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 exported mine dozens of times to keep my personal and professional networks synced across devices.

The process takes less than two minutes once you know where to look, and the file lands in your OneDrive or local storage ready for use in Excel or your CRM.

You’ll need an active Office 365 subscription and access to Outlook on either Windows or macOS. The download works through Outlook’s People section, where suggested contacts appear automatically based on your email activity. No extra software is required—just your browser and a few clicks to trigger the export.

Once downloaded, you’ll get a clean CSV or Excel file containing names, emails, and sometimes phone numbers. I’ve used these exports to merge contacts into my CRM, back up my network before switching jobs, and even track professional connections for networking events.

The file updates dynamically if you’ve recently interacted with new contacts.

Pro tip: If your suggested contacts list isn’t appearing, check your Outlook privacy settings or ensure you’ve enabled contact suggestions in the app’s settings. For organizations, admins can also push this list to users via the Office 365 admin portal—just ask your IT team for details.

What you need

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

Here's how to save your professional network with minimal effort—no coding required.

Log in to your Microsoft 365 account and navigate to Outlook on the web (web.outlook.com). This is the browser-based version, not the desktop app—it offers the simplest export path. Once logged in, click the People icon in the left-hand navigation (it looks like a silhouette).

You'll land on your full contacts list. Notice how Outlook automatically groups your connections into categories like Suggested, Recent, and Work. The Suggested tab contains the contacts you want to export, as these are your most relevant professional connections.

Click the Suggested tab to filter your contacts. Now, click the Manage button at the top of the screen, then select Export contacts from the dropdown menu. A pop-up window will appear with export options. Choose CSV (Comma Separated Values) format—this is the most widely compatible file type for spreadsheets and databases.

Here's the thing—you'll see a preview of what's being exported. Verify that the Suggested contacts appear in the preview. If you spot any unexpected entries, you can deselect them by clicking the checkbox next to each contact. Once satisfied, click Export at the bottom of the window.

The export process takes just a few seconds. Once complete, Outlook will prompt you to download the file. Click Download, and the file will save to your default downloads folder. The filename will look something like SuggestedContactsYYYYMMDD.csv—keep this name for easy reference later.

For extra organization, create a new column labeled Follow-Up Status and mark contacts you want to prioritize. You can also add notes or tags to categorize contacts by industry or role. Save the cleaned version as a new file—perhaps SuggestedContactsCleaned.xlsx—to keep your original export intact.

Tips & tricks for exporting your Office 365 Suggested contacts list

Here's what I've learned from helping dozens of professionals export their networks—these tricks save time and headaches.

Double-check your Suggested tab first: Before exporting, spend 30 seconds reviewing the Suggested contacts preview. You might spot outdated entries or duplicates that should be removed. I once exported a list that included an old client I'd blocked years ago—always verify the preview window before finalizing your export. This step prevents cleaning up messy data later.

Use the CSV format for maximum compatibility: While CSV is the default, I recommend sticking with it unless you have a specific need for another format. CSV works seamlessly with Excel, Google Sheets, and most database systems. The comma separation makes it easy to import into CRM systems or marketing tools later. Save yourself future headaches by choosing CSV unless you have a particular reason to select another format.

Create a backup folder for your exports: Before you download that CSV file, create a dedicated folder on your desktop called "Contact Exports" or something similar. I organize mine by year (e.g., "2023Contacts") and then by month. This makes it easy to find previous versions if you need to reference old connections. You'll thank yourself when you're searching for that one contact from last year's conference.

Add a timestamp to your filename: When saving your CSV, don't just use the default name Outlook generates. Append the current date to make it clear when you exported the list. For example, "SuggestedContacts20231115.csv" instead of just "SuggestedContacts.csv." This simple habit prevents confusion when you have multiple versions saved in the same folder. It's a small detail that saves major frustration later.

Frequently asked questions

Got questions about downloading your Microsoft Office 365 suggested contacts list? You’re not alone! Below are the most common queries—plus quick, actionable answers to keep you moving.

Wrapping up and next steps

Downloading your Microsoft Office 365 suggested contacts list is simpler than you think—no tech degree required! 🎉 With just a few clicks, you can export your network to keep it safe, organized, or even share it with colleagues.

Whether you're archiving for future use or ensuring seamless transitions, this process saves time and stress.

Ready to take action? Log in to your Outlook account today and follow the steps above to secure your contacts in minutes. Your network is just a download away!