How do I Convert Lotus Notes to Outlook?

Conversion from IBM Notes to MS Outlook is one of the common on-going process these days among individuals and organizations across the globe. Sometimes, unexpected requirement occur when one need to use NSF file in Outlook due to professional need. However, it is not possible because Outlook only allows PST file to be opened and viewed. Thus, to read and access NSF file in Microsoft Outlook email client, one need to do NSF to PST conversion. Let us understand more about the conversion needs of Lotus Notes to Outlook.

Why Converting Lotus Notes to Microsoft Outlook?

The main reason behind conversion of NSF to PST is susceptibility of NSF file towards corruption. Lotus Notes NSF files corrupted due to many reasons such as file header corruption, virus attack, sudden system shutdown/power failure and more.

If a user tries to extract data from corrupted NSF file, then he/she needs to face some error messages listed below:

Not able to open Name and Address Book (-names.nsf), due to “File does not exist” error. One cannot use locations until issue has been fixed.

Current ID not specifying an “internet certificate for signing”.

Lotus Notes accessibility issue “database not opened yet”.

The process of data migration is day-by-day becoming common trend due to change in business requirements, data management issue and cost-effectiveness. Some basic reasons behind migration process mentioned below:

• Outlook delivers facility to access the application offline with offline folders.
• It includes better security features to manage and secure data than Lotus Notes.
• Outlook provide user-friendly GUI whereas IBM Notes is complex to operate.
• Outlook needs less maintenance cost as compared to Lotus Notes.
• Sharing of data in Outlook is easy than Lotus Notes.

Solution Discussed of How do I Convert Lotus Notes to Outlook

In order to utilize NSF data in Outlook, it is necessary to convert NSF to PST using manual method i.e. Import/Export or third party NSF Converter. Let us first perform the process manually and then discuss the steps of direct solution.

Method 1. Manual Method using Import/Export

The process involves two steps to implement the process of NSF file to PST conversion:

• Export NSF File from Lotus Notes
• Import Resultant File in Microsoft Outlook

Step 1. Export NSF File from Lotus Notes

1. Run Lotus Notes email client on the system.
2. Open desired NSF file to export.
3. Click File, hit Export option.
4. From Export Wizard window, choose location to save resultant file and select CSV (Comma Separated Value) in Save as type.
5. When dialogue box appears, set desired option and press OK.
6. Enter new name to save exported NSF Lotus Notes file and click Export.

By implementing the steps, file successfully moved to desired location. Now, perform the steps to import the same in Outlook.

Step 2. Import Resultant file in Microsoft Outlook

1. Run Outlook email app.
2. Click File and choose Import option.
3. From Import and Export Wizard, select Import from another program or file and press Next.
4. Choose Comma Separated Values (Windows) option.
5. Browse exported NSF file location and select Replace duplicates with items imported.
6. Choose folder to import data and hit Next to start import process.
7. After process finishes, click Finish button to exit.

The procedure helps to import exported NSF file in MS Outlook. You can easily access Lotus Notes data in MS Outlook.

The manual method is executable but it has some drawbacks and limitations. At first, the process is lengthy and can confuse non-professional users. Second, data loss risk is involved during the process. Third, it is time-consuming process, as it will allow to export single file at a time.

Manual process is not capable of migrating NSF file with corruption issues to Outlook. However, fixup-f, compact -i-c-d-k and updall –R commands to fix corrupt Lotus Notes NSF files or NSF error messages but they not able to repair damaged/inaccessible NSF file in all type of cases.

If manual procedure fails in delivering desired output, then in that situation direct NSF to PST Converter available that prove helpful to carry out the process of “how do I convert Lotus Notes to Outlook?”

Method 2. NSF to PST Converter

NSF to PST Converter is a reliable and cost-effective way to convert unlimited NSF files at one time into multiple desktop file types and cloud account. The application includes easy to understand environment with friendly operational clicks so that any technical and professional user can use the tool for direct conversion of NSF files to PST. NSF to PST Tool delivers number of benefits such as batch conversion, support corrupted NSF file, split PST, selective conversion and more. To know about software processing and associated features in detail, follow the steps mentioned below:

1. Download and access NSF to PST Converter on Windows OS.
2. Click Select File(s), load NSF file/folder by choosing Select Files/Select Folders button.
3. Software start scanning of NSF file and display related items on left pane.
4. Click on required folder to view data of desired file in Preview window before starting export process.
5. Now, go to Export button and choose PST from the saving file type list.
6. Set the given options i.e. PST Split, Filters, Destination Path, Create Separate PST File per NSF Folder etc.
7. Once done, press Export button to start the conversion. The process will completed with a message “Conversion Done Successfully”.

With the help of the above steps, a user can directly convert NSF to PST without facing file size limitation. Even, the email file properties and folder structure remain accurate during the process. To know more about the entire software processing, download free demo version of the software that allows to convert first 20 files per NSF folder free of cost. By using the freeware edition, one can come across of software functionality and features associated with the tool.