There can be various reasons for moving Lotus Notes (now IBM Notes) emails to Outlook, let’s look at a few. You need to access IBM Notes mails from another system with Outlook installed. This can happen, for example, in case you have quit your job and want to access Lotus Notes NSF messages on your computer having Outlook setup. Another reason behind the transition could be the high maintenance cost of Lotus Notes. Since it serves as the platform for several thousands of applications, using Lotus Notes merely for emails is not a smart choice. However, Outlook does not require large investment in managing emails.
Methods to Import Lotus Notes Emails in Outlook
You can import Lotus Notes emails in Outlook manually or use a specialized tool for quick and precise transition of Notes emails.
Method 1 – Import Lotus Notes Messages in Outlook Manually
This method comprises two stages: NOTE: It is strongly recommended that you should back up Notes database (NSF) file to avoid data loss.
Stage 1: Export Lotus Notes emails in CSV formatFollow these steps to export emails from Lotus Notes NSF file in CSV format:
Step 1: Launch Lotus Notes
Step 2:Click the File tab, and then click Export
Step 3: In the Export window, browse the location where you wish to save your file
Step 4: Expand the drop-down menu of Save as type and select Comma Separated Value
Step 5: Assign a name to the file you want to export, then click Export
Step 6: In the CSV Export window, select the desired options and click OK.
Step 7: Wait for the import process to complete, and then click Finish.
Stage 2: Import Exported Data (Emails) in Outlook
In this stage, import emails in Outlook you’ve exported earlier by following these steps:
Step 1: In Outlook, click the File tab
Step 2: Click Open & Export and select Import/Export
Step 3:In the Import and Export Wizard window, select ‘Import from another program or file’ option and click Next.
Step 4: In the Import a File window, select the Comma Separated Values option, then click Next.
Step 5: Click Browse to select the exported CSV file, then under Options choose ‘Replace duplicates with item imported’ option. Click Next.
Step 6: Select the destination folder in which want to import the emails, and hit Next.
Step 7: Wait for the import process to complete, and then click Finish.
Your NSF file emails will be imported in Outlook. But, keep in mind, there are a few limitations of manually performing the import process, as follows:
- It can be lengthy and time-consuming.
- Incorrect implementation of the manual method to import emails in Outlook can result in data loss.
Method 2 – Use Stellar Converter for NSF
You can quickly and efficiently import IBM Notes mails in Outlook by using Stellar Converter for NSF software. The software helps convert NSF file to PST file format. Once the conversion process is complete, you can import the resultant PST file in Outlook. The software’s intuitive interface makes it easy to convert NSF file to PST and prevents you from inadvertently losing data during the conversion process.
Key Features:
- Exports all mailbox items including emails, attachments, contacts, journals, notes, etc.
- Converts NSF file in multiple formats – MSG, EML, RTF, HTML and PDF
- Provides a free preview of converted mail items
- Demo version of the software allows to convert and save first 10 items per folder
Follow these steps to use the software to convert Lotus Notes emails and save them in PST:
Step 1: Download, install and launch Stellar Converter for NSF
Step 2: In the Select NSF File window, Browse or Find the NSF file from which you want to export emails
Step 3: Click Convert
Step 4: To import emails, select Inbox from the list of converted mailbox items in the preview window
Step 5: Click the Save Converted File option from the Home menu
Step 6: In the Save As window, under Save Options, click PST and then hit Next.
Step 7: In the Choose Destination dialog box, click Browse to select destination path to save the converted file at a specific location.
Step 8: Click OK
Your NSF file will be converted in PST format. Import the resultant PST file in Outlook
Conclusion
You may require importing Lotus Notes mails in Outlook due to factors such as mailbox migration, high maintenance cost of Lotus Notes Server, and difficult to comprehend interface etc. This post outlined two methods, by using which you can import email messages from Lotus Notes NSF files in Outlook. You can manually import emails in Outlook by exporting NSF files in CSV format and importing the exported data in Outlook. However, the manual method have limitations which can be overcome with Stellar Converter for NSF software. The software facilitates quick and precise conversion of NSF file to PST file, which can be directly imported in Outlook.
