Import your QuickBooks customer list to Outlook

Learn how to bring your QuickBooks customer list into Microsoft Outlook.

While the customer list can’t be directly imported, you can export it to Excel first, then import the list to Outlook.

The following steps apply to Microsoft Office 2013 installed in Windows. Although they may work with other versions, Intuit doesn't support Microsoft applications. For detailed steps or questions beyond exporting, go to Microsoft Help or contact Microsoft.

Step 1: Export and convert customer info

You have to export your customer info to Excel and then convert it to CSV format.

1. Export the customer info from QuickBooks to Excel.
2. Open the file in Excel then, select File then Save As.
3. For File Format or Save as type dropdown: select CSV (Comma delimited)(.csv) or Comma-seperated Values (.csv).
4. (Optional) Rename the file so you can distinguish it from the original Excel file.
5. Select Save.
   Note: Select OK/Yes if prompted.

Step 2: Name the data range

Once you save the customer info you can then name the data range:

1. Open the saved customer list report in Excel.
2. Highlight the entire block of the report, from the column headings Customer through Shipping Address to your last customer.
3. Select Formulas from the top, then Define Name. Name this range QBData.
4. Select OK, then select the Save icon.
   Note: Select Save if prompted.
5. Close the file.

Step 3: Import data to Outlook

After you name the data range, you can import the data.

1. In Microsoft Outlook, go to File and select Open & Export.
2. Select Import/Export to open the Import wizard.
3. Select Import from another program or file, then Next.
4. Select Comma Separated Values, then Next.
   Note: The Comma Separated Value (CSV file) in this scenario is the Excel file that you created.
5. Select Browse to open the CSV file that contains your customer contact list report.
6. Select the destination folder. Ideally, this is a newly created Contacts folder, then select Next.
7. Select the file to import. The Map Custom Fields pop-up window opens.
   Tip: Select the checkbox on the pop-up to select the file. Select Map Custom Fields if the pop-up window doesn't open.

Step 4: Map custom fields

1. Drag either Customer or Full Name to Name.
2. Drag the Billing Address to Billing Address, Home Address, or Other Address.
3. Drag the Shipping Address to one of the other address fields.
4. Drag Phone Numbers to Business Phone.
5. Scroll down the window on the right until you see + E-mail, then select the plus icon (+).
6. Drag E-mail to E-mail Address.
7. Select OK, then Finish.

Check if all the necessary information has been imported successfully, then move contacts around as needed.