Problem: .pst file for Outlook but MacOS thinks it is Logic Pro file!

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Level 1

4 points

Problem: .pst file for Outlook but MacOS thinks it is Logic Pro file!

It seems Logic Pro uses a file format with .pst extension but that is the same extension used for Outlook email archive files!

I have an Outlook .pst file that when downloaded into MacOS, is automatically assigned under file kind as Logic Pro file, and I can’t even import it into Outlook as a result!! Why would Apple give a .pst extension name to Logic Pro files knowing that Outlook uses the same exact extension? Is there a way to get MacOS to change how it views the file and not automatically assign it under Logic Pro files knowing kind?

MacBook Pro 14″, macOS 14.6

Posted on Apr 28, 2025 09:58 PM

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Answer 1

MartinR

Level 7

23,511 points

Apr 29, 2025 07:34 AM in response to R93Radio

You should be able to import the .pst into Outlook.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/import-a-pst-file-into-outlook-for-mac-from-outlook-for-windows-b4a6a1d6-94bb-4c85-a4fc-a83dc690e18c

What problem or error do you get when you try to import the .pst? Are you certain the .pst is not corrupted?

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Answer 2

R93Radio Author

Level 1

4 points

Apr 29, 2025 07:42 AM in response to MartinR

The .pst file doesn’t even show or register in MacOS when I try to select it for import. Again, MacOS seems to assign it to Logic Pro (because, incomprehensibly, Apple picked same file extension name of .pst)! 😂🤣

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Answer 3

R93Radio Author

Level 1

4 points

Apr 29, 2025 07:47 AM in response to R93Radio

Also, I tried the ‘open with’ option, selecting Outlook. That didn’t work. These types of files, .pst files, have to be imported from within Outlook and can’t just be opened like a regular file.

Within Outlook, when I try to search for the .pst file to import, it doesn’t show up because Outlook follows the Finder assignment of the file as a Logic Pro file. 😂🤣🤷‍♂️

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Answer 4

MartinR

Level 7

23,511 points

Apr 29, 2025 09:59 AM in response to R93Radio

R93Radio wrote:

Within Outlook, when I try to search for the .pst file to import, it doesn’t show up because Outlook follows the Finder assignment of the file as a Logic Pro file.

Actually, I don't think that's what's going on. The .pst is just a data file. The association of a file type (for example, .pst) to an application (for example Logic Pro or Outlook) in the Finder is mainly a convention that affects what app opens when you double-click the data file in the Finder.

You could try reassigning .pst files to Outlook. In the Finder, do GetInfo (CMD-I) on the .pst file. In the GetInfo window change the "Open With" app to Outlook.

But what version of Outlook are you using on your Mac? And what version of Outlook created the .pst? Was it a Windows version of Outlook? Outlook for Mac did not have the ability to import .pst files for a very long time. Even in 2023 it was still a beta feature. And only in the Legacy Outlook client. If you have the current version of Outlook 365 (16.89 or later), check to see if there is an option to revert to Legacy Outlook. But be aware that there are side effects of doing this, most notably that accounts added in the new Outlook for Mac will not automatically be added to Legacy Outlook, and vice versa.

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