If you are a working professional and are using Lotus Notes as your day-to-day email client, you may find it very overwhelming due to its complex interface, limited modern features, and steep learning curve.
And as businesses move toward smooth workflows, user friendly tools, and rich UI, Microsoft Outlook seems one of the most convenient email clients. Its clean interface, intuitive navigation, and seamless integration with the Microsoft 365 ecosystem make everyday communication significantly easier.
But one thing most people don’t understand is that all of the emails in Lotus Notes are in .NSF format and all emails in Outlook are in the form of PST. But due to the complex nature of email clients and their working, most people don’t understand the process of converting their NSF files into Outlook format. In this blog, we are going to tell you the same. But let’s first understand some of the other significant reasons why someone would need to convert Lotus Notes to Outlook.
Reasons for converting Lotus Notes files into Outlook format.
A lot of users find Lotus Notes to be outdated and do not prefer it’s poor UI, making users dislike it.
- In Outlook, it is more convenient to manage emails, calendars, and contacts becomes simpler and less time-consuming compared to Lotus Notes.
- Since Outlook is owned by Microsoft, it becomes easier to collab with other apps from Microsoft than Lotus Notes.
- Since Outlook it more streamlined than Lotus Notes, more people will find it easier to use.
- When you use Outlook, you can access your emails on any device just by login and without any additional setup.
Process of converting Lotus Notes files into Outlook format.
There are usually two methods to convert your Lotus Notes files into Outlook format, i.e. manual and automatic method.
Manual method to Convert NSF files to PST
In the manual method, you are expected to do the whole process yourself. You have to perform each and every step. Manual methods often do not require any third-party installation.
Here’s how to convert Lotus Notes files into Outlook format via manual method of conversion.
- First, enable the IMAP service on your mail server so it can sync Lotus Notes mail.
- In Lotus Notes, create a new IMAP account and let it sync your emails to that mailbox.
- Once synced, drag or copy the emails you want into the IMAP folders.
- Open Outlook and add the same IMAP account there.
- Let Outlook sync all the folders and emails from the server.
- Finally, move the synced mail from the IMAP folders into your Outlook inbox or PST folders.
All of your Lotus Notes files are now converted into Outlook files.
Automated method to Convert NSF files to PST
In the automatic method, you are expected to download third-party software. It is simple, easy and convenient. Additionally, automatic methods provide some of the best features in the market.
Since an automatic method requires you to download a third-party software, here we are going to take the example of TrustVare NSF to PST Converter, one of the highly regarded tools in the market. This software easily convert Lotus Notes to Outlook in a few minutes. It can convert emails, attachments, contacts, calendars, tasks, etc. into PST format without any errors or mistakes. It comes with a user friendly interface that allows everyone to use this software without needing any technical skills. It comes with a free demo version to learn more about its features and functions.
Here’s how you can convert your Lotus Notes files into Outlook with an automatic method.
- Download and install the software on your device.
- Browse the NSF files on your device.
- Select all the NSF files you wish to convert. (You can select multiple files at once via bulk conversion.)
- Choose the PST format.
- Select the location where you would like to save your new PST files
- Click on Convert.
Why people prefer automatic method over manual method of conversion
There can be various reasons why one would prefer an automatic method of conversion over a manual one.
- As in the manual method you have to do every single thing by yourself, it increases the risk of human errors. But in the case of an automatic method, all the process is done by the tool with minimal clicks required. Reducing the chances of human errors on a very big scale.
- Compared to manual methods, automatic methods are way faster. Along with that, the bulk conversion feature makes the process faster by converting multiple files at one time.
- A lot of efficient third-party tools provide the preview feature, so you can see all your files even before converting them. But in the case of manual methods, you have to rely on your gut feeling..
- The manual method you are performing can be useful for one version of Windows or the email client, but may not work for other versions. On the other hand, most of the automatic tools are cross-platform compatible.
- In robust software, you do not need multiple tools to convert your files’ format.
Conclusion
We understand there can be various reasons for converting your Lotus Notes emails into Outlook format. Indeed, the manual methods exist, but they are lengthy, complex and have their own drawbacks. But an Professional tool comes with some of the best features. It makes the whole process convenient and simple.
FAQ (Frequently asked questions)
1. Can I convert NSF to PST manually?
Yes, but only indirectly through an IMAP account, as Outlook does not support NSF files.
2. Does the manual method only convert emails?
Yes. It does not consistently convert contacts, calendars, or tasks.
3. Is the manual procedure applicable to huge NSF files?
No. Large files can end up in sync errors or missing data.
4. How many files can I convert with this tool in one time?
There is no limit at all. You can convert as much as files you wish to.
5. Is the tool free of cost?
No, in order to use this tool, you need to pay a one time purchase fee. After that, you can convert as many files as you want to.
Add Comment