Desktop-based Outlook environment is history. The present and future are “Cloud.” That’s why the need to import PST to O365 mailboxes has become increasingly common. But this transition is not as smooth. It involves challenges. The biggest challenge is large PST files. Network interruptions may also affect the process. Permission-related issues can create access problems too. These issues can make PST migration difficult for users. There are certain manual methods to perform such PST data migration task. We will discuss all those functionalities in our guide titled “How to Import PST files to Office 365 mailboxes?” But these ways are not always successful. They have limitations. These manual functionalities are extremely slow. They also involve a risk of data loss. The best approach is to utilize any professional PST migration tool. This approach supports bulk migration. It ensures smooth and quick transfer of oversized PST files. Professional Outlook Migrator also preserves folder structure and hierarchies.
Why Import PST Files to Office 365?
Migrating from old Outlook to Office 365 is quite beneficial. Check the below guide:
- This cloud-based platform offers centralized storage
- Mailbox data is accessible to all users from any part of the globe
- PST import enhances collaboration as the data files are accessible within the same platform
- The platform is equipped with advanced security features to protect imported data
- Advanced compliance features
- Cloud storage reduces dependency on the local hardware
- Migration simplifies backup and recovery
Major Challenges During PST Migration:
- A large or oversized PST file is sure to trouble the user
- The slow upload speed may create a hurdle
- Another major challenge is duplicate mailbox items
- Corrupted PST files will also create major challenges in the process
- Permission-related issues will also create challenges
Prerequisites Before Migration:
Before initiating the PST migration process, the user must possess the following:
- An active Microsoft 365 account
- Required admin rights
- Stable internet connection
- Properly accessible PST files
- Sufficient Office 365 storage space
How to Import PST files to Office 365 mailboxes?
It is a challenging task. In this section, we will explore a method to migrate the mailbox items. Check the below guide:
Method 1: Using AzureAZCopy Tool: It is a prescribed method. However, the user needs to make sure that he is meeting the following conditions:
- The role of Mailbox Import Export in O365.
- The role of the Mail Recipients.
- PST files should not be larger than 20 GB (Oversized PST files may interrupt the smooth import process).
- The user needs to download the AzureAZCopy tool.
The step-by-step process is listed below:
Step 1: The stage 1 involves “Role Assigning.” Perform the below actions.
- Access Office 365.
- Navigate to the Exchange Admin Center.
- After this click Roles > Admin Roles.
- Checkout for Organization Management and select it.
- An Organization Management screen will pop up.
- Choose the Permission tab.
- Then go to Mailbox import export. Choose it. Then press Save.
- Click Add under the Assigned tab.
- At this stage, you need to assign the role for importing the Outlook PST file. Select someone for this role.
- Navigate to the Search tab. Find the user. Choose the user. Then click Add.
Step 2: The second stage involves creating PST Import Job in Microsoft 365.
Follow the below steps:
- Go to the Microsoft 365 admin center tab (in the left panel).
- The above action will take you back to the admin center.
- Go to the Microsoft 365 admin center.
- Select Show all in the left panel.
- Under Admin centers, select Compliance.
- Access compliance settings to manage policies and configurations.
- A window will pop up.
- Press Data lifecycle management in the left panel.
- After this choose Microsoft 365.
- Navigate to the Data lifecycle management window.
- Then select the Import tab.
- Add a new import job from there.
- Now, click on + New import job.
- Enter the job name and click Next.
- Browse the Select Import Job Type window.
- Select the Upload your data option.
- Then click Next.
- Click Show network upload SAS URL.
- After this press Copy to clipboard. (This action will copy the SAS URL.)
- Open Notepad on your system.
- Paste the SAS URL into the file and save it.
- Click Download Azure AzCopy to get the tool.
- The Azure AzCopy tool is available for Windows (It is also available for Linux and macOS).
- Clicking download opens the Download AzCopy window.
- The window displays various versions of the software.
- Select the version compatible with your system.
- Download the selected version to proceed.
(Note: Keep this window open. The user is required to be patient. S(he) needs to wait until each PST file is migrated to Azure Storage.)
Step 3: The third stage involves PST Files Uploading to the Office 365 Azure Storage. The user needs to perform the below actions:
- So, the user has downloaded the Azure AzCopy tool. The next step is to extract the tool from the downloaded zip file.
- Browse the extracted folder.
- Copy the folder path, and paste it in a Notepad file.
- Then, run the following command in order to upload the PST files to Azure Storage:
Azcopy copy “Folder/FilePathContainingPST” “SAS URL” –recursive=true
- Replace Folder/FilePathContainingPST with the path of your PST file.
- Replace SAS URL field. Paste the one you copied earlier.
(Note 1: If the user needs to upload multiple PST files, add the PST file folder path.
Note 2: In case, the PST files are saved in a sub-folder, then use –recursive=true at the end of the command.)
The user needs to show patience at this juncture. Await the upload of the PST files. The file size determines the uploading. The uploading depends on the file size. Besides the size, network speed as well as the bandwidth will also impact the upload.
Step 4: Verification of Uploaded PST Files: At this stage, the user needs to verify the success of the PST upload. There is a tool available to ascertain the upload success. The name of the tool is Azure Storage Explorer. Follow the below steps:
- Download Azure Storage Explorer.
- Launch the installer.
- Click Install for me only.
- Complete the installation.
- Open the Azure Storage Explorer.
- Select the Blob container option.
- Choose Shared access signature URL (SAS).
- Copy the SAS URL you had saved earlier.
- Paste the SAS URL into the Blob container SAS URL field.
- Click Next > Connect.
- Go to File Shares.
- Locate the PST folder.
- Open the PST folder.
- Check if the PST files are present.
Step 5: PST Files Mapping: The next stage involves mapping of Outlook data files (.pst). It is a very critical stage. At this point, the user evaluates whether all mailboxes are correctly migrated to O365. The Microsoft official website offers a copy of the PST Import Mapping file for your reference.
Perform the below actions:
- Fill the FilePath (folder name) in the required field.
- Write the Name, Mailbox, and TargetRootFolder details.
- The user can leave the remaining fields empty.
- Finally, save the file in .CSV format.
Step 6: Initiate PST Import:
- Navigate to the Office 365 Import data wizard.
- Check the “I’m done …. Files” and the “I have …. mapping file” checkboxes and press Next.
- A window will pop up asking for the .csv file with the mapping file.
- Press +Select mapping file.
- Then click Validate.
Note: Download the logs and investigate the problem if validation is unsuccessful.
- Click Next to examine the PST import task after it has been verified.
- After verifying the details, press Submit and then click Done.
- Once it is done, it will create an import job.
- Go to the Import tab in the Data lifecycle management window.
- Discover the Progress column.
- Check the status of the import job.
- With the process completion, the status will change to Import completed.
- Now, choose the item.
- After this press Import to Office 365.
- The wizard will ask to filter the data or not.
- Click Next after selecting an appropriate choice.
- Now, review the PST file transfer.
- Click on Submit if satisfied
- Browse the Data lifecycle management window.
- View the status of the import job.
- The status will show as Import in progress.
- Wait for some time before checking again.
- Refresh the page to update the status.
- The Importpst status will change to Completed.
When the import process is finished, Microsoft will notify the user via an email message. Additionally, the user can also see a newly created folder in the mailbox that contains the imported PST data.
Method 2: Utilizing a PST Migration Tool (Recommended): This method is recommended by experts. Let’s understand why. Using AzureAZCopy Tool to import PST to O365 is a challenging task. This complex task requires expertise. Also, it is prone to errors. It may not work on large data files. Additionally, it lacks advanced automation features. On the contrary, utilizing a PST migration tool offers multiple benefits. It makes the task from complex to extremely easy. When the user needs to import PST to O365, the first priority is the data safety. The Outlook Migrator tool is extremely smart. This software is quite simple. It works independently. It doesn’t require Outlook or PowerShell commands. Using tools like Stellar Migrator for Outlook, a user can import the targeted PST files in just few clicks. The tool can efficiently handle large data files. Also, it assures folder hierarchy.
Conclusion:
Employing AzureAZCopy Tool to import PST mailboxes is extremely complex process. Also, it is a time taking process. It contains multiple manual steps as well. Another simple and efficient way is to utilize any professional PST migration tool. This tool is easy to use. Outlook Migrator is also equipped with multiple advanced features. It works independently of Outlook installation. It maintains folder hierarchy. One of such tools is Stellar Migrator for Outlook.
