How to Import OST into Office 365 (Exchange Online)

Migrating from Exchange online to Office 365 requires proper planning and management. Having the Exchange mailbox data on a cloud platform like Office 365 has several advantages like quick data access and no downtime maintenance. Most users prefer to keep a copy of it on Office 365 as it is a reliable platform to move their offline Outlook Data File(OST).

When the user asks the Exchange Administrator to export mailboxes with data locked inside OST files, the mailboxes could not be imported directly in Office 365. This is because they are a cache of the mailbox on the server and require Exchange or associated profiles. Here we will learn three methods of importing OST files into Office 365 so that the user can choose a suitable one for their migration.

Method 1: After Converting OST Files to PST Format and Uploading it to Office 365

It is an indirect method to import OST files into Office 365. First, convert the OST files to PST format. After that, we upload the PST files to Office 365.

STEP 1: Convert OST files to PST format

1. Open your Outlook account. Now click on “File” then “Import and Export.”
2. Select the “Export to a file” option and click on “Next.”
3. Choose the “Personal Folder File (.pst)” option and click on “Next.”
4. Select email or folder and check on “Include Subfolder,” then click on “Next.”
5. Browse the location where you want to save the file, check “Replace duplicate with items imported,” and click on “Next.”
6. Type in a password (if you wish, otherwise skip it) and click on “Ok.”

Note: If the Exchange server is offline or not connected to the server, this time-given method will not work. In that case, use the OST to PST converter tool for converting OST files into PST format.

STEP 2: Migrate PST files to the Office 365 Cloud Platform

1. Log in to your Office 365 account, go to “Admin Center,” then click on “Exchange.”
2. The Exchange Admin Center(EMC) window will appear. Now go to “Permissions” and double click on “Organization Management.” A new popup appears; click on the “+” sign to select “Mailbox Import Export.” Click on “Add,” then click on “Ok.”
3. Now again, select “Mailbox Import Export” and click on “Save.”
4. Go to “Admin Center,” select “Setup,” then select “Data Migration,” and click on “Upload file.”
5. Later click on “New Import Job,” enter the job name, and click on “Next.”
6. Select “Upload Your Date,” then click on “Next.”
7. You will see a window; click on “Show Network Upload SAS URL,” copy the URL and paste it in the notepad.
8. Download Azure AzCopy. Click on “Run,” and the tool gets installed.

Note: While importing PST files into Office 365, permit the folder or file you want to import and copy the Network Path.

9. Open the Microsoft Azure AzCopy tool and type in: AzCopy.exe /Source: Network Path or File location /Dest:”SAS URL” /V: location path where you want to save the log file /AzCopy.log /Y and press “Enter.”

Sample Code:AzCopy.exe /Source:\DESKTOP-MPKVU38UsersleDesktopImport /Dest:"https://476d07f3b7d444a7a00a5a7.blob.core.windows.net/ingestiondata?sv=2015-04-05&sr=c&si=IngestionSasForAzCopy201806090656050007&sig=hccYVWvlkOhp6FISVYywwt9W9YlzRoQfXqGZvq14jqM%3D&se=2018-07-09T06%3A56%3A09Z" /V:c:UsersleDesktopAzCopy.log /Y

10. After uploading the PST file, create a CSV file to map the PST file into the mailbox account.
11. Open the import data window, checkmark both options, and click on “Next.”
12. Click on “Select Mapping file,” select “Upload CSV file,” click on “Validate,” and finally click on “Save.”

Your PST file was successfully uploaded into Office 365, so click on “Close.”

Method 2: Import Outlook OST into Office 365 Using Third-party Software

As we can see, the above method is very complex and time-consuming. So if one is not aware of the Azure AZCopy tool or PowerShell Commands, I will suggest the MailsDaddy OST to Office 365 Migration tool. This GUI-based application allows uploading OST file data into an Exchange Online mailbox in a few clicks only. The best thing about this tool is importing OST into Office 365 Primary and Archive mailboxes. The software is an easy-to-use application that does not require any PowerShell commands. Quickly migrate all data of your OST files like emails, attachments, tasks, appointments, meetings, and contacts to an Office 365 cloud environment with the following steps:

1. Download and install the software on your PC.
2. Launch the tool and browse your OST file by clicking on the “Add File” button.
3. The software will preview all data. Click on the “Export” button.
4. Enter Office 365 login credentials and click on the “Sign In” button. That’s it, and we are good to go.

Method 3: Converting OST Files to PST Format and drive shipping PST files to Office 365

It is an indirect method to import OST files into Office 365. First, convert the OST files to PST format. After that, we drive the PST files to the cloud.

STEP 1: Convert OST files to PST files

1. Open your Outlook account. Now click on “File,” then “Import and Export.”
2. Select the “Export to a file” option and click on “Next.”
3. Pick the “Personal Folder File (.pst)” option, and click on “Next.”
4. Choose email or folder, check on “Include Subfolder,” then click on “Next.”
5. Browse the location where you want to save the file, check “Replace duplicate with items imported,” and click on “Next.”
6. Type in a password (if you want, otherwise skip it) and click on “Ok.”

STEP 2: Drive Ship PST files to Office 365

Following these steps, “Drive Shipping to Microsoft,” users can easily upload their PST field to a hard drive and send it to Microsoft. Next, it seamlessly copies and uploads the data from its disk drive to Office 365.

Conclusion

In this post, we have discussed three possible ways of importing OST into an Office 365 mailbox. The first method is quite time-consuming. The second method is fast for uploading OST files to Exchange Online. Finally, the third method is reliable as Microsoft itself recommends it. So one can choose a way according to their requirements.