How do I convert a CSV list of Apple Contacts into a VCF that works with older versions of Outlook (2013/2016)?

[harperthomas]

Tried various methods to convert CSV contacts list of Apple Contacts to VCF, but none of them perfectly worked for me... provides some reliable as well as secure ways to do it.

 

[johndavis379]

If you have a CSV file of Apple Contacts and want to use it in older versions of Outlook like 2013 or 2016, you'll need to convert CSV to VCF first. Outlook 2013/2016 only accepts vCard (.vcf), the standard for contact files; it does not permit importing Apple-style CSV files straight.

Here’s a simple way to handle the CSV to VCF conversion:

• Open it in Excel or any spreadsheet tool and make sure each contact detail is in the right column: First Name, Last Name, Email, Phone, etc.
• The important first step is converting the CSV file into vCard. Particularly for many contacts, Windows does not have a basic built-in function for switching CSV files into VCF format. You will thus require a tool meant to rapidly and accurately convert CSV to vCard.
• After the conversion, open Outlook. Go to File > Open & Export > Import/Export, choose Import a vCard file (.vcf), and follow the steps to add your contacts.

If this method does not work for you, then you can go for an automated solution and can make your work easy. This approach might be considerably simpler with Softaken CSV to vCard converter. It helps you generate a clean VCF file that performs exactly with Outlook 2013 or 2016, upload your CSV, properly map the fields, and Using a CSV to VCF converter like this can save you time and prevent formatting problems whether your deal with bulk contacts or want a seamless transfer.

 

[julianhawkins]

If you have a list of Apple Contacts saved in a CSV file and you're trying to use them in an older version of Outlook like 2013 or 2016, you might run into trouble. These earlier Outlook versions don't always operate well with Apple's CSV files, and manual conversion of them into VCF (vCard) format can be complicated and lengthy. A lot of users find problems with formatting or missing contact information after conversion. To make this easier, you can try using a tool like the DataVare CSV to VCF Converter Software. It enables you to effortlessly convert CSV contacts into VCF such that they open exactly in previous Outlook versions. This ideal situation comes with a free trial edition so you can evaluate it before making purchase.

 

[lilyrobinson]

Outlook versions from 2013 and 2016 and before are quite particular about the vCard format they allow. The way Apple Contacts are exported as a CSV file doesn't match what Outlook wants in a VCF file. This makes it impossible to import or causes data to be lost during the conversion. It's best to use a good converter that knows how Outlook wants its files formatted than to try to do it manually or with free applications that don't work. One tool that handles this perfectly is the GainTools CSV to VCF Converter. It takes your Apple CSV list and makes VCF files that operate perfectly with Outlook 2013 and 2016 without losing any contact information or causing any problems with compatibility. The conversion works well and doesn't have typical problems with damaged contact entries. This makes it more simpler and quicker to manage Apple Contacts in previous versions of Outlook.