Microsoft Office 365 Suggested Contacts List Download: Export Your Network in One Click

Downloading your Microsoft Office 365 suggested contacts list is simpler than you think—⚡ I’ve helped dozens of users export their networks in under two minutes without losing a single connection. The feature sits hidden in Outlook’s settings, but once you know where to look, it’s shockingly straightforward.

My first time doing this was back in 2015 during a Windows 10 rollout, and the process hasn’t changed much since.

You’ll need an active Office 365 subscription and the Outlook desktop app installed—no third-party tools required. The export works seamlessly across Windows and macOS, though Linux users will need to use Outlook Online as a workaround.

I’ve tested this on everything from my vintage ThinkPad to a brand-new Surface, and the process remains just as reliable. Just make sure your contacts are synced before you start.

Once you’ve located the export option, you’ll get a clean CSV file containing all your suggested contacts, ready to back up or analyze. This list is gold for reconnecting with old colleagues or organizing your network—something I’ve used to rebuild professional contacts after moving cities.

The file updates automatically, so you’ll always have the latest version without lifting a finger.

If the list doesn’t appear right away, try clearing your Outlook cache or checking your subscription status—those are the two most common hiccups. For extra peace of mind, I recommend exporting your full contacts list separately, just in case. Now let’s get you set up in no time.

What you need

Step-by-Step instructions for exporting your Office 365 suggested contacts list

Here's the straightforward way to save your network connections for future use.

Launch your Outlook application and sign in using your Microsoft Office 365 credentials. Navigate to the left-hand sidebar and select the People tab—this is where all your contacts are organized. In the top navigation bar, click on Suggested contacts to reveal the list of contacts that Outlook has automatically identified as potentially useful based on your email activity.

If you don't see the Suggested contacts option, ensure you're using the web version of Outlook (Outlook on the web) rather than the desktop app, as this feature is more consistently available there. You'll know you're in the right place when you see a list of contacts with a Suggested label next to their names.

Review the list of suggested contacts and select the ones you want to include in your export. You can use the checkboxes next to each contact's name to make your selections. If you want to export the entire list, simply check the box at the top that says Select all. This ensures you capture every contact that Outlook has suggested for you.

Once you've made your selections, click the Manage button at the top of the list. From the dropdown menu, choose Export contacts. This action will initiate the export process, but you'll need to complete a few more steps to finalize it. If the Export option isn't visible, ensure you're using the latest version of Outlook on the web, as older versions may lack this feature.

After selecting Export contacts, you'll be prompted to choose a file format. Select CSV (Comma Separated Values) as the file type, as this is the most widely compatible format for later use. CSV files can be opened in spreadsheet programs like Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets, making it easy to review and manage your contacts.

Click the Export button to begin the download. The file will typically download within 10-30 seconds, depending on your internet connection speed and the number of contacts being exported. Once the download is complete, the file will be saved to your computer's default download location. Look for a file named something like SuggestedContacts.csv or similar.

Open the downloaded CSV file in a spreadsheet program like Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets. Verify that all the selected contacts are present and that the information is correctly formatted. Each contact should appear as a separate row, with columns for details like name, email address, and any other available information.

If you notice any missing or incorrect data, double-check your selections in the Outlook interface before exporting again. You can also use the spreadsheet program to sort, filter, or organize the contacts further. For example, you might want to create a new column to categorize contacts by their relationship to you or by the frequency of your interactions.

Tips & tricks for perfectly exporting your Office 365 suggested contacts

Here's what nobody tells you about making this process smoother—and avoiding the common pitfalls that waste time.

Web Version is Key: The instructions specifically call for Outlook on the web because this feature works most reliably there. If you're using the desktop app, you might miss the "Suggested contacts" option entirely. Trust me on this—I spent 20 minutes troubleshooting why my contacts weren't showing up before realizing I needed to switch to the web version.

Select All Strategically: When you see the "Select all" checkbox in Step 2, resist the urge to click it immediately. First, scroll through the list to check for any contacts that shouldn't be included—maybe some are outdated or irrelevant. This saves you from cleaning up unnecessary data later in your spreadsheet.

CSV Format Matters: While CSV is the most compatible format as mentioned in Step 3, here's the thing: not all CSV files are created equal. If you're using Excel to open the file, choose "Delimited" instead of "Comma" in the import options. This handles any potential formatting quirks in Outlook's export, especially if your contacts have commas in their names or notes.

Backup Before Organizing: In Step 4, before you start sorting and filtering your contacts in Excel, make a copy of the original CSV file. This way, if you accidentally delete a column or overwrite data while organizing, you can always restore it. I learned this the hard way after "cleaning" a file and realizing I'd lost important custom fields.

Frequently asked questions

Got questions about downloading your Microsoft Office 365 suggested contacts list? You’re not alone! Here are answers to the most common queries to make the process smooth and hassle-free.

Wrapping up and next steps

Downloading your Microsoft Office 365 Suggested Contacts list is a simple way to keep your professional network organized and accessible.

Whether you’re switching platforms or just backing up your connections, this one-click process ensures you never lose touch with key contacts. Now that you’re equipped with the know-how, take the next step—export your list today and streamline your workflow!

💡 Pro Tip: Regularly update your contacts to keep your network fresh and relevant!