How to Import a Mailing List

Import a mailing list into Microsoft Outlook or Outlook Express.

Whether you create a mailing list on your own or purchase one from someone else, you can use it with several different programs. The file format for a mailing list is usually .csv. Using the .csv file, you can import the mailing list into Microsoft Outlook or Outlook Express to add the list to your other contacts or to maintain them in a separate folder.

Things You'll Need

• Microsoft Outlook or Excel

Instructions

1. Open Microsoft Outlook or Outlook Express and click on the "Contacts" tab.

2. Create a folder in the "Contacts" list if you want to categorize your imported mailing list separate from your other contacts. Click on "File > New > Folder." Name the folder whatever you want.

3. Import the mailing list. Click on "File > Import and Export." The "Import and Export" wizard appears.

4. Click on "Import from another program or file" and click on "Next." Select "Comma Separated Values (Windows)" in the next screen and click on "Next."

5. Choose "Allow Duplicates to be Created" if some of the contacts in the mailing list and your current contacts have similar values. This will create a separate listing for the contacts instead of combining them with the current contacts. Click "Browse" to search and find your mailing list on your computer. Select the mailing list .csv file in the file location and click on "Open." Click "Next" to go to the next screen.

6. Click on the folder under the "Contacts" header that you created earlier for where you want to import the mailing list contacts into. If you didn't create a folder, just lick on the "Contacts" header and then click "Next."

7. Click the "Import...." checkbox and then click the "Map Custom Fields" button. You will be shown the column headers for the .csv file in the left window and the Microsoft fields in the right. For each column, choose the field that corresponds by clicking on the column in the right window and then the field in the left window. This is where the "Import and Export Wizard" will load the information. For instance, if you have a column in the .csv that is email addresses, map it to the "E-mail Address" field in Outlook or Outlook Express. Click "OK" when you are done with all of the columns and fields.

8. Click "Finish" to complete the import process. View your contacts to make sure that the mailing list has imported properly.

References

• "Microsoft Office Outlook 2007 Plain & Simple"; Jim Boyce; 2007
• "Microsoft Office Outlook 2003 Inside Out"; Jim Boyce; 2003
• Email Questions: How to import a mailing list from Microsoft Excel into Microsoft Outlook