How to Migrate and Import PST to Office 365?

All the local copies of outlook data files are stored in PST file format so that they can be accessed without the use of the internet. We need to perform PST to Office 365 migration so that we get old emails as well. By the end of this article, you will be able to know, How to Migrate and Import PST to Office 365?

Reason to Move from PST to Office 365

1. Office 365 is a Cloud-based service because of which it is accessible from anywhere.
2. Migration from any storage tool to Office 365 is very easy.
3. Good collaboration measures are also provided by Office 365 which means you can do editing of files, communicating with the staff, and work remotely with different clients using office 365.
4. Office 365 also prevents your data from loss by regularly backing up data and also performs data protection so that your data remains safe.
5. Office 365 is a modern and updated platform that increases your work efficiency.

How to Import PST to Office 365?

There are 2 ways in which you can Import PST to Office 365:

1. Manual Method
2. Professional Method

Let us ponder upon both of them one by one-

1.Manual Method

By using this method, we will be able to migrate PST to Office 365 free of charge as this is based upon the internal features of the software.

Their manual method to import PST to Office 365 can be done by 2 procedures.

1. Migrate PST to Office365 using Outlook
2. Run your Outlook application.

1. Now, select the Open & Export option under file menu.

1. Here, select Import/Export, which opens a new popup window.

1. Click on Import from another program or file which is the fifth option and then click on Next at the bottom of the page.

1. Click on option Outlook Data File(.PST).
2. Select the files that you desire to Import from PST to Office 365.
3. In the next pop-up screen, you will be able to select files and browse the location on which you want to save the files.
4. Click on the Finish option to begin importing the files.

This method is suggested if you have PST files that are smaller in size. For the huge files, you should choose Azure Azcopy.

1. Import PST to Office 365 using Azure AzCopy

2. Process Preparation

This step takes up to 24 hours or more depending upon the working status of the file. In this step, we need to assign the role Mailbox Import and Export to Global admins under the Exchange Online.

Follow the below-mentioned steps to operate.

• • • • 1. Run your Exchange Admin Center and from the left side select Permission.
        2. Now select Organization Management Role.
        3. A new popup appears under this click on the (+) sign to add multiple roles.
        4. Now Select the option as mailbox Import Export and click on the Save option.

1. New Import Job

2. Create a new import job by following the path https://protection.office.com/ and select Information governance and under this select Import
3. Pick Import PST files.
4. Click on New Import Job.

1. Select the option here as If you want to upload or ship your data. Here we will find the SAS URL (We will need it in later steps). Now Download and install Azure AzCopy Tool and copy your SAS URL.

SAS URL helps you to access your PST files so I suggest you save the SAS URL privately so that no unauthorized access is made.

1. File Uploading using Azure AzCopy tool.

For the uploading of files, we follow the command—-

1. AzCopy copy”/path/to/pstfiles” <SAS URL> –recursive=true.
2. If your PST files are saved in some subfolders then choose the Recursive=true switch.
3. You have to wait till the PST files get Uploaded.

1. PST file mapping.

For the mapping of the PST files, you can use the picture shown below as a template for your understanding.

Each of the column fields of the image is explained below for your reference: –

1. For workload, write the exchange as the option.
2. In the file path if the PST files are in the root folder, then leave it empty otherwise provide the alternative path for the file.
3. Under name provide the name for the PST files.
4. In the mailbox, the option provides the mailbox you want to import.
5. IsArchive option helps you to import the PST files in the user’s Import menu Select true or false according to the file status.
6. Target Root folder option saves the converted PST file in the Imported folder in the mailbox if we set it empty. Merging of data with other folders can be done also, by using a/.
7. Ignore all the other fields.
8. Finally Import PST to Office 365.
   • • • 1. After the mapping, importing can be performed on PST to Office 365. Open the https://protection.office.com/ and click on Import Job.
         2. Choose the option “I’m done uploading my files” and also select “I have access to the mapping file”.

• • • • 1. Pick Next and choose the. CSV file.

• • • • 1. Choose the Validate option to validate the CSV file.
        2. Wait for some time and then click on Save when the validation is complete.

Limitations of Manual Method

1. It is a very lengthy process to perform. First PST to Outlook and then Azure method is there which is also very tricky to deal with.
2. The chances of data loss are very high.
3. Large PST files cannot be exported.
4. Migration of PST to Office 365 stops if all the necessary steps are not following.
5. It is a very time taking process.

2.Professional Method

For every confusion, there is a way. In the same manner for all the overheads associated with the Manual Method can be overcome by using the PST to Office 365 tool that is specially programmed by DRS keeping in mind all the issues. This tool can easily import and migrate PST to Office 365 mailbox, In-Place Archive, and Public Folder. Emails, Contacts, Tasks, Calendars can be imported easily. You have the privilege to provide a custom folder name also.

It also provides a duplicate email feature where duplicate data can remove while importing PST to Office 365. Its demo version is available on the website for free of cost that helps you to understand the features of the software. Its easy-to-use GUI makes it very unique from all the competitors.

Conclusion

In this article, I had told you about the advantage that Office 365 is providing over PST. Later on, I had explained to you about the Manual and Professional method to Import PST to Office 365. In the final writeup, I would suggest you go with the Automated tool instead of the manual one. It will save your data and time and also helps you to migrate PST to Office 365 with ease.