How to Convert Outlook PST from ANSI to Unicode
Even though you may be using a very current version of Outlook, it is still quite possible to using an ANSI based PST file if there have been multiple generations of Outlook version upgrades over the years since Outlook does not automatically convert the format of any given PST file (ergo ANSI format is not converted to Unicode).
Converting any PST file from ANSI to Unicode is a simple and straight-forward process which can be done one of two different ways when using Outlook ‘2003 or later. Files cannot be converted from within Outlook ‘2000 or ‘2002 (XP)
Step #1 – Determining Format
The first step is to determine whether the PST file is ANSI or Unicode. If using Outlook ‘2000 or ‘2002(XP) – it will automatically be an ANSI based file. For later versions, the steps to follow are
– right-click on the root (top of the folder tree) of the PST file being checked
– click “Properties” (or Data File Properties” depending on version of Outlook in use)
– click the <Advanced> button
– if the <Format> field on the Advanced tab window contains the words “Outlook 97-2002” in the description, it is an ANSI based file
Step #2 – Converting the data
a) – Export the entire PST file to another PST file (the PST file created during the export process will automatically be in the Unicode format with one important caveat. If you select a pre-existing PST file to “export to” – it will retain the format of that file so best practice would be to always create a new PST file for the export. (see “Export to an Outlook PST file“)
OR
b) – Manually create a new PST file in the Outlook profile and then manually move all the folders from the ANSI PST file to the newly created one – see “How to Copy-Move Outlook Folders-Items (a PST Import alternative)“
Step #3 – Resetting PST file reference(s) – (if applicable)
If converting a PST file you’re using in the current version of Outlook, then it will also be important to make sure that you use the “converted” PST file going forward which may include changing the “default data file” for the profile.
a) add the exported PST file to the Outlook profile. There are multiple ways to achieve the same result which can be done either from within Outlook itself (actual steps vary depending on Outlook version) OR via the Control Panel <Mail> App which is the same for all versions of Outlook.
Using the Control Panel Mail app
With Outlook closed, using the Control Panel Mail app –> click the Data File button –> click <Add> and selected the newly exported PST file. Close the Mail app and start Outlook.
<IF> the original PST file used as the source of the export (or move.copy) is set as the “default” in the Data Files tab, then change the default file to be the newly added PST file.
(do not suggest removing the original PST file at this particular point)
b) click on the <Email> tab and check to see if any POP3 email accounts had the old PST file set as the destination <Inbox>. If yes, then for each POP3 account that this applies to, click on the <Change Folder> button and select the <Inbox> in the newly exported PST file just added to the profile
c) Close the Mail app and start Outlook
d) Verify that the contents of the newly added PST file has everything that was contained in (or that you wanted from) the original PST file. If it does, right-click on the <Root> of the old PST file and <Close>
Suggestions (not mandatory but highly recommended)
#1 – If migrating to another version of Outlook, convert the PST file on the original system whenever possible.
#2 – Run ScanPST on the file to be converted to ensure that no underlying issues exist. All versions of Outlook will open an ANSI PST file and ScanPST from any of the Office installations will run but suggestion is to use the ScanPST version for the Outlook version currently in use versus the one you are upgrading to particularly if the new version is Outlook ‘2013 and convert the file on the original system whenever and whereever possible
#3 – ALWAYS check the contents of any PST files being copied to another machine BEFORE the original machine becomes permanently unavailable. Once the original machine (files) are no longer available, will be too late if any catastrophic data issues are found afterwards.
Quasi-Mandatory
#4 – NEVER copy a PST file that is currently open in Outlook to another device/machine. Doing so leaves you open to file corruption occurring in the copied (destination) PST file and which may become permanently unusable.
Category: Outlook - How To
