Import PST to Office 365: Network Upload Method & Free tool

Updated On - October 22, 2024 by Henry Bray | Reading Time: 5 minutes

Office 365 is a cloud-based platform that offers a wide range of productivity and collaboration tools to organizations of all sizes. One of the key benefits of using Office 365 is that it allows you to access your data from anywhere and from any device with an internet connection. However, if you are migrating from an on-premises environment to Office 365, one of the biggest challenges is how to move your data, including emails, contacts, and calendars. In this blog post, we will discuss the network upload method to import PST to Office 365.

What is PST?

A PST file is a personal storage table file used by Microsoft Outlook to store email messages, contacts, calendar entries, and other data. When you migrate from an on-premises environment to Office 365, you may need to import PST files into Office 365.

Why import PST to Office 365?

Importing PST to Office 365 has several advantages.

• Firstly, it allows you to access your old data in Office 365, making it easier to collaborate and work on the go.
• Secondly, it enables you to consolidate all your data into one centralized location, making it easier to manage and secure.
• Lastly, it allows you to take advantage of the advanced features of Office 365, such as intelligent search and compliance tools.

Network Upload Method to Import PST to Office 365

The network upload method is a simple and efficient way to import PST files to Office 365. It involves using Azure AzCopy to upload your PST files to Azure storage, and then using the Office 365 Import service to import the PST files into Office 365.

Step 1: Prepare the PST Files

Before you can import PST files to Office 365, you need to prepare them. Firstly, you need to ensure that the PST files are compatible with Office 365. To do this, you can use the Microsoft PST Capture tool, which is available for free.

The PST Capture tool scans your PST files and checks for compatibility issues. If any issues are found, the tool provides recommendations on how to resolve them.

Once you have verified that your PST files are compatible with Office 365, you need to create a CSV file that lists the PST files you want to upload. The CSV file should contain the following columns:

• FilePath: the path to the PST file
• Name: a friendly name for the PST file
• Mailbox: the email address of the user whose mailbox the PST file will be imported into
• IsArchive: whether the PST file contains archived data (True or False)

Save the CSV file to a location that can be accessed from the computer you will use to upload the PST files.

Step 2: Upload PST Files to Azure Storage

The next step is to upload your PST files to Azure storage using Azure AzCopy. Azure AzCopy is a command-line tool that allows you to copy files to and from Azure storage. To upload your PST files, follow these steps:

• Download and install Azure AzCopy from the Microsoft website.
• Open the command prompt and navigate to the location where AzCopy is installed.
• Use the following command to upload your PST files:

AzCopy /Source:<LocalFolderPath> /Dest:<StorageAccountURL> /DestKey:<StorageAccountKey> /S

Replace <LocalFolderPath> with the path to the folder containing your PST files, and <StorageAccountURL> and <StorageAccountKey> with the URL and access key of your Azure storage account.

• Once the upload is complete, verify that the PST files are present in the Azure storage account.

Step 3: Create an Import Job in Office 365

The final step is to create an import job in Office 365 to import the PST files into user mailboxes.

• Log in to the Office 365 Admin Center.
• Navigate to the Exchange Admin Center.
• Click on “import” in the left-hand navigation pane.
• Click on the “+” icon to create a new import job.
• Select the “Upload your data” option and click Next.
• Choose the users whose mailboxes you want to import the PST files into.
• Select the option “Upload your PST files to Azure Storage using a SAS URL”.
• Enter the SAS URL of the Azure storage account where the PST files are located.
• Enter the name of the CSV file that you created in Step 1.
• Choose the import settings, such as whether to import the data as primary or archive data, and click Next.
• Review the import job settings and click Finish to start the import.

Once the import job has started, Office 365 will begin importing the PST files into the user mailboxes. The time it takes to complete the import will depend on the size of the PST files and the number of users involved. You can monitor the progress of the import job in the Office 365 Admin Center.

Drawbacks and Loopholes of Network Upload Method

While the network upload method is a convenient way to import PST files to Office 365, there are some drawbacks and loopholes to consider.

• Firstly, the process can be time-consuming, especially if you have a large number of PST files or large PST files to upload.
• Secondly, the process requires some technical expertise to execute, which may not be available in all organizations.
• Thirdly, the network upload method may not be suitable for organizations with strict compliance requirements since the PST files are stored in Azure storage, which may not meet some compliance standards.

Automated and Easy way to Import PST to Office 365

A third-party tool can help overcome the limitations of the network upload method. One such tool is Regain Import PST to Office 365, which allows you to import PST files to Office 365 without having to upload them to Azure storage.

Free Download100% Secure Buy NowPrice: $39

The tool provides an easy-to-use interface that simplifies the migration process, making it accessible to non-technical users. Also, it provides additional features such as filtering and mapping options, which can help streamline the migration process.

Features of Regain PST to Office 365 Import tool

Regain tool to Import PST to Office 365 is designed to help organizations migrate their PST files to Office 365 quickly and easily. The tool has several features that make it an attractive option for organizations looking to streamline their migration process.

• No Azure storage required: Unlike the network upload method, Regain Import PST to Office 365 tool does not require you to upload your PST files to Azure storage before importing them to Office 365. This means that you can import your PST files directly from your local computer, saving time and reducing complexity.
• User-friendly interface: The tool has a user-friendly interface that simplifies the migration process, making it accessible to non-technical users. The interface provides step-by-step instructions that guide you through the migration process, making it easy to use.
• Bulk migration: The tool allows you to migrate multiple PST files at once, saving time and reducing manual effort. You can select multiple PST files and migrate them to multiple mailboxes simultaneously.
• Advanced filtering options: The tool allows you to filter PST files based on various criteria. This can help you streamline the migration process by only migrating the relevant data.
• Automatic mapping: The tool automatically maps the PST file data to the appropriate Office 365 mailbox, saving time and reducing errors.

Steps to import PST to Office 365 in a few simple steps

The process of using Regain Import PST to Office 365 is straightforward and can be broken down into the following steps:

• Step1: Download and install the tool on your local computer.

• Step2: Launch the tool and select the PST files to import into O365.

• Step3: Click on the Connect button and enter your Office 365 admin credentials.

• Step4: Upload the mapping file to move PST file data into the Office 365 mailboxes.

• Step5: Start the migration process and monitor the progress.

Conclusion

Both the network upload method and third-party tools can be used to import PST files to Office 365. While the network upload method is a simple and straightforward approach, it has some limitations, including being time-consuming and requiring technical expertise. On the other hand, third-party tools like Regain Import PST to Office 365 offer additional features and can make the migration process more efficient and accessible to non-technical users.