Export Outlook Contacts to vCard Securely- 2 Best Ways

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Published By Siddharth Tehri
Published On August 22nd, 2025
Reading Time 8 Minutes Reading

Microsoft Outlook is considered one of the best email clients used by individuals and professionals. It is also useful for managing calendars, tasks, and an extensive list of contacts. Outlook contacts are an organised address book that stores essential information such as phone numbers, emails, etc. However, users need to access their saved Outlook contacts outside the Outlook environment in many situations and want to know how to export Outlook contacts to vCard file.

For example, you need to import contacts to Gmail or iCloud. In such cases, the Outlook PST file format becomes a limitation, because other platforms accept the vCard file format for better contact management. The VCF format becomes highly valuable for managing and exchanging contact information. So, in this guide, we’ll introduce effective ways that suit your needs and preferences. Now, let’s start the discussion.

Table of Contents

Why Need to Export Contacts from Outlook to VCF?

In today’s digital era, exporting contacts from Outlook to vCard format has become a common need for personal and professional users. Since vCard is an upgraded file format that stores essential contact data. The importance of vCard can be seen in several ways. Below, we have highlighted some important points:

  • The fastest and quickest way to disseminate contact information is through a Virtual Business Card (VCF) instead of a regular business card.
  • If you export contacts to vCard, users can maintain the security of their contact details, and VCF acts as a reliable backup format.
  • These virtual contact files are ready to use, as they work with various hardware, software, and platforms. You can use the files as soon as they are done.
  • If you export contacts to vCard, users can maintain the security of their contact details, and VCF acts as a reliable backup format.

So, after learning all the necessary information related to the vCard file format, let us know the various solutions to export contacts from Outlook as vCard easily.

How to Export Outlook Contacts to vCard File?

Exporting Outlook contacts as a VCF file can be done in several ways, depending on the user’s contact data and requirements. In this section, we will explore the two reliable methods, manual and automated, to export contacts from Outlook to VCF smoothly. Here is a breakdown of steps for both methods that helps users understand how to export all Outlook contacts as vCard format. Now, let’s start the discussion:

Method 1: Manual Trick to Export Contacts from Outlook as vCard File

Many users here need a free solution to transfer all Outlook contacts as vCard. So, this part is perfect for these types of users. So, let’s follow the steps mentioned below. However, it also has some drawbacks, which we will discuss after the steps.d

#1 Save Outlook Contacts to VCF One by One

  1. MS Outlook on your system.
  2. Tap the Contact and click on the People icon (you can only pick one contact at a time).
  3. Select the File tab and choose the Save As button.
  4. First, select the folder and location where you need to save the output file.
  5. Finally, change the Save as type to vCard file format.

#2 Save Limited Contacts

  1. Run the “MS Outlook” email client and click the “File” button to export Outlook contacts to VCF.
  2. Navigate to the “Contacts Folder” & choose the contacts required.
  3. Choose Home >> Forward Contact & click on “As a Business Card.
  4. Right-click on the contacts when the screen pops up.
  5. Tap on the “Select All” button and then copy them all.
  6. Finally, please navigate to a local folder and paste them there.

#3 Convert Outlook Contacts to VCF File Via Gmail (Multiple Contacts)

  1. Open MS Outlook and go to the Contacts section.
  2. Choose Import & Export from the file menu.
  3. Click on the Next button and select Export to a file. Choose the CSV format.
  4. Select the Contacts Folder and specify the location where you want to Save the file.
  5. Click on the Finish button to export Outlook contacts to vCard.

You cannot directly import a CSV file to your Gmail, so you need to convert it into a vCard file format. Just follow the steps below to complete the export process.

  1. Open Gmail.com and click on the Gmail icon.
  2. Select the Contacts to open Google Contacts to export contacts from Outlook to VCF.
  3. Choose the CSV file you just created and select that file.
  4. Click the Open button to import Outlook contacts to your Gmail account.
  5. Select the vCard export format, choose the contacts you need to transfer, and click the Export button.

Now, you can save Outlook contacts as a vCard and also import Outlook contacts to other email platforms that accept files in vCard format. Now, know the limitations of using the manual solution.

Drawbacks of the Manual Approach

  • If you export contacts from Outlook to VCF, you must already have Outlook installed on your computer.
  • Also, exporting Outlook contacts is more time-consuming, and custom fields are not preserved properly.
  • The manual method also requires technical knowledge, allowing you to export one contact at a time.
  • If you do not follow or skip any of your steps, then the risk of data loss will increase, and it’s an error-prone solution.

If you have not been able to complete this task even though you have used the free method mentioned above and are facing some problems. So, no need to worry, we have also found a solution, which is further explained below.

Method 2: Automated Solution to Export Outlook Contacts as vCard

If unsatisfied after using the manual method, you can use an automated solution to export contacts from Outlook to VCF to manage your contact data better. Here is a proficient tool named Outlook Contacts Export Tool, which is designed to export all Outlook contacts as vCard files seamlessly.

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This software provides a safe process execution environment without affecting the source file data. It comes with various advanced features. It is the best software that experts recommend and helps massive users save their Outlook contacts as vCard efficiently.

Export Outlook Contacts as vCard in a Few Clicks:

  1. Firstly, download and run the software on your system.
  2. Now, click Add Files and Folders to browse Outlook contacts.
  3. Select the Outlook contacts you need to export to a vCard.
  4. Choose the vCard export option from the section.
  5. Lastly, select the destination path and click on the Export button.

Key Features of Using the Automated Method

  • Easily export Outlook contacts to vCard in bulk without entering them manually.
  • This software supports all versions of vCard (2.1, 3.0, and 4.0) and saves your output file.
  • It maintains complete contact data without any data loss or file corruption.
  • This tool provides a simple interface that smoothly exports contacts from Outlook to VCF files.

Read More: Also, learn how to import contacts to vCard easily.

Concluding Words

In this comprehensive guide, we have explained simple ways to export Outlook contacts to vCard securely. You can perform all of these methods on all versions of MS Outlook. Both manual and automated solutions are introduced with some limitations and features. The former method wins over the manual tricks. Choose the method that keeps your data secure and does not damage your source files while exporting contacts from Outlook to VCF format.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: How do you export Outlook contacts as vCard?

A:You need to export contacts from Outlook to vCard. Opt for an automated solution that takes less time and easily exports all Outlook contacts. Below are the steps:

  • Download and launch the above software.
  • Click to add a file and browse your Outlook contacts.
  • Select the contact list and hit the Export button.
  • Choose the vCard format option while exporting contacts.
  • Lastly, save the resultant vCard file of contacts.

Q2: Can I export all Outlook contacts to different vCard versions?

A: Yes, it is possible to export contacts from Outlook to VCF in different versions with the help of an advanced technique, and it also depends on platform requirements.

Q3: Can I download the suggested software on Windows 11?

A: The Outlook contacts to vCard software is suitable for working with all the latest Windows and Mac OS platforms.