Pro Tips for Switching Outlook Offline OST Files to Office 365 Cloud Platform

Summary: In the ever-evolving landscape of modern business, the need for seamless communication and collaboration has never been more crucial. Microsoft Office 365 has emerged as a powerful solution that caters to these demands, offering a suite of cloud-based tools to enhance productivity. Migrating from older systems, such as Outlook's Offline OST files, to Office 365 can appear daunting, but with the right strategy, it becomes a manageable task. This guide aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the migration process, ensuring a smooth solution for switching Outlook offline OST files to Office 365 while preserving your valuable data.

Introduction to OST File and Office 365 Cloud Platform

OST Files:

OST (Offline Storage Table) files are used by Microsoft Outlook to store mailbox data when working in offline mode. They facilitate continued access to emails, calendar events, contacts, and other mailbox items even when disconnected from the email server. However, with the shift towards cloud-based solutions like Office 365, OST files can pose limitations due to their offline nature.

Office 365(Microsoft 365):

Office 365 is cloud-based, enabling access to documents, applications, and communication tools from anywhere with an internet connection. This flexibility enhances remote work and enables real-time collaboration. Users benefit from the latest versions of Microsoft applications and services, ensuring access to new features, bug fixes, and security updates without manual installations. Office 365 seamlessly integrates with other Microsoft services and applications, as well as third-party tools, enhancing workflow efficiency.

Reasons for Migration Emails from OST to Office 365 Account

Office 365 offers numerous benefits that make the migration worthwhile:

• Cloud Accessibility: Office 365 provides remote access to your data from anywhere, fostering collaboration and allowing real-time updates.
• Enhanced Collaboration: Shared calendars, online meetings, and collaborative document editing streamline teamwork and boost productivity.
• Scalability: Office 365 scales seamlessly with your organization's growth, eliminating the need for constant infrastructure upgrades.
•  Security: Microsoft's robust security measures safeguard your data against threats, ensuring compliance with industry standards.

Manual Techniques to Move OST Data File to Office 365(Microsoft 365)

To manually migrate Outlook offline OST files to Office 365, you can follow the steps below –

Step 1. Make a New Outlook Profile

1. Exist MS Outlook application on your machine
2. Then go to Control Panel > Mail > Show Profile.
3. To create a fresh Outlook profile, click Add.

Now, follow the prompts to set up a new Outlook profile and connect it to your Microsoft Office 365 account.

Step 2. Connect OST Files to New Profile

1. Run the Outlook program with the new profile you just created.
2. Expose File and choose Account Settings.
3. Under the “Data Files” section, press the “Add” to load the OST file you want to convert.
4. Now, select the OST file from its location on your PC.
5. Press the OK button to connect the OST file to a new profile. 

Step 3. Export Offline OST File to PST

In these steps, you can convert Outlook offline data file from OST to PST format. Follow the steps:

1. In Microsoft Outlook, select File > Options > Advanced.
2. Select "Export" from the category list by scrolling down to it.
3. Choose "Export to a file" and click "Next."
4. Select "Outlook Data File (.pst)" by clicking "Next" first.
5. Click "Next" after selecting the OST file you linked to the new profile.
6. Browse for a location to save the PST file, pick it, and make any other necessary selections.
7. To export the OST items to a PST file, click "Finish".

Step 4. Import Resultant PST File to Microsoft 365

1. Log in to the Office 365 interface using your account by going there.
2. Select "Outlook" by clicking the "App launcher" button in the top right corner.
3. In Outlook, select File > Options > Advanced.
4. Click "Import" under the "Export" category after scrolling down.
5. Click "Next" after choosing "Import from another Software or file".
6. Click "Next" after selecting "Outlook Data Files (.pst)".
7. Click "Next" after selecting the PST file you exported earlier in the browse window.
8. You can select another desirable choice or the folder where you want to import the PST items.
9. To import the PST items to your Office 365 account, click "Finish".

Drawbacks of Manual Method for Data Migration

While manual methods of data migration might seem straightforward and cost-effective on the surface, they come with several drawbacks that can lead to inefficiencies, errors, and potential data loss. Let's explore some of the key drawbacks associated with manual data migration processes:

Manual data migrations involve more complex transformations and data manipulations. Manual methods might not be equipped to handle such complexities effectively.

The manual migration is a time-intensive process, especially when dealing with large volumes of data.

Data integrity can be compromised when data is manually manipulated during migration. Data may get corrupted, leading to issues with data accuracy and reliability.

Professional Tool for Directly Switching Outlook Offline OST Files to Office 365

The CubexSoft OST Converter is a feature-rich program that can convert your OST file to Office 365 and also supports more than 20 other file formats and email clients. As you use this application, you can use a number of advanced functions as well.

With only a few clicks, you can use this GUI-based tool to move data from an OST file into an Office 365 mailbox. The main feature of this program is that, depending on your requirements, you can execute Outlook import OST data to Office 365 Primary mailbox as well as the Archive mailbox. The OST to Office 365 Tool is a very user-friendly and dependable program that doesn't require any PowerShell commands.

The Concluding Words

Switching Outlook Offline OST files to Office 365 is a strategic move that unlocks new levels of productivity, collaboration, and data accessibility. A carefully planned and executed migration can minimize disruptions, maximize data integrity, and empower your organization to harness the full potential of cloud-based solutions. By following the step-by-step guide outlined in this article and considering the challenges and considerations, you can ensure a successful and seamless transition to Office 365. Your organization will be poised for enhanced efficiency, improved communication, and a competitive edge in today's dynamic business landscape.