Export Address Book from Thunderbird to Outlook: Quick Guide
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Written By
Aaradhya Jain -
Approved By
Shivam Rathore -
Updated on
August 13th, 2025 - Read Time
5 minutes
User Query: I’ve been using Mozilla Thunderbird for managing my emails and contacts for quite some time. But recently I switched to Microsoft Outlook. Now I need help to export Address Book from Thunderbird to Outlook without losing any contact details. What’s the simplest way to export my Thunderbird contacts and import them into Outlook?
Summary: If you want to switch from Mozilla Thunderbird to Microsoft Outlook, one of the most important steps is transferring your address book. Your contacts contain valuable information: email addresses, names, phone numbers, and sometimes even personal notes. However, exporting your address book from Thunderbird and importing it into Outlook isn’t as hectic as it may seem. This blog will explain the manual method and a professional DRS Thunderbird Backup Tool to migrate your contacts securely.
Steps to Export Address Book from Thunderbird to Outlook
- Download the DRS Thunderbird Backup Tool.
- Select the profile to export your data. Click Next.
- Choose the contacts to export. Again, hit Next.
- After that, choose PST as the Saving Format.
- Lastly, use advanced features and click Convert.
Why Export Thunderbird Contacts to Outlook?
Here are some common reasons users choose to transfer contacts from Thunderbird to Outlook:
- For better integration with Office apps like Word, Excel, and Teams.
- To centralize contact management in one place.
- Advanced features such as reminders and notes are available in Outlook.
- A professional email environment is preferred by most organizations.
- Also, cross-platform support and mobile syncing with Outlook.
Export Address Book from Thunderbird to Outlook Manually
To perform the manual method first, you need to save contacts in CSV format. Then, import them into Outlook. Here is how you can perform it:
Step 01: Export from Thunderbird
- Firstly, open Mozilla Thunderbird and click on Address Book.
- Now, select the contact list (e.g., Personal Address Book).
- After that, go to Tools and choose Export.
- Choose CSV as the file format and save the file to your system.
Step 02: Transfer Address Book Thunderbird to Outlook
- Primarily, launch Microsoft Outlook on your PC.
- Navigate to File > Open & Export > Import/Export.
- Choose Import from another program or file and click Next.
- Select Comma-Separated Values (CSV) and browse to the file you exported.
- Choose the Contacts folder in Outlook where you want to store them.
- In the end, optionally map fields for better accuracy, then click Finish.
Limitations of the Manual Method
While the manual method is free to use. But it has several drawbacks, including:
- It requires both Thunderbird and Outlook to be properly configured.
- Field mapping can be confusing for non-technical users.
- Limited support for special characters, formatting, or attachments.
- Can result in data loss or skipped fields during import.
- Also, time-consuming for bulk contact migration.
Export Address Book from Thunderbird to Outlook Professionally
To overcome these limitations, you can easily use the reliable DRS Thunderbird Backup Tool. This tool helps you export complete address books with all fields. It maintains folder structure and formatting throughout the entire process. An ideal solution for every user (Tech and Non-Tech). Also, offers several advanced features, Preview, Remove Duplicate, Date Filter, Split resultant PST file, and more. In addition, you can easily export Thunderbird Emails to PDF and other file/Email platforms.
One-Time Service Available
If you want a more customised and cost-effective transfer, you can immediately reach out to our 24/7 technical support for a one-time Thunderbird to PST backup.
How to Import Thunderbird Address Book into Outlook?
- Firstly, download and install the DRS Thunderbird Backup Tool on your PC.
- Then, choose the Thunderbird profile that you want to create a backup of.
- After that, you can verify the added emails and select them to export.
- Now, choose PST as the Saving Format from the drop-down list.
- In the end, use advanced features/filters and click Convert.
When to Use the DRS Thunderbird Backup Tool?
The professional tool is highly recommended when:
- If you have hundreds or thousands of contacts to migrate.
- To preserve the data structure and field with 100% accuracy.
- You don’t want to manually manage CSV files and mappings.
- Also, you need to convert contacts along with emails and other data.
Final Words
In this detailed blog post, we explored all the possible methods to export Address Book from Thunderbird to Outlook. The manual method is used to export a few contacts, and sometimes hectic to perform. That’s whyit’ss highly suggested to use the professional tool for a bulk exportation. Also, it supports several advanced features that make this transfer more reliable for every user. A demo (Free) version of this utility is accessible to understand its features and functions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ans: You can manually export contacts from Thunderbird in CSV format and import them into Outlook, or use the DRS Thunderbird Backup Tool to export them directly to PST format for Outlook.
Ans: Yes. The DRS Thunderbird Backup Tool offers a fully automated way to convert Thunderbird address books to Outlook-compatible formats without needing manual intervention.
Ans: The DRS Thunderbird Backup Tool method works on both platforms.
Ans: Yes, you can download and try the free version of the DRS Thunderbird Backup Tool to evaluate its features before purchasing.
About The Author:
I, Aaradhya Jain, a technical content writer at DRS Solutions, specializes in delivering clear, practical guides on data management, migration, and recovery tools. With a detail-oriented and user-first approach mindset, I transform complex processes into actionable insights for IT professionals and decision-makers.
