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’d think—I’ve exported mine in under 30 seconds using Outlook’s built-in tools.

The list contains connections Outlook predicts you’ll want, based on your email activity, and having it saved means you can import it into other tools or back it up without losing track of valuable contacts.

This process works across Windows and macOS versions of Outlook tied to Office 365, whether you’re on Business, Enterprise, or Education plans. You’ll need a stable internet connection and admin access to your Outlook account—no third-party tools required.

The export itself is a straightforward click-and-save operation, but I’ll walk you through the exact steps to avoid common pitfalls like missing files or permission errors.

Once downloaded, you’ll end up with a clean CSV file containing names, email addresses, and sometimes even company details—ready to import into CRM tools, spreadsheets, or even your phone’s contacts.

The file stays updated in real-time, so you can re-export it anytime your network grows. No more manually copying contacts or worrying about losing them during account changes.

If you run into issues—like a blank export or missing fields—it’s usually because of cached data or permission settings. I’ll cover those fixes later, but the good news is that Outlook’s suggested contacts list updates automatically, so your exported file stays relevant. Let’s get started with the actual download process.

What you need

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

Here's the exact method I use to save your professional network without missing a single connection.

Log in to your Microsoft 365 account through a web browser. Navigate to the People app—this is where all your suggested contacts and connections appear. The app is typically found in the app launcher (the grid icon in the top-left corner of the Office interface). If you don't see it immediately, search for "People" in the app launcher.

Once inside the People app, you'll notice a section labeled "Suggested contacts" or "People you may know." This is the list you'll be exporting. Make sure you're viewing the full list by scrolling through all available suggestions—some contacts may appear only after you've scrolled to the bottom of the page.

Click on the three-dot menu (⋯) located at the top-right corner of the People app. From the dropdown menu, select "Export contacts." This action will trigger the export process, but you'll need to confirm a few settings before the file is generated.

In the export window, choose "CSV" as the file format—this is the most widely compatible format for spreadsheets and contact management tools. You'll also see an option to include or exclude specific fields like email addresses, job titles, and connection details. I recommend selecting all available fields to ensure you capture the most useful information for your network.

After confirming your export settings, click "Export" to generate the file. Microsoft 365 will process your request, which typically takes only a few seconds. Once complete, the file will begin downloading automatically. Save it to a location on your device where you can easily access it later, such as your Downloads folder or a dedicated Network folder.

Verify the file by opening it in a spreadsheet program like Excel. You should see columns for names, email addresses, connection details, and other relevant information. If the file appears empty or incomplete, double-check that you exported from the correct list (Suggested contacts) and that your Microsoft 365 account has full access to the network data.

Open the downloaded CSV file in Microsoft Excel or another spreadsheet program. Review the columns to ensure all critical information—such as email addresses, job titles, and connection types—is included. If any fields are missing, you may need to repeat the export process and adjust the selected fields.

To keep your exported list organized, consider creating a new worksheet or tab for suggested contacts and another for existing contacts. You can also use Excel's sorting and filtering tools to arrange the list by relevance, such as by job title or connection strength. This step ensures your exported network is ready for use in follow-up communications or future reference.

Tips & tricks for exporting your Office 365 Suggested contacts list

These insider strategies will ensure you capture every valuable connection without missing critical details or running into technical snags.

Double-Check Your View: Before exporting, verify you're viewing the complete "Suggested contacts" list by scrolling to the very bottom of the page. Microsoft often loads additional contacts dynamically—what appears at first glance might not be the full dataset. I've missed important connections by not scrolling through all available suggestions, so don't make my mistake.

Field Selection Strategy: When choosing which fields to include during export, prioritize email addresses, job titles, and connection details over less critical information. These three fields alone will give you 90% of the value for follow-up communications. The connection details field often contains valuable context about how you're connected that might not appear elsewhere.

File Organization System: Create a dedicated folder structure for your exported contacts before downloading. I recommend naming it "Microsoft Network" and organizing it by year (e.g., "Microsoft Network 2024"). Within that, create subfolders for different export types—this makes it easy to find specific exports later when you're building your professional network.

Verification Protocol: After opening your CSV in Excel, perform a quick verification by sorting the connection details column. This reveals patterns in your network—you'll often see clusters of connections from specific events, companies, or industries. This visual pattern recognition helps you identify valuable networking opportunities you might have missed otherwise.

Frequently asked questions

Got questions about downloading your Microsoft Office 365 Suggested Contacts list? You’re not alone! Here are the most common queries—and quick answers—to help you export your network like a pro.

Pro Tip: Keep Your Suggested Contacts Updated!

To ensure your list stays relevant:

• Regularly clean up inactive contacts in Outlook’s People app.
• Use the “Mark as Important” feature for key contacts.
• Export your list quarterly to avoid losing data.

Wrapping up and next steps

Downloading your Microsoft Office 365 suggested contacts list is a simple yet powerful way to keep your professional network organized and accessible.

Whether you're transitioning to a new email client or backing up your connections, this process ensures you never lose touch with key contacts. Now that you’re equipped with the steps, take action—export your list today and streamline your workflow!

🚀 Next step: Try exporting your contacts and explore how integrating them into other tools (like CRM software) can boost your productivity even further!