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Written By Simran Bhatia
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Updated on October 29th, 2025
Summary: When Microsoft Outlook is in offline mode, it saves all your mailbox data (email, calendar, tasks, contacts) to an OST (Offline Storage Table) file so that it is accessible during offline mode or when working in a remote setting. This works perfectly fine when Outlook is synchronized with the Exchange Server. However, there are instances when a link to your Exchange server is severed, making data difficult to access. This is when you need to extract calendar from OST file. Let’s take a look at manual ways and an OST to PST Converter for simplified extraction.
OST files are meant to allow temporary offline access, not long-term data storage. Once the original Outlook profile is deleted or Exchange access is eventually unavailable. The OST changes from a data synchronization file to an independent data repository. In such cases, the calendar, which contains all meeting schedules, appointments, and events, effectively becomes unloaded. And although the data still exists in the OST file, normal access to the data is impossible without conversion or extraction.
Therefore, typical scenarios that require you to extract calendar items from Outlook OST file include:
There exists a manual method and an alternative professional software to export calendar from the OST file. These methods are briefly discussed in the parts below. Explore them and also learn about the pros and cons of these methods.
If you still have access to your Outlook profile linked to Exchange or IMAP. Then, use the built-in Import/Export feature of Outlook to manually save calendar items from an OST. The process is as follows:
This procedure will export all calendar items to a PST file. Which you can later import into an additional Outlook account or share securely.
If Outlook does not open, or the OST file has been orphaned, the most dependable way to recover calendar items is to use a proper tool. An effective professional CloudXena OST to PST Converter can easily scan and extract calendars, contacts, and other mailbox items from the OST file directly. Even if you do not have Outlook, Exchange, or are unable to use either for some reason.

Why ICS?
ICS (Internet Calendar Scheduling) files are universally accessible across Google Calendar, Apple Calendar, Thunderbird, and other clients. They are supported to do an easy migration across multiple systems while still maintaining as much detail and reminders associated with the event. It is the native format for calendars and thus, ICS to extract calendar from OST file.
Note:
Retrieving calendars from an OST isn’t merely about recovering lost or accessible information. It’s about recovering individual appointments, meetings, and time-sensitive commitments. In fact, while Outlook provides a manual way to extract calendar from OST file from an active profile. It fails permanently in the event of orphaned or corrupted OST files. In cases like these, a professional OST Extractor allows the precision, security, and flexibility needed to recover the full contents of your calendar.
Ans. If your OST is accessible, then you can certainly take advantage of Outlook’s Import/Export feature. However, for an orphaned OST, a professional OST Converter is needed to save Calendar items from OST file safely.
Ans. Sure. Regardless of the state of your OST file, the advanced OST Extractor can export Calendar from OST. This includes meetings, reminders, and recurrences. Later, save this data in multiple formats, including PST, ICS, or CSV.
About The Author:
I, Simran Bhatia am a Technical Content Writer specializing in data management, email migration, and data recovery IT solutions. My focus is on simplifying complex processes into clear, practical guides that combine technical accuracy with real-world value for IT admins, decision-makers, and everyday users. For me, writing is not just about explaining technology, it’s about making it accessible, reliable, and valuable for readers.
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