Top 2 Methods to Import OST Files to Office 365 Account

Many organizations are shifting to cloud-based email services, such as Office 365, to ensure seamless collaboration. In such cases, users may have local OST files containing their mailbox data. These files need to be imported into Office 365 to maintain the continuity of email services in the new environment. There are a few simple ways to achieve this: You can import OST files into Office 365 using the Outlook application. Alternatively, you can directly import OST files into Office 365 using a professional tool, such as the OST to Office 365 Migration Tool, which allows for a direct migration of OST files into Office 365.

Reasons to Import OST Into Office 365

Here are some key reasons to import OST files into Office 365:

1. Making it easier to manage and access emails from a single platform.
2. Office 365 offers advanced features and tools.
3. Integration with other Microsoft services and enhanced security are key benefits. 
4. Users can also access their email from any device with an internet connection.
5. Built-in backup and recovery options.

By importing OST files into Office 365, users and organizations can take advantage of these benefits, ensuring a smooth transition and continued access to critical email data.

Different Ways to Import Outlook OST to Office 365 Account

Numerous methods exist online for importing OST files into Office 365, but many of them can be complex and challenging to execute. After extensive research, we found the top two methods that simplify the conversion process for users. Let’s begin with the manual approach.

Manual Methods to Import OST to Office 365 Account

The manual process involves two steps:

1. Transform the OST files into PST format.

2. Import the PST files into your Office 365 account.

Step 1: Transform the OST Files into PST Format

1. Download and Open the MS Outlook application on your device.
2. After that, under info Go to the File menu and then the Import and Export option.
3. Now, Select the Export to a File option. Choose PST as a saving file.
4. Now, Choose Outlook Data File (.pst) and click Next.
5. Then, select the OST file or folder you want to convert. 
6. After that, Specify a location to save the new PST file
7. In the end, click on the OK button to save the file.

Step 2: Upload OST to Office 365 Account

Next, we’ll review the second method for importing PST files into Outlook Web. 

1. Sign in using your Office 365 with your credentials.
2. Now, go to the security compliance center, select the data governance option, and then click on Import.
3. After that, click New Import job and enter a name to the import job.
4. Now, opt for the Show Network Upload SAS URL and copy the URL provided. 
5. Then, choose the upload option and select Azure Azcopy to download the Azure Azcopy utility.
6. Next, download and install the Azure AzCopy software. Then, use it to import the PST file into the Outlook Web App.
7. Now, follow and run the commands below to import the PST file into Outlook Web App

AzCopy.exe./Source:/File Location /Dest: “SAS URL”/V: location path where you want to save log file/AzCopy.log/Y.

Create a CSV file with details about users’ mailboxes and the PST files. This CSV file will be used when setting up the import job.  After creating the CSV file, users need to validate it.

1. In the Import Data section, select the option indicating that you have finished uploading your files and have access to the mapping file.
2. After that, upload the CSV file and Validate CSV File. 
3. Office 365 will then review the data and let you set any filters you need before importing the PST files.
4. In the end, click Import Data to start the import process.

Drawbacks of Import OST to Office 365

Importing OST files to Office 365 can be a practical solution but comes with several potential drawbacks:

1. Loss of metadata
2. Large OST files can introduce challenges.
3. The import process can be lengthy.
4. File compatibility issues.
5. May not import correctly.
6. Increasing the risk of user error.
7. Large volumes of data can impact performance.

To mitigate these drawbacks, it’s important to plan the import carefully, ensure that you have backups, and consider breaking down large OST files into smaller segments if possible.

Professional Ways to Add OST Files to Outlook 365 Securely

The DRS OST to Office 365 Migration Tool is a highly reliable tool for converting Outlook OST files to PST format. It ensures that the file content remains unaltered during the conversion process. The tool exports OST files to various file formats and email clients as needed. It is a sophisticated tool with exclusive features designed to make the conversion process both easy and accurate.

Simple Steps to Import OST to Office 365

1. Launch the DRS OST to Office 365 Migration Tool on your system.
2. Opt for the Single Files/Multiple File Option.
3. Click Select File and choose Desired OST File Option.
4. Then, Choose an item from the mailbox preview option.
5. After that, you will see an Office 365 login window. Fill in the login credentials of your Office 365 email account. 
6. Now, choose the desired user mailboxes to which you want to migrate the Outlook OST files.
7. The tool provides you OST to Office mailbox account mapping option.
8. Now, Choose the additional option to meet your requirements.
9. After that, select the desired location to save the output file.
10. In the end, click on the convert button to import OST to PST seamlessly.

Conclusion

In this blog, we’ve outlined various straightforward methods to import OST to Office 365 accounts. One approach involves using the Outlook email client, while a more reliable option is the DRS OST to Office 365 Converter. Which directly imports OST files into Microsoft Office 365 through simple steps. Importing OST files using Outlook requires a certain level of technical expertise. Therefore, I recommend using the DRS OST to Office 365 Converter for a faster and more accurate import process.

Also Read: How to Convert OST File to MBOX Format?