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Importing Outlook Contacts in 8x8 Work for Desktop

Updated: 02/11/2025

Objective

Import, sync, or remove local Outlook contacts in 8x8 Work for Desktop.

Applies To

  • Outlook
  • Contacts
  • 8x8 Work for Desktop
  • Windows

8x8 Work for Desktop Feature Checklist

Review the checklist below prior to importing Outlook contacts.

Local Microsoft Outlook (MAPI) Contact Sync

Review the questions below to determine whether this feature will work with your system.
  • Are you using a Windows operating system?
    • Microsoft doesn’t support MAPI on the Mac OS.
  • Do you use Outlook 2013 or Outlook 2016?
    • This synchronization is with your local contacts. It won’t sync from Outlook.com.
  • Do you have less than 10,000 contacts?
    • The synchronization will time out after 10 minutes or 10,000 contacts.
  • If your mail server is MS Exchange, has caching been enabled?
    • Support for remote address books is best-effort only.
Note: Office 365 is supported on a best-effort basis, as it doesn’t always cache contacts locally.

FAQs

Q: How often is the synchronization done?
A: The sync is done on demand via the Refresh option.
Q: Can I import both personal and company contacts?
A: Yes, you can import both or either.
Q: What fields are imported?
A: First name, Last Name, Phone numbers, Fax numbers, and Email addresses.
Q: Will my contacts be available on other PCs or in 8x8 Work for Mobile?
A: No. This is a local sync with the local Outlook version on the PC and the synced contacts are kept privately on the computer.

Importing Outlook Contacts

In 8x8 Work for Desktop, the ability to sync Outlook contacts is available to Windows and Outlook users. This feature is not available to macOS users.
Important: 
  • Outlook data is stored locally on the computer, so contacts imported to 8x8 Work for Desktop on that computer will only be available on 8x8 Work for Desktop on that computer.
  • Because Outlook data is stored locally on the computer, users should set 8x8 Work for Desktop to "Call using Computer" to see the correct Caller ID on inbound and outbound calls for imported contacts. Contact data imported to 8x8 Work for Desktopis not passed to desk phones.
  1. Log in to 8x8 Work for Desktop.
  2. Select Settings.
  3. Select Contacts.
  4. Under Add Account, select Outlook.
  5. Log in with your Outlook account.
  6. Select Personal Contact, Company Contact, or both. (Note: The maximum number of contacts that can be imported is 10,000.)
    • Personal contacts are imported to My Contacts.
    • Company contacts are imported to Company.
    • ​Fields imported include:​ Name, Emails, Phones, and first Address.

Remove Imported Outlook Contacts

In 8x8 Work for Desktop go to Settings > Contacts and select Remove (trash can).

Sync Imported Outlook Contacts

In 8x8 Work for Desktop go to My Contacts > Add, and select Refresh Outlook Contacts.

Additional Information

For more information, see the product documentation on how to Import Contacts in 8x8 Work for Desktop.