How to get Legacy outlook

Question

How to get Legacy outlook

Tim Richards 0

I have Outlook for Mac v. 16.43 and need to use Legacy Outlook to export my contacts to my new Laptop (which has v. 16.111.2)

Tim Richards 0 Reputation points

2026-08-24T15:43:38.94+00:00

This hasn't worked so far. I exported the contacts successfully into an 'Outlook for Mac Archive.olm' folder, which is now on both desktops. On the new laptop I can only see 'Import' in the FILE tab, not the TOOLS tab as indicated. When I click on 'Import', the olm folder is greyed out so I can't import it. I'm stuck!
Hornblower409 14,425 Reputation points

2026-08-25T09:23:41.6733333+00:00

Tim,

Your Question is tagged Outlook | MacOS | Legacy Outlook for Mac . If you are using New Outlook for Mac this could be why the AI Answer didn't work for you. If so, edit your original Question (the stacked dots icon) and change the Tags.

If the AI Answer did not solve your problem:

Click the [No] button on the "Was this answer helpful?" bar under the answer. If there is a [Reject] button visible, click that too. This may get a human forum user to respond to your question. But human participation remains voluntary. Community members and moderators answer only those question they choose to engage with.

If that does not get you a human response, type "Not Solved" in the "Add Comment" box below and then click the [Add Comment] button. I will try to offer some suggestions on what you can do next.
Hornblower409 14,425 Reputation points

2026-08-25T09:37:25.92+00:00

Appears to be a duplicate or continuation of:

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/5984124/tryin-to-export-my-contacts-and-folders-from-imac

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/5984171/importing-contacts-to-outlook

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/5984183/importing-archived-olm-contacts-into-outlook-for-m

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/5984202/olm-archive-file-greyed-out

1 answer

Your answer

Tim Richards 0 Reputation points

2026-08-24T15:43:38.94+00:00

This hasn't worked so far. I exported the contacts successfully into an 'Outlook for Mac Archive.olm' folder, which is now on both desktops. On the new laptop I can only see 'Import' in the FILE tab, not the TOOLS tab as indicated. When I click on 'Import', the olm folder is greyed out so I can't import it. I'm stuck!
Hornblower409 14,425 Reputation points

2026-08-25T09:23:41.6733333+00:00

Tim,

Your Question is tagged Outlook | MacOS | Legacy Outlook for Mac . If you are using New Outlook for Mac this could be why the AI Answer didn't work for you. If so, edit your original Question (the stacked dots icon) and change the Tags.

If the AI Answer did not solve your problem:

Click the [No] button on the "Was this answer helpful?" bar under the answer. If there is a [Reject] button visible, click that too. This may get a human forum user to respond to your question. But human participation remains voluntary. Community members and moderators answer only those question they choose to engage with.

If that does not get you a human response, type "Not Solved" in the "Add Comment" box below and then click the [Add Comment] button. I will try to offer some suggestions on what you can do next.
Hornblower409 14,425 Reputation points

2026-08-25T09:37:25.92+00:00

Appears to be a duplicate or continuation of:

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/5984124/tryin-to-export-my-contacts-and-folders-from-imac

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/5984171/importing-contacts-to-outlook

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/5984183/importing-archived-olm-contacts-into-outlook-for-m

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/5984202/olm-archive-file-greyed-out

Answer 1

Use Legacy Outlook on the older Mac, then export contacts to an .olm file and import that file on the new Mac.

In Outlook for Mac 16.43, look for Tools > Export.
If Export is not on Tools, check File > Export.
If Export still does not appear, go to Help > Check for Updates and install Outlook updates.
In Export to Archive File (.olm), select the items to export, such as Contacts, then choose Continue.
Save the .olm file to a known location.
On the new laptop, open Outlook for Mac.
Go to Tools > Import.
Select Outlook for Mac archive file (.olm) > Continue.
Browse to the saved .olm file and choose Import.
Imported items appear under On My Computer.

Important supported limitations:

Outlook for Mac exports to .olm only.
Outlook for Mac does not offer export to .pst.
If On My Computer is hidden after import, go to Outlook > Settings… > General and clear Hide On My Computer folders.