How to Extract Contacts from PST File?

[Anshu_123]

If you have an Outlook data file (PST) and want to move your address book to another email service, phone, or CRM, you first need to extract contacts from the PST file. This can be done either manually through Outlook or automatically using a professional utility like Cigati PST Converter.

Why Use a Tool Like Cigati PST Converter​

Cigati offers utilities that let you extract and convert contacts from a PST file without needing Microsoft Outlook installed — ideal if Outlook isn’t available or you want a simple GUI-based solution.

Key Benefits

• Works without Outlook installed.
• Lets you preview and select contacts before extraction.
• Can export contacts to standard formats (e.g., VCF/vCard, CSV).
• Supports PST files from all recent Outlook versions.

Steps to Extract Contacts Using Cigati PST Converter​

• Download & Install the Cigati PST Converter tool. Launch the software on your Windows machine.
• Add your PST file (choose single or multiple files).
• The tool scans and displays the file structure — locate the Contacts folder.
• Select the contacts or contact folders you want to extract.
• Choose the output format (e.g., VCF/vCard, CSV).
• Pick a destination folder, then click Convert/Export.

Alternative Manual Method (if Outlook Is Installed)​

If you do have Microsoft Outlook on your computer:

1. Open Outlook and go to File → Open & Export → Import/Export.
2. Choose Export to a file → Comma Separated Values (CSV).
3. Select your Contacts folder and export the contacts to a CSV file.
   • Then you can open the CSV in Excel or import it elsewhere.

This built-in method is free but requires Outlook and doesn’t give you as much flexibility as a converter tool.

 

[monor]

Extracting contacts from a PST file is a common task when users want to move their contact information to another platform or create a backup. A PST file stores various Outlook data, including emails, contacts, calendars, and tasks. To access the contact information separately, users need to export or extract it from the PST file.
One manual method is using Microsoft Outlook. Users can open the PST file in Outlook, go to the Contacts section, and export their contacts to formats such as CSV or VCF. This method works well for small amounts of data, but can take time when exporting many contacts.
A more convenient way is to use a PST Converter Tool. These tools allow users to load a PST file and extract all contacts in a few clicks, preserving original contact details such as name, email address, and phone number. Tools like BLR Tools help users quickly extract contacts from PST files and save them in accessible formats without losing important information.
Read More: How to Extract Contacts from PST File?

 

[reginhardbohm]

Extracting contacts from a PST file can be necessary when you want to migrate or backup your Outlook contact data. A simple way is to use the Softaken Outlook PST Extractor. It helps users quickly extract contacts from PST files without affecting the original data. It scans the PST file and allows you to extract contacts with other mailbox items safely. It maintains the original contact details such as names, email addresses, phone numbers and other information. Its user-friendly interface makes the process smooth for beginners. With this tool you can easily manage and save Outlook contacts from PST files without facing complicated steps and technical difficulties.