Summary: OLM data file is utilized by Outlook for Mac for storing mail items like emails, contacts, attachments, notes, tasks, journals, etc. In this post, we will be explaining about OLM file extension with its location, features, recommended size and steps for importing or exporting OLM file data to another Outlook profile on Windows & Mac.
Microsoft Outlook works with OST, PST and OLM data files for storing mailbox data items. However, OLM data file is not created by default. Mac Outlook creates OLK file for saving copy of mailbox items from Exchange or email waitperson. But users have the facility to export items from Outlook for Mac to OLM file.
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Table of Contents
Overview of OLM Data file
OLM is data file supported by Mac Outlook. This format is used to store mailbox data like emails, contacts, notes, calendars, tasks, journals, etc. This OLM file can be opened by any edition of Windows Outlook. OLM file format was first introduced with Mac Outlook 2011 to store data. After this, it is supported by all Mac Outlook versions i.e. 2019, 2016, and 2011. A single OLM file stores all Outlook folders.
However, OLM file is not generated by default in Mac Outlook. To generate OLM file, users can go for export options offered by Mac Outlook.
Where OLM Files are stored?
Most of the times, users wanted to know location of OLM file on their local system. But there is no confusion in it that OLM file is not generated by default by Mac Outlook so it does not have any default location. Users can export OLM file from Mac Outlook at any desired location in their local machine. This can be any location like internal storage, external media, or network storage.
OLM File Size
There is no fixed size limit specified for OLM files. But it is always advised to maintain the folder size under 2 GB limit in Mac Outlook. This helps users to work without problems like corruption and data loss. Also, this ensures optimal performance.
But the problem is users can’t check or find folder size in Mac Outlook until email folder is dragged and dropped to desktop or any other location.
Benefits of OLM file
With OLM file, users can transfer emails from one Mac Outlook profile to another. This helps users to keep their old emails when upgrade Mac machine or Outlook edition.
Users can backup Mac Outlook data items by exporting into OLM files and later in this file can be imported to any profile on Mac Outlook.
Drawbacks of OLM file
The first drawback of OLM file is it is restricted to MacOS or Mac Outlook. You can’t import Mac Outlook OLM file to Outlook Windows. However, this can be done by conversion into PST file format using OLM to PST Converter professional software. This tool allows migration of OLM files from Outlook for Mac to Outlook for Windows.
Next drawback is when you export OLM file from Mac Outlook, this will export all items from all profiles in single OLM file. You don’t have control for exporting specific email folders or items.
Similarly, you won’t be able to select accounts while importing OLM file to another Mac Outlook profile.
Third is the imported OLM file won’t be synced with the mailbox on the server.
How OLM file is created in Mac Outlook 2019, 2016, and 2011?
To create or export OLM file, the steps in different Mac Outlook versions are slightly different form each other.
Steps in Mac Outlook 2019 & 2016
- Open Mac Outlook 2019 or 2016 version on your Mac machine
- Then, navigate to Tools tab and pick Export button
- After this, you will get window of Export to archive file (.olm). Here, pick items to export and hit Continue button.
- Now, pick destination location to save the file. Hit Save button.
- The total time taken to export the data depends on amount of data. Once the process is finished, hit Finish button.
- After following these steps, you can export OLM data file from Outlook for Mac 2019 or 2016.
Steps in Mac Outlook 2011
- Open Mac Outlook 2011 on your system. Go to File tab and hit Export button.
- In Export wizard, select data items to export in OLM file. After the selection, hit Right arrow to continue.
- You can check/uncheck option ‘do not delete items’ and then click on Right arrow
- In Save dialogue box, mention name & location for the exported OLM file. Then, click on Save Button.
- Now, you can see live status report of the process
- After completion, click on Done
How one can import OLM files to Outlook for Mac and Windows?
One can simply import OLM file in another profile of Mac Outlook with Import wizard. For this, open Mac Outlook 2011, go to File and then on Import. In Mac Outlook 2016 & 2019, go to Tools and then on Import option.
But you can’t import OLM file directly into Windows Outlook. This is because PST format is supported in Windows Outlook. So, you must convert the data into PST format by using OLM to PST Converter. Once the conversion process is over, import the converted PST file into Windows Outlook via Import/Export wizard.
The software offers you quick view of every data item of OLM file. From there, users can select folders or items to convert into PST file format. Users can easily remove unwanted items to export into PST file.
Also, this program gives you many conversion formats like EML, MSG, MBOX, & EMLX. By this, users can open OLM file in other email clients. With free copy of the program, users can check out features & performance of the tool before getting license version.
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Conclusion
We hope that all your questions regarding OLM data file haven been cleared after going through this post. But if you still have queries related to OLM or its conversion process, freely contact our support team.