How to Backup Outlook Contacts

Backing up your Office 365 data is a great way to keep it safe. If you backup contacts, you can always restore them in case of an emergency through data recovery. One reliable method is to export contacts from Outlook 365 into a PST file. Let’s take a look at two ways how to backup Outlook Contacts: exporting a PST file and using backup software. Note that Outlook or Windows contact data is separate from iPhone contacts.

Backup Process 1: Export Outlook Contacts to a PST File

Export Outlook contacts, here’s how::

1. Open Outlook, Click File , select Open & Export , then click Import/Export.

2. Choose Export to a file.

3. Select Outlook Data File. The exported files will be in the PST format.

4. Select Contacts so the exported file will contain your Outlook contacts data.

5. Browse for the location of your backup file, then Finish the operation. The PST file will be stored on your computer. 

However, this method has some limitations and inconveniences: 

• The PST file is not updated automatically. Each time a new contact appears you need to repeat the backup process to keep your backup up-to-date.
• Now you need to choose how to protect backup data as well. You can read here about the pros and cons of on-premises and cloud backups. 
• Should you choose to store the PST file of a computer, your backup data may be lost if something happens to the computer.
• Storing the contacts backup in Office 365 cloud exposes it to the same threats as the original contacts data (exporting Outlook contacts to a local PST file can be a safer alternative.)
• Using cloud storage to secure the backup data may not be the best idea, as cloud storages are vulnerable.

Looking to backup other Office 365 services? Read our comprehensive guides on Outlook and OneDrive backup. 

To optimize the backup process, make it more convenient and secure, you can use specialized backup software.

Backup Process 2: Backup Contacts in Outlook Using Backup Software

With SpinBackup for Office 365, you can keep your Office 365 data automatically backed up and secure. However, there is an option to backup any service (including Office 365 contacts) manually. And that’s how.

1. Go to the Users section and click on the user whose data you need to back up. Click on the Contacts.

2. Select the Contacts and click Backup.

Done! In a similar way, you can backup Outlook, OneDrive, Calendars, and Sharepoint. Would you like to find out more? Get a Demo or start a Free Trial. 

Why SpinBackup? 

SpinBackup is an automated backup solution, designed to keep your data secure and save your time. Our backup solution surpasses the limitations of Office 365 native backup options.

Unlike Office 365, it provides a full backup to ensure your data is truly secure. What makes SpinBackup a perfect solution for you?

• Backs up OneDrive, Microsoft Exchange and Outlook items, including Calendars and Contacts.
• Restore contacts and contact information plus other data recovery options with ease.
• Indefinite data retention.
• Customization.
• Several backup versions to recover your data from.
• Backup data is kept separately from the source data, in the cloud of your choice (Amazon AWS or Google’s GCP).
• You have the same folder hierarchy of restored data as in your original files, so you can restore your items exactly to the folders they were deleted from.
• Save your time and effort with our user-friendly interface.

For an additional layer of protection, you can use SpinSecurity, our ransomware protection solution for Office 365. You can read more about it here.

Try SpinOne for free

Frequently Asked Questions