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Informative Guide to Transfer Address Book From Thunderbird to Outlook 2016

  author
Nimisha Ramesh   
Published: Sep 12, 2018 • Outlook • 5 Min Read

Transfer Address Book FromThunderbird To Outlook 2016

In recent years, the popularity of Microsoft Outlook is increasing exponentially. Several officials have exported their existing email mailboxes in Outlook email client. But, no one can deny the truth that transferring emails from Thunderbird profile to Outlook is a difficult and challenging task to perform. Now a question arises that how to transfer address book from Thunderbird to Outlook 2016 without any data loss? This post is going to answer out this question through a descriptive solution of moving Thunderbird contacts data to Outlook 2016, 2013, 2010, etc.

Need to Export Contacts From Mozilla Thunderbird to Outlook

  • Every official knows the fact that MS Outlook 2016 is far better than that of Mozilla Thunderbird in aspects of platform compatibility and features.
  • Enterprises find it easy to manage personal information in Outlook rather than in Thunderbird Transfer Address Book From Thunderbird To Outlook 2016 email client.
  • In comparison to the Thunderbird app, MS Outlook is more user-friendly and flexible in use.
  • Microsoft Outlook email program simultaneously configures several email account on an individual interface.

User-Based Scenarios

In order to learn the importance or requirement of the Thunderbird folder to Outlook contacts migration in a more clear manner, you can go through few users posted scenarios :

  • “My college friend wishes to render me his Mozilla Thunderbird contact data with me. However, I am using Microsoft Outlook 2013 email client in my laptop. This type of difference in between the email clients is stopping us from sharing contacts information. Can anyone suggest the solution to convert and open Thunderbird address book in Outlook?”
  • “I was working on Thunderbird for my personal need on my laptop. After seeing the popularity of Microsoft Outlook in today’s date, now I have purchased the Microsoft Office 2016 suite. Now the problem is that I want to transfer address book from Thunderbird to Outlook 2016 email client. I am totally unaware from the solution of the same. Is there any tech friend in my profile who can help me out with this?”

Important Notes While Transferring Contacts From Thunderbird to Outlook

At the time of Exporting address book from Thunderbird email client to Outlook 2016, the following points need to be kept in mind :

  • Mozilla Thunderbird uses MBOX file format for saving mailbox data and Outlook email program uses OST or PST database.
  • There is no direct manual strategy to convert all mailboxes of MBOX file simultaneously into PST file format. In the manual method, one needs to convert emails data and contacts separately.

Transfer Address Book From Thunderbird to Outlook 2016

There are two major steps to be performed in order to move Thunderbird contacts to Outlook 2016 email client.

# Migrate Thunderbird contacts to CSV file format
# Import CSV file in Microsoft Outlook email client
Following guidelines will first assist you to save Thunderbird address book in .csv format :
Step 1: Open Mozilla Thunderbird desktop application on your PC and click on Address Book button

open mozilla thunderbird

Step 2: Click on Tools >> Export option

click on tool export
Step 3: This opens an Export Address Book window where you have to choose Comma Separated (System Charset) option from the drop-down menu of Save as type.

Step 4: Locate the path where you desire to save the resultant CSV file and click on Save button

select comma separated and save as type

Step 5: Automatically, another window to export ‘collected addresses’ contacts of Thunderbird to CSV will appear. Click on the drop-down button of Save as Type and select Comma Separated (System Charset) option from the list.
Step 6: Select the location where you want to save the address book file and click on Save button

select location and save file
Step 7: Finally you are done with exporting of Thunderbird contacts to CSV file format

successfully 7) exporting of Thunderbird contacts to CSV file format

Now you need to take help of below-mentioned instructions to import the CSV file into MS Outlook :

a) Open the Microsoft Outlook profile in which Thunderbird address book needs to be opened
b) Click on File >> Open & Export >> Import/Export to continue with transferring of address book from Thunderbird to Outlook 2016

Hit on File >> Open & Export >> Import/Export

c) An Import and Export Wizard gets opened in which you have to choose Import from another program or file option. Click Next to proceed further

choose Import from another program or file option
d) From the list of file type, click on Comma Separated Values >> Next)

click on Comma Separated Values >> Next
e) Click on Browse button to upload the CSV file, which was generated from Thunderbird email client.
f) Select anyone of the 3 suitable options and click on Next

select anyone option and click on Next

g) The current window asks you to locate Outlook address book folder where Thunderbird address book needs to be exported. Select the desired folder and click on Next

Select desired folder and click on Next
h) Check the checkbox of specified option and click on Finish button

click on Finish button

Observational Verdict

It is possible to transfer address book from Thunderbird to Outlook 2016, 2013, 2010, etc., without any use of third-party utility. A foolproof manual approach for the same is illustrated with screenshots in this blog. Individuals can execute these steps one-by-one and hence, open their Thunderbird contacts in Microsoft Outlook email client.

By Nimisha Ramesh

Nimisha Ramesh is a professional with a keen focus on branding and technical content writing. With a deep understanding of how to craft and convey brand messages, Nimisha excels in the art of branding, ensuring businesses leave a lasting impact. Her talent for technical content writing ensures that complex concepts are presented in a way that's clear and accessible to a wide audience. Nimisha's dual expertise in branding and content writing makes her a vital asset in shaping brand narratives and engaging audiences effectively.