How to Open & Read PST Files in Gmail: A Step-By-Step Guide

Published By Mohit Jha

Approved By Tej Pratap Shukla

Published On March 7th, 2024

Reading Time 7 Minutes Reading

The motto of this write-up is to provide an answer for – How do I open .pst in personal Gmail account? As we know, PST is created in Microsoft Outlook application and stored all the mailbox components such as Emails, Contacts on the local system. But there is no direct option that can import .pst(Outlook local file) in Gmail directly.

It is true, you cannot view or read any file until or unless it is not available in the application.

Therefore, to read PST files in Gmail, the very first job is to import the Outlook Personal Storage Table (.pst) file in Gmail online account. Afterward, we will find the file on Gmail interface and view PST files content.
So, Let’s Begin!!

Table of Contents:

Techniques on How to Read PST Files in Gmail Account

It is evident from above that first, we need to import the Outlook local file in Google Mail in order to read it. To achieve this, there are two approaches and both of them are illustrated below.

# Approach 1: Use Smart Utility to View PST Data in Gmail

The very first method is the use of an automated PCVITA PST Importer. It is a program devised to transit data of multiple PST files in a desired Gmail account without the assistance of Outlook application. It covers the migration of Email Messages, Mail Attachments, Contacts, Contacts Groups, Appointments, and Meetings Entries from PST.

Adding to it, the utility provides multiple features such as an email filter for granular-level migration, an attachment filter, and incremental migration for the facile import job. And, once you transfer the file using a tool, then simply log in to your Gmail account and open the PST file emails in it and other data too.

Let’s check out how to read PST files in Gmail using Software

Step 1- First download and launch the software and then complete the prerequisite to activate the software.
Free Download Purchase Now
Step 2- Provide source as PST and Destination as G Suite to proceed
Step 3- Select the desired category that you want to open and read and here apply the date range filter.
Step 4- Now select PST folder path into the software and then validate the necessary permissions and click Next.
Step 5- After that, provide the details of Google Workspace to the software like Admin Email, Service Account, and Certificate file.
Step 6- Click on Fetch users to let the tool fetch the source accounts as per the PST folder path.
Step 7- At last, click on Start to begin importing Outlook emails to Gmail account.

Once the process is finished, open the Gmail account and view the left side panel where folders lie. Here, you will get the recently imported .pst file folder.

You can Also Read- Export Office 365 Calendar to Outlook PST

# Approach 2: Use Google GSMMO Tool to Read PST Files in Gmail

This workaround is useful for those users who have Outlook applications in their system. Because G Suite Migration for Microsoft Outlook (GSMMO) cannot be worked in the absence of the Microsoft Outlook application. Now, Let’s have a look at how to use GSMMO and view PST files in Gmail.

Stage 1: Export PST File From Outlook

To get the .pst file in Google account, the very first step is to get the file from its supporting application and further use the GSMMO utility. To have a PST file, you need to follow the below instructions:-

Step 1- To get the PST file, you need to open Import/Export Wizard by clicking on File>> Open & Export >>Import/ Export.

click import/export to open Outlook PST file

Step 2- Once the wizard gets opened, you need to select Export to a file option. Then, hit the Next button.

Step 3- Afterward, choose the option, Outlook Data File (.pst) >> Next.

select outlook data file (.pst) to import

Step 4- Under the Export Outlook Data File window, you need to choose the data folder whose PST file you want to read in Gmail account. And, once you have selected, click on Next button to proceed further.

Step 5- In the subsequent window, click on Browse to mention the desired location to save the PST file. Else, you can go with the default location also. In the same window, you get three different options;

Replace duplicates with items exported
Allow duplicate items to be created
Do not export duplicate items

select path to open pst file

You can apply any of the constraints and create a .pst file.

Step 6- At last, click on Finish button.

click on finish to read pst file in Gmail

Step 7- As soon as you click on Finish, a pop-up message appears on the screen to apply a password to the newly created PST file. If you wish to make the file protected, provide a password. Else, click on Cancel.

Stage 2: Open PST File in Gmail Via. GSMMO Tool

Once you get the Outlook local file, the next step is to import this file to open and access its content. For this, you need to use GSMMO software which can be easily downloadable from its official website. Moreover, it has a pre-condition that needs Outlook in the system before installing the software. Otherwise, the following error message pops up.

Let’s Check Out the Working of the GSMMO tool –

Step 1- Once you have installed the application, open it and you will get a screen that asks for Gmail credentials. Enter the email address and click on Continue to redirect to the browser.
Step 2- Now, you need to enter the password.
Step 3- After the account validation, select the PST file as shown in the screenshot. If you want to migrate entire data, then opt to Migrate all data. Otherwise, you can also use the Incremental approach by selecting the Migrate only new data and clicking on Next.
Step 4- Finally, the migration process starts.
Step 5- Open the account and read the PST files in Gmail that were recently migrated.

Finally!! We Can View PST File in Gmail Account

There are plenty of reasons why users need their Outlook messages, and contact lists in Google accounts. For this, there is a requirement to import Outlook local files i.e., PST in the desired account. By doing this, the user can easily open PST file in Gmail account. Therefore, we have discussed the most popular workarounds for the same. As per requirement, choose the method and read the content of the desired file.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q. How to quickly read PST files in Google Workspace?

Download & Launch the Software
Select Source Platform & Validate
Choose Category from Workload Bar
Select Destination Platform & Validate
Choose Users & then Start the Process

Q. Can Gmail import PST files?

Gmail does not have the facility to import PST files. But, you can use external applications to do this task as recommended.

Q. How do I open PST file in a free Gmail account?

Well, you can configure the Gmail account in Outlook and import the PST file into Outlook. Then, move the PST data to Gmail inbox. This is a workaround if you use a free Gmail account.