A Step-by-Step Guide to Import OST to Office 365

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  • Updated on June 18th, 2025

Summary: An OST file is a Microsoft file that allows users to access and make changes to it without an internet connection. After returning to the internet, it will sync with the changes using Exchange Server. However, your data will not be secured as it can be corrupted easily. Therefore, users import OST to Office 365 to secure the data and easily access data from different devices.

Now, we provide the native and OST to PST Converter to do this process without disturbing the data. However, manual methods can be risky, so pick wisely after reading both solutions carefully.

Reasons to Import OST Emails to Office 365

Using OST files can be advantageous for working offline, but they come with certain risks. As a result, users often save OST files in Microsoft Office 365 for added security.

  • Since OST files are susceptible to corruption, users frequently import them to Office 365 to ensure the security of their data.
  • Storing data in Microsoft 365 helps protect it from unexpected threats and attacks.
  • Additionally, accessing OST files on other platforms can be challenging, so importing them to Office 365 to access OST file data across multiple devices.

How Do I Migrate OST to Office 365? Trusted Methods

Here, we’ll explore proven solutions to complete the process efficiently without any issues. There are two main approaches: manual and professional. The manual method involves using MS Outlook, while the professional method can be executed without Outlook. Let’s discuss them in detail.

#1 Native Approach to Import OST File into Office 365

We will provide multiple manual techniques to perform this process. To learn about it, read further.

Way 1. Convert OST to PST

To do this, you can use below methods:

Sol. 1 Use Outlook to Save OST as PST
  1. First, you have to open Outlook from the Application menu. Tap Open.
  2. Then, hit New Items -> More items and then pick Outlook Data File.
  3. After that, move data into a new folder to create a PST file.
  4. Further, pick an email and right-click on it -> Move -> Other Folder.
  5. Later, pick a new folder and tap OK.
Sol. 2 With Archive Feature
  1. To use the archive feature, visit the File in the Outlook application.
  2. From the Cleanup Tools, pick Archive.
  3. After that, archive emails or mailbox content at the desired location. Hit OK.
Sol. 3 Using Import/Export Outlook Feature
  1. To use this, navigate to File after running Outlook on your PC.
  2. Later, select the Open & Export option to use Import/Export. Click Import/Export.
  3. After that, tap Export to a file and choose Outlook Data File (.pst).
  4. Next, select the folder you want to convert and set the location to save in the system. Tap Finish.

Way 2. Move PST File to Office 365

Sol 1. Use Azure AzCopy

Step 1: Assign Admin Roles

  1. To assign a role, navigate to the Exchange Admin Center, tap Roles.
  2. Then, search for import export from the Admin Roles.
  3. Now, tap Add and choose the user to assign roles.
  4. Now, pick user -> Add.

Step 2: Use New Import Job

  1. For this, visit the homepage -> Data lifecycle management and then import.
  2. Afterwards, hit Import PST Files.
  3. Further, click + New import job and enter the desired job name.
  4. Later. Hit next and choose Upload your data -> Next.
  5. Subsequently, click Show network upload SAS URL.
  6. Now, press the Copy to clipboard -> Download Azure AzCopy.

Step 3: Save PST Files in Azure Storage

  1. To start, copy all the folders with PST files locally or on the Desktop.
  2. After that, run the command prompt and use it to navigate the extracted folder to find the azcopy.exe data file.
  3. Now, enter – pathToFolder/ContainingPST” “SAS URL” –recursive=true to upload PST files to Azure Storage.

Step 4: Check PST File Upload

  1. To do this, launch Azure Storage Explorer -> Blob container. Then, paste the SAS URL in the Blob container.
  2. After that, hit Next -> Connect.

Step 5: Map Your PST Files

  1. Using the PstImportMappingFile.csv sample can be helpful to import PSTs into Microsoft 365 mailboxes.

Step 6: Import OST to Outlook 365

  1. For this, tick: I’m done uploading my files, and I have access to the mapping file. Click Next.
  2. Then, hit + Select mapping file -> Validate.
  3. Later, click Submit -> Done.
  4. At the end, the import process is done when a message pops up Import Done.
Sol 2. Using the Drive shipping Method

To use Drive shipping, copy PST files locally or on a hard disk drive. After that, send it to Microsoft. After that, Microsoft will copy the data into the Office 365 mailbox.

From the above steps, you might understand that this process is lengthy and complicated. Also, it needs technical expertise to perform without any disturbance. If not, we have another solution to import the OST file to Microsoft 365 effortlessly and in no time.

#2. Professional Methods to Import OST to Office 365

OST to PST Converter Tool is an outstanding utility with numerous advanced features. It has a user-friendly interface, which makes it the perfect solution for importing OST to Office 365. Other than this, it helps users to view the OST file content before the process begins. Additionally, you can import OST to Outlook 365 without downloading the Outlook application. Besides, it allows users to customise the outcome according to the requirement. For instance, removing duplicates, importing emails with or without attachments, and many more, without damaging data.

Steps to Migrate OST Emails to Office 365

Follow the discussed steps to complete the process effectively and automatically.

  1. For this, you have to launch the OST Converter Software on your system.
  2. After this, pick the Select Files option to add OST files for importing. Click Open.
  3. Later, view or choose the files or folders to import into Microsoft 365. Tap Next.
  4. Then, select Office 365 from the Migrate As menu.
  5. Further, provide the credentials to login and click Sign In.
  6. At last, hit the Convert tab to begin the importing of OST to Outlook 365.

Also read: Convert OST to EML

Conclusion

Here, this blog provides different methods to end this process effectively. Among the different ways, a traditional and an automated method, pick the best solution that helps you complete the task instantly with minimal risk. In such a case, a professional approach is highly approachable as it helps in completing the process efficiently while keeping the data secure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. How to import an OST file in Office 365?

Ans. To import an OST to MS Office 365, go through the steps below. 
1. First of all, save OST files as PST using Import/Export. 
2. Then, use Azure AzCopy to import PST files into Microsoft 365.

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