Migrate from IBM Notes to MS Outlook PST − Detailed Guide

IBM Notes and MS Outlook provide smart platforms for email communication within & outside an organization. IBM Notes or Lotus Notes or HCL Notes use NSF file format and work with synchronization with Domino Server. MS Outlook employs PST file format and works in synchronization with Exchange Server. However, ease of use and a few advanced features of Outlook make it more familiar among users than Lotus Notes. If a user is working in the IBM Notes environment and needs to avail the features of Outlook, he/she wants to migrate to Outlook platform. By this, users can access all Lotus Notes data in Outlook. This is not an easy process as both email clients use different file formats which are not supported by each other. For this, users need to convert Lotus Notes file to Outlook PST file format.

There are multiple reasons for users to prefer MS Outlook to Lotus Notes. Some important reasons for the conversion of NSF file to Outlook PST file are discussed below:

• When need to migrate from HCL Notes to MS Outlook
• When you have Outlook installed on a different system, you need to access Lotus Notes in it.
• You need to convert Lotus Notes files to PST format to save them as a backup.
• When you are not sure that Lotus Notes is available on a different system. In case, you need some important Lotus Notes files, you can convert them to PST files as Outlook is common in Windows systems.

There can be also other reasons to convert NSF data into Outlook PST files. Since Outlook works in collaboration with MS Exchange, there are many advantages while working with Exchange Server. Apart from this, there are many other advantages you can get with MS Exchange Server.

Advantages provided by MS Exchange (Outlook)

Enhanced security: Outlook is well-known for its highly secure features.

Platform integrity: Outlook and MS Exchange are the best examples of client-server integrated systems. No other email client works so smoothly with MS Exchange Also, it becomes too easy for users to switch to any version of Outlook like 2003 is very easy.

Smart Interface: The interface of both Outlook and Outlook Web Access (OWA) is the same. OWA is the email service of the Exchange Server. It permits users to access the data anywhere and anytime.

In addition to this, Outlook offers you many reasons to switch from IBM Notes to Outlook. This migration needs users to convert NSF files to PST file format. This is not a simple task as it requires the conversion of essential data. You should avoid any manual solution to convert NSF mailbox to Outlook PST as there is a high risk of data loss and file corruption.

So, to avoid complexities while migrating from IBM Notes to MS Outlook, we recommend using a professional solution.

Free Method to Convert NSF emails to Outlook PST file

The free conversion method has two steps involved in it. It is recommended to take a backup of the original Notes NSF file before using the manual method as it may damage the file during the conversion process.

Step 1. Export NSF file items to a CSV file

To export the NSF file from Lotus Notes to a CSV file, here are the steps:

1. Start by opening the IBM Notes application.
2. Hit the File menu, click on Open and then choose the Lotus Notes application.
3. In the opened window, browse the required NSF file & click on Open. This will show the picked NSF file.
4. Go to the File menu and hit the Export button.
5. On the Export window, provide the file name, location, and saving type.
6. Choose Comma Separated Value format for the file.
7. CSV Export box will open, pick the required option from How much to export, export character set, and details. Hit the OK button.
8. The data is exported into a CSV file at the defined location.

Step 2. Import CSV file (Lotus Notes exported data) into MS Outlook

Now, import this CSV file data into Microsoft Outlook.

1. In MS Outlook, firstly tap on the File menu. Then, click on Open & Export and then hit Import/Export button.
2. In Import & Export window, choose Import from another file or program from the options. Hit the Next button.
3. Pick the option of Comma Separated Values and press the Next button.
4. Use the Browse button and set the destination for the CSV file using the Export option of Lotus Notes. Pick desired option as per your need.
5. Pick the Outlook folder you want to save the exported data and press the Next button.
6. Mark the checkbox in Import a file dialogue box and hit the Finish button.
7. The data from the CSV file is imported to MS Outlook.

Problems faced with Manual Lotus Notes to Outlook Migration

The manual approach is fully free of cost and even helpful in some cases but it has many limitations:

• Complex in nature and consume a lot of time.
• High possibility of manual error.
• If the method is not implemented correctly, there can be corruption in the NSF file.
• Desired data items export is not possible
• It converts a single NSF file at a time which makes the process lengthy when users have lots of NSF files to convert into PST file format.

A Professional way to Migrate NSF to Outlook PST format

Mailsgen NSF Converter is a smart and harmless tool that can convert multiple Lotus Notes NSF files in a single attempt to PST file format. This third-party solution permits the safe and sound conversion of NSF mailbox data into PST files including all email messages, notes, contacts, calendars, tasks, journals, etc.

This software has a lot of advantages over the manual solution to convert Lotus Notes files to PST files.

• The software permits exporting multiple NSF files in multiple PST files.
• No need for installing MS Outlook in the system. Only Lotus Notes installation is required for the conversion.
• The tool has no restrictions for NSF file size. You can add NSF files of all sizes to convert safely into PST file format.
  Along with complete data items, NSF file data is migrated into PST file format.
• This program has smooth functioning on all Windows versions. Also, it well supports all editions of MS Outlook & IBM Notes.
• The free edition of the same program can convert the first 25 items per folder from source NSF file to MS Outlook PST file.
• There will be no alteration to formatting, folder hierarchy, and email properties throughout the conversion task.
• Speedy and accurate migration is performed by this program with no possibility of data loss.

Easy steps to migrate NSF mailbox data to Outlook PST using a professional tool:

• Launch and start the free version of the software.
• Hit the Add button and browse one or more NSF files.
• Mention a destination path to save the converted PST file.
• Press the Convert Now button to export all NSF mailbox items into PST file format.

Now, you can view the output PST file in the MS Outlook application.

Conclusion

Migrating IBM Notes data into Outlook PST is a challenge for users. Though a lot of ways are present on the internet. Users can’t select them randomly because all are not safe. Thus, to help users in performing Lotus Notes data file to Outlook PST migration, this post has offered a manual technique and a professional program. Manually, you may face some limitations so we highly recommend opting for the professional solution which instantly provides you desired results with the utmost safety.