Sync Outlook Contacts With Gmail

It should be a lot simpler to sync Outlook contacts with Gmail but so far the mega corporations are not exactly making this easy peasey. It is like they are punishing end users for choosing the wrong product. But it is possible to sync Outlook contacts with Gmail, you just need to do a little extra work. In order to sync Outlook contacts with Gmail, you will have to be able to:

• Follow directions
• Download software

1. Export. To sync Outlook contacts with Google's Gmail, you will need to export your Outlook contacts to your hard drive. In Outlook, go to 'File' and choose 'Import and Export'. Choose 'Export to a file'.
2. Next. Ignore the options and click 'Next'. It really doesn't matter and has little to do with Gmail. When prompted, cruise to your Contacts folder. Now choose a place to export the file. Before you save it, change the extension to .csv because Gmail not only demands this, it won't recognize anything else.
3. Gmail. Now in order to sync your Outlook contacts you must log into Gmail. Click your 'Contacts', choose 'Import'. Find your Outlook contacts export and select it. This is hardly a seamless process so expect some errors, missed contacts and duplicates.
4. Software. Many minds have searched for easier ways to sync Outlook contacts with your Gmail account. There is some freeware out there to make life simpler plus the freeware tends to work around the little wrenches Microsoft or Google might chuck into the mix. If you are having difficulty with the above method then look into free software like 'Contacts Sync' or 'OGG Sync'.