Free Methods to Convert Lotus Notes Files to PST

Lotus Notes and Outlook are two important email clients used in an organization. In some situations, users need to switch to Outlook from Lotus Notes. Accessing NSF files directly in Microsoft Outlook, therefore, it needs to convert Lotus Notes files to PST file format. Let us know some of the necessities for this conversion and know the procedure to access NSF emails in MS Outlook.

Reasons behind IBM Notes to MS Outlook Migration

Migration of email data from Lotus Notes to Outlook has various reasons –

1. Outlook is cost-effective when you compare it with Lotus Notes
2. With Outlook, multiple accounts are configured simultaneously
3. MS Outlook is more friendly. It is suitable for both novice and technically sound persons.
4. Job switch is another reason which demands migration when you have Outlook in a new working place.

Is it possible to open NSF file in MS Outlook?

No, it is not possible to open NSF file directly in MS Outlook. To access Lotus Notes data to Outlook, it needs migration of database. Since Lotus Notes NSF files are directly not accessible in Outlook as they use different file formats to save the database (Lotus Notes stores data in .nsf file format and Outlook in .pst file format)

To access the data to Outlook from Lotus Notes, first Lotus Notes NSF file needs to be converted into PST file format. For this, two methods are available – manual method and third-party tool i.e. Softaken Lotus Notes to Outlook Converter.

Manual solution to convert NSF file into PST file format

It is a free solution to perform NSF to PST Conversion. Before using this method, it is recommended to create a copy of original IBM Notes NSF file, as the file may damage while conversion.

The manual solution to convert NSF file into PST is divided into two stages –

1. Export NSF file from Lotus Notes & save the data in CSV file
2. Import CSV file into Microsoft Outlook

Step 1. Export NSF file into CSV

In order to export NSF file from Lotus Notes, follow the steps given below –

1. Launch IBM Notes application.
2. Go to File > Open > Lotus Notes application.
3. In Open Application window, browse the required NSF file and click Open. The selected NSF file is opened.
   
   
   
4. Select Comma Separated Value under save as type.
5. Click on Export button
   
   
   
6. A dialogue box CSV Export is opened, select the required options and click OK.
   
   
   
7. The exported data gets exported in CSV file format at user-defined location.

Step 2. Import CSV in Outlook

Now, to import CSV file into MS Outlook, follow the steps –

1. Launch Microsoft Outlook program.
2. In File menu, click Open & Export and then click Import/Export.
   
   
   
3. Import and Export wizard dialogue box appears, Select Import from another program or file from the available options and click Next.
   
   
   
4. Select Comma Separated Values in select file type and click Next.
   
   
   
5. Click Browse button and select the path to save CSV file. You can select the options according to your needs.
   
   
   
6. Select folder of MS Outlook where you want to save the exported data and click Next.
   
   
   
7. Select the checkbox in import a file dialogue box and click Finish. You can change your destination or map custom fields by clicking on the same name options.
   
   
   
8. The data from CSV would be imported to MS Outlook.

Challenges faced in manual NSF to PST Conversion

The free NSF to PST Conversion method is useful in some situations. But it contains a few limitations. A few of them are –

1. Complicated and tough method for a novice user
2. Time-consuming solution
3. Might cause corruption in NSF file if not handled correctly
4. Selective conversion is not possible
5. Convert a single NSF file at a time, which makes the process lengthy.

Professional solution for NSF to PST Conversion

Softaken Lotus Notes to Outlook Converter is a powerful solution to export Lotus Notes files to Outlook. It has many advantages over the free solution. The tool provides a direct facility to export Lotus Notes files to Outlook. Users can export specific data using the filter options of this application.

Easy steps for NSF to PST Conversion

Start the software to convert NSF files to PST files. You can easily export any large NSF file with this software. You can get a full preview of Lotus Notes emails and later on export them to PST file format.

The tool provides users the option to export Lotus Notes files to Outlook PST file format without any trouble. You can comfortably export Lotus Notes complete database – emails, contacts, notes, calendars, journals, and others into Outlook PST file format. You can easily export desired items from NSF file.

1. Run the software and add NSF fileusing the Browse button.
   
   
   
2. After adding NSF file, you will find the NSF file preview. Mark the desired folders from NSF file and export them.
   
   
   
3. Under Export Type, select Convert NSF to PST. Under select options, you can choose folders or complete PST file.
   
   
   
4. Use the Browse button and provide a location where you want to save the exported PST file.
5. Hit the Convert Now button and this will start the process of conversion.

You will get PST file format in results and view them in MS Outlook application.

Conclusion

Softaken for Lotus Notes to Outlook Converter easily converts NSF files into PST files. This is one of the best alternatives to free NSF to PST Conversion solution. The tool easily supports all versions of Outlook, Lotus Notes, and Windows versions. You can check the free demo of this application before getting the license of the tool.