How to Import PST Files into Office ‍365 with PowerShell?

Office 365 – a cloud-based service by Microsoft – facilitates accessing emails, contacts, and other mailbox items anytime, anywhere, and from any device. These and various other reasons compel the users to migrate to this cloud-based platform. As Office 365 supports PST file, you can import your data into this platform in the form of PST files. For this, there are various methods available. You can use PowerShell to import PST files into Office 365 or use a professional PST to Office 365 migration tool – as explained this comprehensive guide.

How to Import PST Files into Office 365 (Microsoft 365) with PowerShell?

There is a PowerShell command – New-MailboxImportRequest, which is used for importing PST files into Exchange Server. However, this command is not supported in Microsoft 365 (Exchange Online). Below, we will be explaining the stepwise process import PST files into Microsoft 365 using the Network Upload method.

Step 1: Prepare Your System and Assign Permissions

Before you begin importing your PST files into Microsoft 365, you need to prepare your system and assign the permissions. Follow the below instructions to prepare your system for PST import:

• Download the Azure AzCopy tool on your system.
• Ensure that you have sufficient administrative permissions to perform the import process.
• Configure your Microsoft 365 tenant and create mailboxes for the users to import the PST files.
• Assign the Mailbox Import Export role in Microsoft 365.

• Export the users’ mailboxes to PST format and then copy all the PST files that you need to import into Microsoft 365 in a separate folder with proper names.
• Ensure the folder containing the PST file is accessible.

Step 2: Create Mailbox Mapping File for PST Migration

Before you start migrating your PST files to Microsoft 365, you need to create a CSV mapping file to map the PST files to the user accounts in Microsoft 365. To create a mapping file, follow these steps:

• Download this sample CSV template file or create a new CSV file containing the following columns: FilePath, Name, Mailbox, and TargetRootFolder details.

• Open the CSV sheet in MS Excel or Google Sheets.
• Replace the PST file name and the user account details in the CSV sheet to map the PST with users’ email accounts on Microsoft 365 along with other required details.

Tip – Avoid using spaces, uppercase letters, or special characters while preparing the PST files for the import job.

Once you have populated the details, save the CSV file and follow the next step to create a PST import job.

Step 3: Create a PST Import Job and Import PST Files into Microsoft 365

To create a PST import job in Microsoft 365, follow these steps:

• Open and log in to Microsoft 365 as a global administrator.
• Go to Data lifecycle management > Microsoft 365.
• Click on the Import tab.
• Choose New Import Job. This will start a new Import Job wizard.

• Name the import job and select Upload your data.
• Click Show network upload SAS URL and click Copy to clipboard button to copy this SAS URL into your Notepad. This SAS URL is critical to upload the PST file to Azure cloud storage. So, keep it safe and secure.

• Click Download Azure AzCopy to download and install the Microsoft Azure Storage tool. The AzCopy tool helps to quickly upload PST files (20 GB or smaller size) to Microsoft 365.
• Once the installation is complete, open PowerShell on your local computer. Navigate to Desktop where you have stored the Azure AzCopy tool and run the following PowerShell command to upload the PST files:

azcopy.exe copy “PSTFolder or Location of pst files” “sas url=”>”

• Once the PST upload operation is complete, go back to Microsoft Office 365 import process and select I’m done uploading my files and I have access to the mapping file.
• Click Next.

• On the next screen, you need to upload and validate your CSV mapping file.

Once you’re done, you can start the PST import wizard to successfully import the PST file into Microsoft 365. After the import, users can log in to Microsoft 365 (Outlook 365) to access all their emails, contacts, attachments, and other mail items.

Things to Consider for PST to Office 365 Migration

During the upload or import process, you may experience issues that may prevent you from importing the PST files. To avoid issues, ensure the following:

• Make sure that you have all the necessary permissions and roles required to perform the migration.
• If you have decided to migrate PST to Microsoft 365 via your system, make sure that your network is configured correctly and working as intended. Also, ensure you have enough bandwidth available from your internet service provider.
• Make sure that your PST files are consistent and have no errors or bad/corrupt items. For this, you can scan each PST file with SCANPST.exe, which will fix the bad items/corruption or inconsistencies and prevent issues during the PST import process.

Is there a Direct Way to Import PST Files into Office 365?

Yes, there is also a direct way to import PST into Office 365. This involves the use of a specialized PST to Office 365 migration tool. Stellar Migrator for Outlook is one such tool that is specifically developed to help users directly import PSTs into Office 365. You can simply create PST migration job, connect to the target mailboxes, apply filters, and start the import PST job.

The tool automatically maps the PST files with the target mailboxes. You can also use advanced filters like (date, folder type, etc.) to control the PST migration process. It also lets you monitor the progress of the migration process – during and after the completion – in real-time. The tool also supports incremental migration.

Stellar Migrator for Outlook is a pay-per-use software. So, you have to pay for the number of PSTs (mailboxes) you’re importing.

Let’s see how to use this software to import PST files into Office 365:

• Go to the Stellar Migrator for Outlook’s official webpage. Select the number of mailboxes (licenses) and click Buy Now to purchase the software.
• Install it on your PC.

• Launch the software.
• You will see the Create migration job window. Enter the Job Name. Choose whether you want to migrate a single mailbox or multiple mailboxes. Click Next.

Note – You can also select the Import CSV File option to migrate mailboxes using a CSV file with mapped source and target mailboxes.

• The next step is to select the Source. Click on Select Files.

• Select the PST files you want to import into Office 365 and click on Open.

• Click on Next.

• The Select target window will appear. Choose Microsoft 365 and click on Next.

• The Connect Target window will open. Click on Auto Registration and then select the Log in as Microsoft 365 Global Admin option.

Note: You can select the Manual Registration option as well. You will have to enter the Email Address, Client ID, Directory, and Client Secret Value to proceed with migration.

• The tool will begin the Auto app registration process. You will see the Microsoft Azure login screen. Select the account in which you want to migrate PST files.

• Enter the account password and Sign In.

• Next, select the account type and click on Continue.

• It will again prompt you to sign in to your Microsoft Azure account using Office 365 credentials. Sign in to proceed.
• It will show another prompt. Choose the appropriate option to move further.

• Once the Auto app registration is successful, click on OK.

• A green tick mark will appear next to the selected option. Click Next.

• This will open the Target Mailboxes window, showing a list of all the target mailboxes present in Office 365. Click on Next.

• Now, the Map mailboxes screen will appear. Click on the “Pencil” icon in the Edit column if you want to change the target mailbox. Click on Next.

Note: You can also click on “Click to specify” in the last column to specify a sub-folder within the selected target mailbox.

• Now, apply an appropriate Date filter from the given options. Then, click Next.

• Select the folders you want to migrate from the selected PST file. By default, all mailbox folders are selected. Click on Next.

• On the next window, select the number of mailboxes to be imported simultaneously. Then, click on Next.

• On the final screen, you will see a Summary of the Import Job. Click on Finish.

• You will see the Job created prompt. Click on OK.

• Click on Start in the ribbon to start the Import Job.

The tool will migrate the mailboxes based on the selected criteria. You can track the PST to O365 migration progress in real-time.

Conclusion

In this guide, we have explained how to import PSTs into Office 365 by using PowerShell. To make the process simpler and faster, use Stellar Migrator for Outlook. It is a better option compared to the free manual method as you don’t have to download any additional tool or use complicated PowerShell commands. You can use the tool to seamlessly import PSTs into Microsoft 365 with complete integrity and by maintaining original folder structure.