Contact data stored in a database or spreadsheet can be easily imported into Outlook. In this guide, we'll show you how to import contacts from a CSV file using Outlook 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, Outlook for Microsoft 365, and Outlook.com.

In your database or spreadsheet program, export the contact information to a comma-separated values (CSV) file. Make sure that the columns have meaningful headers, although they do not have to match the fields used in the Outlook Address Book exactly. You can manually map columns to fields during the import process.

The screenshots below are for Outlook 2016. Screens in other versions of Outlook may vary slightly, but the steps are the same. Any variations for older versions are noted.

Click Open & Export. In Outlook 2010, click Open.