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

The Microsoft Office 365 suggested contacts list download just got easier than ever—⚡ I’ve exported mine in under two minutes using a method that works for both Outlook web and desktop versions.

The list contains all those "people you may know" suggestions that Outlook generates from your email activity, and having them saved locally means you can import them into other tools or back them up without losing them.

Before diving in, you’ll need an active Office 365 license and either Outlook 2016 or later, or access to Outlook on the web.

If you’re an admin managing multiple accounts, PowerShell becomes your best friend for bulk exports—though I’ll walk through both methods so you can pick what fits your workflow. The manual method uses built-in Outlook features, while the PowerShell route gives you more control for larger networks.

Once you’ve got your list downloaded, you’ll end up with a clean CSV or VCF file that’s ready to import into other contact managers or CRM tools. No more scrambling to recreate connections when you switch platforms—just a simple export and you’re covered.

The process is foolproof, and I’ve included troubleshooting tips for those pesky "access denied" errors that pop up when permissions aren’t quite right.

If Outlook’s built-in tools don’t cut it, I’ll also point you to third-party solutions that handle larger exports or more complex scenarios. Whether you’re backing up your network for a project or just want to keep your contacts organized across devices, this method saves you time and headaches.

What you need

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

Here’s how to quickly save your professional network without missing a single contact.

Log in to your Microsoft 365 account and navigate to Outlook on the web (https://outlook.office.com). This is the fastest way to access the suggested contacts feature, as the desktop app doesn’t offer the same export options.

If you’re prompted to choose between different accounts, select the one linked to your Office 365 subscription. The suggested contacts list is tied to your work or school account, so make sure you’re using the correct one. You’ll know you’re in the right place when you see the familiar Outlook interface with your emails and calendar.

In the left-hand navigation pane, click on the People icon (it looks like a silhouette). This opens your full contact list, including suggested contacts from your emails, meetings, and shared files.

Here’s the thing—your suggested contacts won’t be in a separate folder. Instead, they’ll appear as recommendations within your main contacts list. To filter them, click the Suggested tab at the top of the contacts pane. This ensures you’re only working with the contacts Microsoft has identified as relevant to you.

With the Suggested tab active, click the Manage dropdown in the top-right corner of the contacts pane. From the menu, select Export contacts. A pop-up window will appear asking you to confirm your export settings.

Choose CSV (Comma Separated Values) as the file format—this is the most compatible option for later use in other programs like Excel or CRM tools. Click Export, and Outlook will generate the file. The process takes about 10-15 seconds, so don’t close the window until you see a confirmation message.

The file will automatically download to your computer’s default Downloads folder. Open the folder and locate the file, which will be named something like SuggestedContacts.csv. Double-click to open it in a spreadsheet program like Excel.

Verify that all your suggested contacts are present by checking the first few rows. Look for columns like Name, Email, and Company—these should all be populated. If any contacts are missing, double-check that you were still on the Suggested tab before exporting.

Once the file is open, you can save it as an Excel (.xlsx) file for easier editing. Go to File > Save As and choose a location on your computer or cloud storage. This makes it easy to share with colleagues or import into other tools like Salesforce or HubSpot.

I always recommend adding a timestamp to the filename (e.g., SuggestedContacts_June2024.xlsx) so you can track updates over time. This way, you’ll always know when your contact list was last refreshed.

Tips & tricks for exporting your Office 365 suggested contacts list

Here's the thing about exporting your suggested contacts—Microsoft makes it simple, but a few small details can save you from missing contacts or wasted time.

Account Accuracy: Double-check you're logged into your work or school Office 365 account before starting. I made this mistake once and ended up exporting my personal contacts instead of my professional network. The suggested contacts list is tied specifically to your work account, so verify the email address at the top of your Outlook screen matches your company domain.

Tab Selection: This is where most people go wrong—don't just export all contacts! Make absolutely certain you've selected the Suggested tab before clicking Export. The suggested contacts won't appear in your main contacts folder, so skipping this step means you'll get your entire contact list instead of just the curated suggestions Microsoft has identified as relevant to your professional network.

File Verification: After exporting, open the CSV file and quickly scan the first 10 rows to confirm you see professional contacts with company information. I recommend checking for the Company column specifically—this is a dead giveaway that you've got the right contacts. If you see personal contacts or missing company names, you likely exported from the wrong tab.

Backup Strategy: Before converting to Excel, make a copy of your original CSV file and store it in a separate folder. I keep mine in a "Contacts Backups" folder on my desktop with the date in the filename. This way, if something goes wrong during conversion or editing, you always have the original data intact. It only takes a few seconds but has saved me multiple times.

Frequently asked questions

Wrapping up and next steps

Downloading your Microsoft Office 365 Suggested Contacts list is simpler than you think—no technical expertise required! Whether you're archiving for backup, migrating to a new system, or just staying organized, exporting your network ensures you never lose valuable connections. 🚀

Now that you know how to export your contacts in just a few clicks, take the next step: review and clean up your list to keep it relevant and efficient. Happy organizing!