2 Free Methods to Quickly Convert PST Files to CSV in Bulk

Written By
Abhishek Singh
Updated on
November 11th, 2025
Read Time
5 minutes

Introduction: Outlook PST stores huge amounts of data of the users on a regular basis. However, there are times when PST contacts are messed up and difficult to understand. Therefore, a need arises to store them in an easily understandable and widely compatible format. Thus, users convert PST files to CSV, i.e., an Excel format, and best to store data like contacts. Furthermore, to streamline this conversion, read the blog and learn about the MacSonik PST Converter and other effective solutions.

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Table of Contents

Difference Between PST and CSV

To convert PST to CSV, one must know how these two file formats differ.

PST (Personal Storage Table) is an Outlook-compatible format and thus, can only be accessed within Outlook. It stores all Outlook data like emails, contacts, calendars, notes, tasks, journals, etc. with attachments. PST files can be opened with Microsoft Exchange but require a good internet connection.

Whereas, CSV (Comma Separated Value) is a format supported by MS Excel to store data separated by a comma. It is plain text in a spreadsheet, divided into rows and columns, and can be accessed with different applications. In addition, there are many other benefits of PST to CSV conversion.

Reasons to Convert PST Files to CSV

The substantial reasons that facilitate PST conversion to CSV are mentioned here:

Changing data from mail to a document format for better management.
View CSV files with Excel, Google Sheets, Outlook, and other applications.
CSV files are easily organized, edited, and shared, that too in bulk.
Used for legal compliance and regulatory purposes as vital evidence.
CSV files are small and protect data from quick corruption or leaks.

Best Methods to Export PST to CSV in Bulk

There are numerous ways available for PST conversion. But the two topmost ways are converting PST to CSV with or without Outlook. This includes a manual way as well as a professional tool. You will get to know how in the upcoming section. Explore the detailed procedure of the methods below.

Manually Convert PST Files to CSV With Microsoft Outlook

Follow the given steps in order for a successful conversion:

In Outlook, from the top bar, click the File tab.
Tap Open & Export in the left pane and select feature: Import/Export.

Then, pick an option named Export to a File and press Next.

In the next dialog window, choose Comma Separated Value (CSV). Hit Next.

Select the folder containing PST files to export and click Next.

Further, tap Browse to provide the path for saving the output CSV. Hit Next.

Lastly, Map Custom Fields, choose other features and click Finish.

With this, the process of converting PST files to CSV is complete. Though this method is free, it has some limits.

Drawbacks of the Manual Method

The method is risky and technical knowledge is required.
It takes a lot of time if the file is large and contains attachments.
The original format of the file is compromised and data loss can occur.

So, to avoid these limitations, go through the below-explained professional tool to convert PST files to CSV.

Dedicated Tool to Convert PST File to CSV Without Outlook

To do so, no manual method prevails. But we have the best MacSonik PST Converter Tool for the conversion in just no time. This tool is an excellent solution to convert PST to CSV in bulk without any size limits. Along with that, convert PST to PDF, and into EML, PDF, HTML, and other file extensions. Moreover, the tool enables all tech and non-tech users to operate it smoothly on any Windows OS. Some additional exclusive features that this reliable tool provides are:

Retain data integrity and folder structure during and after conversion.
Import PST to Yahoo Mail, Gmail, Thunderbird, Office 365, and other clients.
Provides various filters that make the resultant file more enhanced.

Steps for PST to CSV Conversion

Start the MacSonik PST Converter as an admin. Select an option for files/folder and hit Next.
Locate and add PST files for conversion to CSV. Click Open and then, Next.
Select PST folders from the tree hierarchy in the preview panel. Tap Next.

Further, under File Formats, pick CSV from the drop-down menu to save.
Subsequently, mark filters and click Path to Save to provide a destination.
At last, click Convert to complete converting PST Files to CSV.

Conclusion

To sum up, this blog described all about PST and CSV file formats and their conversion needs. We learned a manual and a professional solution to convert PST files to CSV. However, the freeway, i.e., using Outlook for PST conversion isn’t an accurate solution and may pose complexities. Therefore, for a flawless conversion without using Outlook, users must opt for the recommended professional tool.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How do I convert a PST file to CSV for free?

Ans: For a free conversion, you can use the manual method using the MS Outlook application. However, this free method doesn’t assure data security and also requires technical expertise. Instead, you can use the PST Converter Tool by expert recommendation. It provides 100% accuracy, is user-friendly, and highly sec

Q. Can I convert PST file to CSV without attachments?

Ans: Yes, you can convert PST to CSV without attachments through the PST Converter Tool. It has an option to (Migrate or Backup Emails Without Attachment Files.) This feature enables you to exclude all the attachments from the file immediately.

About The Author

Abhishek Singh

Abhishek Singh is a Technical Content Writer at Aryson Technologies, where he specializes in creating clear and insightful content on data migration, email management, and file recovery solutions. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for simplifying complex technical concepts, he helps users understand and navigate advanced software tools with ease.