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Cannot export contacts to CSV

  • 5 replies
  • 12 have this problem
  • 25 views
  • Last reply by Amoscs

Amoscs
Amoscs
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In this version of Thunderbird, there doesn't appear to be a way to connect the 'Export' tab to an address file and export contacts as a CSV file ...

In this version of Thunderbird, there doesn't appear to be a way to connect the 'Export' tab to an address file and export contacts as a CSV file ...

Chosen solution

click on 'Address Book' Address book window opens. If there is no 'File', 'Edit', 'View', 'Tools', 'Help' then the 'Menu Bar' needs to be enabled.

  • Right click in the area that says 'New contact', 'New List', 'Properties' , 'Write' , 'Delete' and a popup will appear:
  • select 'Menu Bar'
  • select an address book in the left Directory Pane
  • From the 'Menu Bar' select 'Tools' > 'Export'
  • select where to save
  • give suitable file name
  • Save as type: select 'Comma Separated (*.csv)
  • Click on 'Save'
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All Replies (5)

Zenos
Zenos
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Select an address book, e.g. Personal Address Book. (You can't export the virtual All Address Books item.)

In the Menu, Tools|Export will take you to a file-picker dialogue where you choose the name and location of the file to be generated. The "save as type" drop-down at the bottom lets you choose between various types of file such as CSV, LDIF, Tab Delimited and VCF.

This is as it has been for years, apart from the new-ish All Address Books composite address book. I don't think I understand your "in this version of Thunderbird" comment. What do you think has changed?

Amoscs
Amoscs Question owner
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I am running Thunderbird 45.3.0 Under Windows 10 ... Under Windows 8.1 I was able export my address file(s) without problem as described ( I think my Thunderbird was updated after I upgraded to Windows 10) ... Now, after selecting an address file using the <Address Book> tab : 1). The Address list doesn't have a <Tools> tab ... 2). There is no file-picker dialogue displayed anywhere ... 3). The main <Tools> tab doesn't have an <Export> function, only <Import> ... 4). The <Events & Tasks> tab has an <Export> tab but nothing happens no matter how I try to interact with it ... 

I am puzzled ??? ...

Regards, Amoscs

Zenos
Zenos
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Enable the Menu in the Address Book. F10 or alt should expose it, or you may be able to get to it by right-clicking at the top to get a pop-up menu offering you checkboxes for enabling toolbars.

I think the design of Thunderbird has made a bad turn; the traditional menus have been hidden or suppressed but without a viable alternative being offered. In the main window we have the "hamburger" menu button, but this doesn't appear in some other windows. :-(

The Events & Tasks option seems to be specific to calendars, so won't help you here.

Toad-Hall
Toad-Hall
  • Top 10 Contributor
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Chosen Solution

click on 'Address Book' Address book window opens. If there is no 'File', 'Edit', 'View', 'Tools', 'Help' then the 'Menu Bar' needs to be enabled.

  • Right click in the area that says 'New contact', 'New List', 'Properties' , 'Write' , 'Delete' and a popup will appear:
  • select 'Menu Bar'
  • select an address book in the left Directory Pane
  • From the 'Menu Bar' select 'Tools' > 'Export'
  • select where to save
  • give suitable file name
  • Save as type: select 'Comma Separated (*.csv)
  • Click on 'Save'
Amoscs
Amoscs Question owner
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Thanks ... It was the hidden <Tools> menu for the Address Book that was throwing me (F10 revealed it) ... Regards, Amoscs