How to Import OST Into Office 365 Easily [Complete Guide]

Do you need an easy way to import OST files into Office 365? OST file migration becomes important due to account transition or orphaned mailboxes.

However, your OST files hold offline Outlook mailbox data directly on a local machine. Whereas Office 365 operates as a cloud platform for communication and teamwork.

Therefore, migrating OST data to Office 365 brings various advantages and enhances accessibility across all devices.

Moreover, most of the organizations and professionals worldwide are ready to elevate their productivity and data management capabilities.

This guide walks you through a structured manual approach and the professional OST to Office 365 Migration Tool to complete the import process.

Whether to handle personal mailbox or enterprise-level data, the methods outlined here make sure a smooth and successful migration.    

Common Reasons to Convert OST Files to PST

• Office 365 brings together some useful services, like Teams and Outlook.
• Once OST data moves to PST, your emails and mailbox items are no longer locked to a single machine.
• Shared calendars, contacts, and files become far easier to coordinate when operates inside the same Microsoft ecosystem.
• Picking up emails from a phone, browser, or separate laptop takes no extra effort.
• Office 365 carries solid built-in security features that keep mailbox data consistently protected. 

Since Office 365 accepts PST format for data import, converting OST to PST becomes essential before any migration process.

Manual Method to Import OST into Office 365

There are manual methods available to accomplish the conversion process.

In this method, we will use Outlook first to convert OST files to PST, then import PST files to Office 365 via Network upload.

Convert OST to PST via Outlook

1. To start the process, first you need to open Outlook.
2. Go to the File tab from the top menu >> Open & Export.
3. Now, select the Import/Export and select Export Outlook Data File (.pst).
4. Choose the Mailbox Folders to save the PST file on your device.
5. Click on the Save PST File option.

Continue to Import PST Files to Office 365 via Microsoft Purview Portal

1. Open the portal and go to Data Lifecycle Management >> Import.
2. After that, create a new import job.
3. Download the Azure AzCopy & use it to upload your PST file to the Microsoft cloud storage location provided in the portal.
4. Create and upload a CSV mapping file that connects the PST file with the target Office 365 mailbox.
5. You need to validate the mapping >> start the import job, & wait for Office 365 to complete the mailbox import process. 

Drawbacks of Using the Manual Method

• It requires an Outlook installation to complete the process.
• This method is complex for non-technical users.
• Not suitable to handle corrupted OST.
• It has a time complexity.
• There is a risk of data loss during the process. 

You may also like: 30 SEO Strategies for Startups to Drive More Leads

Professional Software to Transfer Outlook OST to Office 365

Aryson OST to Office 365 Migration Tool is the safer alternative for data migration.

As it offers direct import to Office 365, users do not require any technical knowledge. Its simple user interface makes the whole process easy for beginners and professional users.

Key Features of the OST to Office 365 Migration Tool

• This software is suitable and supports orphaned OST files.
• It helps to maintain folder hierarchy and preserves metadata. 
• It supports bulk data migration of your OST files.
• Before you begin the conversion, it provides a preview option to see your files.
• It has various filters for selective mailbox data migration.

Steps to Import OST into Office 365

1. First, install and launch the OST to Office 365 Migration Tool.
2. Select File/Folder and browse the .ost file in your device >> Open.
3. A tree structure appears where all your folder located, preview it >> Next.
4. Next, from the email client, choose Office 365 and enter the login details.
5. Apply the filters for selective data migration to Office 365.
6. Click on Path to save the files to your preferred location and click Convert.

Comparison: Manual vs Professional Method

Feature	Manual Method	Professional Software
Requires Outlook	Yes	No
Handles Corrupt OST	No	Yes
Technical Expertise	Required	Minimal
Bulk Migration	Limited	Supported
Data Safety	Moderate	High

Pro Tips Before Importing OST into Office 365

• Make sure to take a backup of your important mailbox data for future use.
• Before you proceed, verify the Office 365 credentials to avoid any interruption.
• Moreover, keep in mind that you’re connected to a stable internet.
• Furthermore, it is suggested to keep your Outlook closed during the migration process.

Main takeaways

To conclude, with the right approach, the process becomes much easier to import OST into Office 365.

While the manual method can help to transfer mailbox data, it requires technical knowledge.

Also, it is not effective for large or inaccessible OST files; as a result, it consumes a lot of time and effort.

On the other hand, a professional solution simplifies the migration process by directly moving the data to Office 365 with minimal steps. It helps to maintain the mailbox structure and attachments.

Before you start the process, always verify your Office 365 account details and keep a backup of your important data. 

Some Handy Frequently Asked Questions

Q.1. How do I transfer OST emails to Office 365 without Outlook?

You can use a professional OST to Office 365 migration tool to transfer mailbox data without installing Outlook. 

Q.2. Which tool is recommended to import OST into Office 365 safely?

Ans. A reliable OST to Office 365 migration tool is recommended for secure and error-free mailbox transfer. 

Q.3. Is there a free method to import OST into Office 365?

Yes, you can first convert OST files to PST using Outlook and then import the PST into Office 365 manually. 

Q.4. How do I verify a successful OST import into Office 365?

Check mailbox folders, email count, attachments, and recent emails in Office 365 to confirm successful migration.