missing files legacy mac outlook transition

Question

missing files legacy mac outlook transition

Ralph Pulido 0

I've transitioned from mac legacy outlook to new mac outlook. I only have emails. all other files and folders are missing. How do I import old files to new mac outlook?

Martin Šamudovský 180 Reputation points

2026-04-15T20:45:07.95+00:00

Hi Ralph, When moving from Legacy Outlook for Mac to the new Outlook for Mac, only mail items sync automatically because the new Outlook relies entirely on server‑based data. Legacy Outlook stored many items locally, which means folders such as On My Computer, archives, or custom local files won’t appear unless they’re manually imported.

To bring those missing items into the new Outlook, you’ll need to export the data from Legacy Outlook (usually as an OLM file) and then import it into the new Outlook. Once imported, the folders should appear alongside your existing mailbox data.

Hope this helps, Martin.

Note: The response is drafted with the help of AI systems.
Ralph Pulido 0 Reputation points

2026-04-15T22:47:38.6566667+00:00

Martin, thank you for your reply.

Sadly, when I do that, the new outlook has blured out the import option. I can't do it. Very frustrating.
Martin Šamudovský 180 Reputation points

2026-04-15T22:53:44.27+00:00

Hi Ralph, If the Import option is greyed out in the new Outlook for Mac, that usually means the app is still running in the “New Outlook” mode, which unfortunately does not support importing legacy Outlook data.

To enable importing, switch back to Legacy Outlook temporarily:

In Outlook, look for the “New Outlook” toggle in the top-right corner.

Turn it off to return to Legacy Outlook.

Once you're back in Legacy Outlook, go to File → Import and bring in your old files or folders.

After everything imports correctly, you can switch back to the new Outlook interface.

It’s a bit clunky, but it’s currently the only way to bring old data into the new version.

Let me know if you want help finding the toggle or if it’s missing.

Hope this helps,Martin.

Note: The responde is drafted with the help of AI systems
Martin Šamudovský 180 Reputation points

2026-04-15T22:57:57.4533333+00:00

Hi Ralph, I’ve uploaded the final answer to your question. It should be fixed now.
Ralph Pulido 0 Reputation points

2026-04-16T04:02:01.9066667+00:00

Hi Martin, I carefully read and followed your instructions however, new outlook on the top right does not have the option of turning it off. Only under "Outlook". The legacy outlook does have that option, yet all it does is revert to new outlook. I've spent the good portion of the day on this to no avail. I'm not sure what I've done throughout the day but now I've lost or misplaced all my contacts, notes, folders and emails in those folders - are gone on the legacy outlook. All because I wanted to change my existing email address to a yahoo email.

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Martin Šamudovský 180 Reputation points

2026-04-15T20:45:07.95+00:00

Hi Ralph, When moving from Legacy Outlook for Mac to the new Outlook for Mac, only mail items sync automatically because the new Outlook relies entirely on server‑based data. Legacy Outlook stored many items locally, which means folders such as On My Computer, archives, or custom local files won’t appear unless they’re manually imported.

To bring those missing items into the new Outlook, you’ll need to export the data from Legacy Outlook (usually as an OLM file) and then import it into the new Outlook. Once imported, the folders should appear alongside your existing mailbox data.

Hope this helps, Martin.

Note: The response is drafted with the help of AI systems.
Ralph Pulido 0 Reputation points

2026-04-15T22:47:38.6566667+00:00

Martin, thank you for your reply.

Sadly, when I do that, the new outlook has blured out the import option. I can't do it. Very frustrating.
Martin Šamudovský 180 Reputation points

2026-04-15T22:53:44.27+00:00

Hi Ralph, If the Import option is greyed out in the new Outlook for Mac, that usually means the app is still running in the “New Outlook” mode, which unfortunately does not support importing legacy Outlook data.

To enable importing, switch back to Legacy Outlook temporarily:

In Outlook, look for the “New Outlook” toggle in the top-right corner.

Turn it off to return to Legacy Outlook.

Once you're back in Legacy Outlook, go to File → Import and bring in your old files or folders.

After everything imports correctly, you can switch back to the new Outlook interface.

It’s a bit clunky, but it’s currently the only way to bring old data into the new version.

Let me know if you want help finding the toggle or if it’s missing.

Hope this helps,Martin.

Note: The responde is drafted with the help of AI systems
Martin Šamudovský 180 Reputation points

2026-04-15T22:57:57.4533333+00:00

Hi Ralph, I’ve uploaded the final answer to your question. It should be fixed now.
Ralph Pulido 0 Reputation points

2026-04-16T04:02:01.9066667+00:00

Hi Martin, I carefully read and followed your instructions however, new outlook on the top right does not have the option of turning it off. Only under "Outlook". The legacy outlook does have that option, yet all it does is revert to new outlook. I've spent the good portion of the day on this to no avail. I'm not sure what I've done throughout the day but now I've lost or misplaced all my contacts, notes, folders and emails in those folders - are gone on the legacy outlook. All because I wanted to change my existing email address to a yahoo email.

Answer 1

Hi Ralph Pulido,

What you’re seeing can happen when older local data was stored in “On My Computer” folders in Legacy Outlook. Those local folders do not automatically appear the same way after switching to New Outlook, and accounts added in New Outlook are not automatically available in Legacy Outlook. If your Outlook build still supports it, the standard way to switch back is Help > Revert to Legacy Outlook.

If the option to revert is missing, first check for updates under Help > Check for Updates or update Outlook from the Apple App Store. If you are using Legacy Outlook from Office Home & Business 2024. kindly note that in Office 2024 Home & Business for Mac, the missing toggle is expected behavior because that edition no longer includes Legacy Outlook. For your reference: The Toggle Button to revert to Legacy Outlook Client is missing in Office 2024 Home and Business for Mac

If reverting to Legacy is not possible, you may try importing local data directly in New Outlook (if supported by your build): go to Settings and uncheck Hide “On My Computer” folders, then try the “On My Computer” import option under File.

You can also kindly contact Microsoft Support for further insight as well.

Please note that this is a user-to-user support forum. Moderators and contributors (including external Microsoft employees) cannot directly intervene in product features or access back-end systems. Assistance here is limited to providing technical guidance only.

Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

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