t support the OLM file format. There is a popular but lengthy workaround – using an IMAP-enabled email account – that can assist you in importing OLM (Outlook for Mac) data into Windows Outlook. A simpler way of doing this is to use a specialized software – an OLM to PST converter tool – to quickly import .olm file data (emails, attachments, calendars, etc.) to configured user profile/s in Windows Outlook. In this post, we will explore both methods in detail.
What is OLM File and Why Won’t Windows Outlook Open it?
Introduced with Outlook 2011 on Mac, the OLM (.olm) file format was developed as an exclusive Outlook data file format for backup or storing mailbox items, such as messages, contacts, calendars, etc., on a Mac. It was designed for several reasons:
- To manage mailbox capacity by allowing users to archive old items, as Mac Outlook does not create these files by default.
- To handle the unique data structure of Microsoft Outlook for macOS, which the existing .pst file format couldn’t handle.
- To help Mac users store, transfer, or share mailbox data reliably with other Mac Outlook users.
As it is designed exclusively for macOS environment, it is not supported by the Outlook client on Windows PCs. Moreover, any attempt to open or view the OLM file in Windows Outlook can result in the following error message:
The file <path>.olm is not an Outlook data file (.pst).
What are the Reasons to Import OLM File into Outlook for Windows?
Here are some reasons why users need to import OLM to Outlook:
- To access OLM file data in Outlook for Windows
- To move mailbox data while shifting from a Mac to a Windows PC
- To share OLM file data with a Windows user
- To access data from old/archived OLM files in an active Windows Outlook profile
How to Export Mailbox Data to OLM File in Outlook for Mac?
Depending on your Mac Outlook version, you can follow the given steps to export mailbox data to OLM file in Outlook for Mac.
Note: In new Outlook for Mac, there is no import/export functionality available as of now. You will need to revert to the Legacy version.
For Outlook for Mac (2011):
- Open Outlook on your Mac.
- Go to File > Export.
- The Export window will open.
- Select Outlook for Mac data file (.olm) and then choose the mailbox items to export.
- Now, click on the right directional arrow at the bottom to proceed further.
- Next, you will see the Delete After Exporting screen. Select the ‘No, do not delete items’ option and again click on the right arrow.
- In the Save window, give the mailbox archive a name and choose a save location. Once done, click on Save.
For Outlook for Mac (2016 or later):
- Launch Outlook on your Mac system.
- Click on Tools in the ribbon and then click on Export.
- In the Export to Archive File (.olm) window, select the items you want to export. Click Continue.
- The ‘Save archive file (.olm) as:’ box will appear. Enter the file name and the browse the location to save the exported mailbox data.
- Click on Save.
- After Outlook finishes exporting the selected data, click Finish.
The selected items will be saved in .olm file at the desired location (on Mac or an external storage).
How to Import OLM file to Outlook for Windows using Stellar Converter for OLM?
As the OLM file is not supported by Windows Outlook desktop client, you need to use Stellar Converter for OLM. It is a DIY OLM to PST converter software designed specifically to convert the OLM files into PST and other formats (MSG and EML). The software retains the original mailbox structure and folder hierarchy after the conversion process.
It can also import OLM file into Outlook on a Windows PC directly. You can also append the OLM file data to an existing PST file on your Windows PC. Moreover, you can use the Technician edition of this software to directly export OLM mailbox data to an Office 365 account.
Here is how to use Stellar Converter for OLM:
Note – As this software works on Windows, you first need to transfer the OLM file to a Windows PC first.
- Download and install Stellar Converter for OLM on your Windows PC.
- Launch it.
- On the Home screen, click on the Select OLM Mailbox option.
- Click on Browse to choose the OLM file.
- Once you have selected the OLM file, click on Convert.
- The software will scan the selected OLM file.
- Once the scan is complete, it will show all the OLM file data. Preview and verify the mailbox items.
- Select the mailbox items you want to import into Windows Outlook and click on Save Converted Mailbox.
- You will see the Save File window. Choose the Export to Existing Outlook Profile option.
- The Select Outlook Profile and PST window will appear on the screen.
- Select the Profile from the given list and click Save.
Note: If you want to add OLM file data to an existing PST file, you can do so by selecting the Append to existing PST option.
- The software will begin importing the OLM file data into the selected Outlook profile. Once completed, the Conversion Completed dialog box will appear. Click OK to end the process.
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Which Edition of Stellar Converter for OLM Should you Use?
This software is available in different editions – Online, Standard and Technician – based on the features available. You can choose the one depending on your conversion requirements. Tabulated below are the features of these two editions.
| Features | Online Tool | Edition |
| | Free & Premium | Standard | Technician |
| OLM file size limit | ≤100 MB (Free), ≤5 GB (Premium) | No | No |
| Offers preview of emails, contacts, tasks, notes, and calendars | Yes (only for emails; creates a downloadable HTML file | Yes | Yes |
| Converts OLM file to PST, MSG, or EML format | Only to PST format | Yes | Yes |
| Exports OLM file to an existing Outlook profile | No | Yes | Yes |
| Exports OLM file items to Office 365 | No | No | Yes |
| Saves converted mail items in RTF, HTML, and PDF formats | No | No | Yes |
How to Import OLM file to Outlook via Gmail IMAP?
You can use a workaround to import OLM file into Outlook for Windows. For this, you need to configure an IMAP account (e.g. Gmail account) in Outlook for Mac and then add the same account in Windows Outlook to transfer the data. Here is the stepwise process:
Note: This method is only suitable for transferring email messages. It cannot transfer contacts and calendar items.
Part 1: Enable Gmail IMAP Settings
- Go to Gmail.com via a web browser. Sign in.
- Now, click the gear icon in the top-right corner for Settings.
- Next, click on See all settings.
- Select Forwarding and POP/IMAP and then choose the Enable IMAP option.
- Click Save Changes.
Part 2 – Import OLM File into Mac
Note: If you’re using New Outlook, switch to Legacy version.
- The Import window will open.
- Select Outlook for Mac archive file (.olm) and click Continue.
- Navigate to the OLM file location and select it. Click Import.
- It will begin importing the OLM file into Outlook.
- Click Finish to complete the process.
Part 3 – Add Gmail Account in Mac Outlook
Once you have imported the OLM file into Outlook for Mac, configure an IMAP email account (Gmail, Yahoo, AOL, etc.) in it. Here, we will be using a Gmail account.
Follow the steps below to add Gmail account in Mac Outlook:
- Launch Outlook for Mac.
- Click on Outlook > Settings.
- Click on Accounts under Personal Settings.
- Click on the + icon in the lower left corner.
- It will show the Set Up Your Email wizard.
- Follow the onscreen instructions to add your Gmail account in your Mac Outlook account.
Part 4 – Move/Copy the OLM File Data to the Gmail Account
Now, follow the steps below to transfer the OLM file data to the configured Gmail account:
- Relaunch Outlook for Mac. Press the Control key and click on the newly-added Gmail account. Select the New Folder option and name it.
- Now, select a mailbox folder and then select all the required items in it.
- Then, click on Move in the ribbon and then Copy to Folder.
- Search for the newly created folder (in the configured Gmail account).
- Click Copy.
Part 5 – Configure the Gmail Account in Outlook for Windows
Now, you can configure the same Gmail account in Outlook for Windows to access the OLM data. Here are the steps:
- Launch Microsoft Outlook on your Windows PC.
- Configure the same Gmail account that you’ve configured in the Outlook for Mac application.
- Click on Add Account in the Account Information window.
- The Add Account window will open. Enter your Gmail account credentials.
- You will see the Outlook for Mac mailbox data in your Windows Outlook.
Drawbacks of the Above Workaround
Though the above method is free to use, it has the following limitations:
- The process is lengthy as users have to perform multiple steps.
- An additional email account is required to be configured in Outlook for Mac.
- Gmail has a free 15 GB mailbox limit. For moving data from OLM files larger than 15 GB, you need to purchase additional Gmail storage.
- Data consistency problem may arise due to missing items like emails, contacts, etc.
- It is a time-consuming process, which may take hours to migrate large amounts of mailbox data.
Conclusion
As you’ve seen above, we have presented two different ways – using Stellar Converter for OLM and manually via an IMAP-enabled email client – to import OLM file into Outlook for Windows. However, the manual process is complicated, time-consuming, and requires technical know-how for successful execution. Therefore, the effective way to import OLM file to Outlook installed on Windows is by using Stellar Converter for OLM. This is an easy-to use software that helps you convert OLM files into Outlook importable PST file format. You can also use the software to directly export the data from OLM file to an Outlook profile or Office 365 account. Try the OLM to PST converter tool to experience its capabilities.
