Since NSF is the proprietary database format of Lotus Notes, no other application supports it. Thus, NSF files are inaccessible in Apple Mail. On the other hand, we have Mac Mail. Apple Mail or Mac Mail is an email client that is included in the OS X operating system and is very common among Mac users. HCL Notes (formerly IBM Notes and Lotus Notes; see Branding below) and HCL Domino (formerly IBM Domino and Lotus Domino) are the client and server, respectively, of a collaborative client-server software platform formerly sold by IBM, now by HCL Technologies. HCL Notes provides business collaboration functions, such as email, calendars, to-do lists, contact management, discussion forums.
NSF is a file format used by Lotus Notes now known as IBM Notes, is an email client still used by many users. The NSF files cannot be opened in Outlook directly, but there are ways with the help of which you can view the NSF file data in Outlook. There are manual and automated ways which can let you open NSF files without any trouble. Before moving towards the ways to open NSF files, let’s know the reasons why you want to open NSF files in a different platform.
Reasons to Open NSF Files Without IBM Notes
- Due to higher cost
- It requires a lot of RAM to store NSF mailboxes
- Due to the poor server support
- Due to the segmented file structure and large database size, the backups are slow
How to Open NSF files in Outlook
Outlook is the most popular emailing platform, easy to operate and accessible to all. Most importantly when you have it installed on your system and want to open NSF file in Outlook, you can actually do this!
Instant Solution
Download automated tool Kernel NSF Viewer to open and view NSF file without using IBM Lotus Notes.
How to do it Manually?
To open any NSF file in Outlook, you need to first convert it into the Outlook compatible format, which is PST file. So, to convert NSF file to PST file, you need to perform the export and import process. For this process, the Lotus Notes is required required to be installed in your system to export the files and then with the help of Import/Export feature in Outlook, you can import this CSV file into it.
How to Export NSF files to CSV?
- Start IBM Notes on your system and click on Open.
- Click on File and in the menu choose Export.
- Now, select a destination for your file, after the selection from the drop down select Comma Separated Value or Structure Text.
- Give a name to your file and click on Export.
- Once the process is completed successfully, you will get either of these two; CSV or a Structured Text Export screen.
- Select the option as per your requirement and click on Ok.
So, this is how you export files from IBM Notes; now you need to import these files to Outlook.
How to Import IBM Notes Files to Outlook
Lotus Notes Mail File
- Launch the Outlook application installed on your system.
- Start with clicking on the File option.
- Click on Open & Export and select Import/Export from the options available.
- Now, select the Import from another program or file option from the list of ‘Choose an action to perform’ and click on Next.
- On the next window ‘Import a file’, select Comma Separated Values and click on Next.
- Next, you need to click on the Browse button and select the exported CSV files. In the options section, you will see three options, selected the preferred one and click on Next.
- Now select a destination for your PST file and click on Next.
- Once the process is completed, click on the Finish button.
After performing these steps successfully, you will be able to open the exported files in Outlook. This manual solution to open and view NSF files using the Export and Import feature is a long process and definitely requires the installation of IBM Notes on your system.
Read Also: Import Lotus Notes to Outlook 2019/2016/2013
How to Open and View NSF file with Kernel NSF Viewer?
If you want fewer hassles and quicker processing, then installKernel NSF Viewer Free to open, view, and convert NSF files for free. Let’s see how easy it is. Install and launch the software on your system.
- Start with clicking on Add Local NSF Files(s).
- Now select the files and click on Open.
- Now, select the file and click on Preview.
- Select the particular file item for the preview.
So, you have seen the direct 3 step process to open and view the NSF files mailbox content via Kernel NSF Viewer application.
Conclusion
Lotus Notes Desktop Client Download
Lotus Notes 9 Download
NSF is an IBM Note’s file format; there are limited applications which support NSF. If you want to open and view an NSF file in Outlook, then you can perform the above methods. Although, manual method is also a right approach, the automated method is always recommended because of its hassle-free and easy steps. The advanced software mentioned in the blog comes in a trial version which allows you to open and view NSF files, but with the full version you can convert lotus notes NSF to Outlook file and save converted files on your system.