An Insight on Migrating Lotus Notes mailboxes data to MS Outlook

Lotus Notes is a popular email platform developed by American software company IBM (International Business Machines). Similar to Microsoft Outlook, Lotus Notes is comprised of emails, contacts, calendars, notes, tasks, web server and programming components. As MS Outlook stores its entire mailbox data in PST (Personal Storage Table) file format, IBM Lotus Notes uses NSF format to store its mailbox data.

Lotus Notes is notably used among organizations across the world but it’s not the email platform of mass. MS Outlook is certainly the most popular email program used by mass. It’s the most preferred email client among individuals and organizations across the globe because of its easy accessibility, easy data management features and user-friendly interface. So, there might be situations when you need to switch to MS Outlook from Lotus Notes due to change in your professional or personal needs. At times, you might also need to access your Lotus Notes mails in MS Outlook environment.

Convert NSF to PST file

There are two ways to convert NSF files to Outlook PST format – Manual Method and Third Party NSF to PST Converter. Let’s begin with manual conversion method first. You’re suggested to take backup of entire Lotus Notes mailbox data before starting the manual NSF to PST conversion process as it may damage structure of original files.

Manual NSF to PST conversion

Manual method goes through two stages to complete NSF to PST conversion process. First, export Lotus Notes NSF files and second, import the exported NSF files to MS Outlook. There are certain steps which you need to follow in both stages to complete the data migration process.

Steps to Export Lotus Notes NSF files

1. Launch Lotus Notes on your system
2. Open NSF database file
3. Click File > Export (Export Wizard is open)
4. Make appropriate selection of a location to save the file and Select Comma Separated Value or Structured Text in Save as type
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5. As the dialog box pops up, check the required option and Select OK
6. Type a new name for the exported file and select Export button

Now, as you have successfully exported Lotus Notes NSF files, you need to import the exported NSF files to MS Outlook by performing the below given steps.

Steps to import exported Lotus Notes data to MS Outlook

1. Launch MS Outlook on your system
2. Click File > Import (Import and Export Wizard is open)
3. Select Import from another program or file and click Next
4. Select Comma Separated values (Windows)
5. Browse for Exported files and tick Replace duplicates with item imported
6. Now, select a folder where you want to import the data and click Next
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7. As soon as you click Next, the process of importation begins. Once it gets over, click Finish

As you have successfully imported the exported Lotus Notes NSF files to MS Outlook, now you can easily access your entire Lotus Notes mailbox data in MS Outlook.

However, the manual NSF to PST conversion method is not recommended as it involves N number of steps to perform conversion. It consumes too much time and if perform a single step wrong there is always a possibility of losing data as well. Using manual method may harm the structure of original files. Manual method is a bit complicated too. Non-technical users may find it confusing. And when it’s about your crucial data, you shouldn’t be taking any chances, and it is always recommended taking help of a third party NSF to PST software. Using a third party software is the best way to perform hassle-free NSF to PST conversion.

There are several NSF to PST conversion software available on web. Many of them are absolutely free but you’re suggested to go with paid ones as they are more reliable and secure. Kernel for Lotus Notes to Outlook is one such tool which efficiently performs NSF to PST conversion in a very short span of time. It makes email migration from Lotus Notes to MS Outlook very easy. The software performs accurate conversion of all Lotus Notes mailbox items such as emails, attachments, contacts, drafts, calendar, notes, tasks, journals, etc. to Outlook PST format in a very short span of time.

The software has got some really smart features. The utility allows you to even restore original structure of files and folders after conversion. It provides option of saving converted data in multiple formats including TEXT, HTML and RTF. At the same time, the tool also supports all versions of Lotus Notes, Lotus Domino Server, MS Outlook and MS Exchange Server. Best aspect about the utility is its availability in free trial version and so one can easily evaluate its performance and efficiency in converting file from NSF to PST format.