A PST, or Personal Storage Table, is a data format for Microsoft Outlook. That means you cannot immediately access or read a PST file on the normal Gmail web interface. But you can have the emails imported or migrated to your Google account first and then view the data through Gmail in a PST.
As a Google Workspace user, you have access to Google Workspace Migration for Microsoft Outlook (GWMMO) from Google, which can import email, calendar, and contact data from a local PST file. Another practical method is to open the PST in Microsoft Outlook, add your Gmail account to Outlook, and then move the emails you need.
What Is a PST File?
A PST file is an Outlook Data File that saves or archives information such as e-mail messages, contacts, and calendar items. It is most typically formed when backing up or exporting Outlook data.
Email attachments can also be found within PST files. However, some Outlook-specific information such as message rules and special folder attributes may not be transferred when exporting data to PST.
How to Access PST in Gmail
You have two basic approaches to examine.
For Google Workspace accounts, Google’s official GWMMO tool can import data from a PST file into the Google Workspace account. Google says GWMMO can migrate Outlook email, calendar, and contact data. Your Google Workspace administrator may need to enable access for you to utilize the tool.
If you’re not using Google Workspace but a personal Gmail account, you can use Microsoft Outlook as an intermediary. Open the PST file in Outlook, set up your Gmail account in Outlook, and move/copy needed messages to Gmail synced folders.
Step-by-step process
The way it typically works for users of Google Workspace is:
• Make sure that you have the PST file on your computer.
• Download Google Workspace Migration for Microsoft Outlook and install it.
• Sign in and complete the Google Workspace setup.
• Select the PST file as the source for migration.
• Select the data you wish to import, such as your email, calendar information, or contacts.
• Kick off the migration.
• Allow the process to complete and observe the status.
• Log in to Gmail and see if the transferred messages are there.
Google states that after you start the migration, GWMMO will start importing the data you chose to your Google Workspace account.
For a personal Gmail account, you can open the PST in Outlook instead, then add Gmail to Outlook and move selected messages. Currently, Microsoft does support opening and searching PST files in Outlook, although the specific methods and availability of features can depend on your Outlook version.
Typical Problems and Solutions
Cannot open PST file
The PST file might be corrupted or broken. Microsoft provides a utility, ScanPST.exe (Inbox Repair tool), to diagnose and repair several issues in Outlook data files.
Migration Failed
Check your Google Workspace configuration, PST availability, account space, and migration logs. Google has documentation that is particular to GWMMO error codes and troubleshooting.
Outlook information missing some
Not everything that you keep or set up in Outlook is exported to a PST file. For example, Microsoft notes that message rules, blocked sender lists, and some metadata aren't exported.
The PST is password-protected
You may need the right password to get into the PST data. If you don't know the password, then the standard import or migration procedures may not work.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
1. Can Gmail import a PST file directly?
No. Gmail's web interface does not natively display PST files. The data needs to be migrated or transferred to access it as Gmail content.
2. Should I create a backup copy of my PST file?
Yes. Make a copy and do not touch it until you are sure that all crucial emails and other data are successfully migrated.
Must Read: How to Break PST Files into Small Parts?
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