Introduction
Calendars play a huge role in our daily lives. From work meetings and personal appointments to birthdays, travel plans, and deadlines, everything depends on staying organized. But what happens when your events are scattered across different calendars, apps, or devices?
That’s where importing calendar events becomes incredibly useful.
Whether you’re moving to a new calendar app, switching devices, syncing work and personal schedules, or adding events shared by someone else, importing calendar events saves time and avoids manual entry. Instead of re-creating every event one by one, you can transfer them in just a few clicks.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to import calendar events step by step, explained in simple, human language. We’ll cover importing events into Google Calendar, common file formats, mobile and desktop methods, troubleshooting issues, and best practices to keep your calendar clean and organized.
What Does “Import Calendar Events” Mean?
Importing calendar events means adding existing events from one calendar source into another calendar. These events can come from:
-
Another calendar app
-
A shared calendar file
-
Email attachments
-
Work or school schedules
-
Backup calendar files
Instead of creating events manually, importing allows you to move or copy them instantly.
Common Calendar File Formats You’ll See
Before importing, it helps to understand common calendar file types.
1. ICS (.ics) Files
-
Most widely used format
-
Works with Google Calendar, Outlook, Apple Calendar
-
Often shared via email or downloads
2. CSV (.csv) Files
-
Spreadsheet-based format
-
Used mainly for bulk event imports
-
Requires formatting correctly
3. iCal Format
-
Apple’s calendar format
-
Similar to ICS
-
Works across most calendar apps
Knowing the file type helps avoid import errors.
Where You Can Import Calendar Events
Calendar events can be imported into:
-
Google Calendar
-
Outlook Calendar
-
Apple Calendar
-
Work or school calendars
In this guide, we’ll focus mainly on Google Calendar, since it’s the most commonly used and works across devices.
How to Import Events into Google Calendar (Desktop Method)
The desktop method is the easiest and most reliable way to import events.
Step-by-Step: Import Calendar Events into Google Calendar
-
Open Google Calendar in your browser
-
Sign in with your Google account
-
Select Settings
-
Click Import & export from the left menu
-
Click Select file from your computer
-
Choose your .ics or .csv file
-
Select the calendar you want to import events into
-
Click Import
Your events will appear instantly in the selected calendar.
How to Import Events from Another Google Calendar
If someone shared a calendar with you, importing is even simpler.
Steps
-
Open Google Calendar
-
Go to Settings
-
Select Import & export
-
Import the shared calendar file if available
Alternatively, you can subscribe to the calendar, which automatically updates events.
How to Import Calendar Events from Outlook to Google Calendar
Many users switch from Outlook to Google Calendar.
Steps to Export from Outlook
-
Open Outlook
-
Go to Calendar
-
Select File > Open & Export
-
Choose Import/Export
-
Export as .ics file
Import into Google Calendar
-
Follow the Google Calendar import steps above
-
Select the exported .ics file
All your Outlook events will now appear in Google Calendar.
How to Import Apple Calendar Events into Google Calendar
Apple Calendar also uses compatible formats.
Steps
-
Open Apple Calendar
-
Select the calendar you want to export
-
Choose Export Calendar
-
Save as .ics file
-
Import into Google Calendar
This works on both macOS and iOS backups.
How to Import Calendar Events Using CSV Files
CSV files allow bulk imports but need correct formatting.
CSV File Requirements
-
Event title
-
Start date
-
Start time
-
End date
-
End time
-
Description (optional)
-
Location (optional)
Steps to Import CSV
-
Open Google Calendar
-
Go to Import & export
-
Select your CSV file
-
Choose a destination calendar
-
Click Import
If formatting is incorrect, Google will show an error message.
How to Import Calendar Events on Mobile
Currently, Google Calendar mobile apps do not support direct imports.
What You Can Do Instead
-
Import events using desktop
-
Sync the calendar to mobile automatically
-
Use shared calendar subscriptions
Once imported on desktop, events appear on your phone instantly.
How to Import Events from Email Attachments
Sometimes events come as email attachments.
Steps
-
Download the attached .ics file
-
Open Google Calendar on desktop
-
Use Import & export
-
Upload the file
Google may also offer a “Add to calendar” option directly in Gmail.
How to Import Holiday and Public Calendars
Google offers built-in holiday calendars.
Steps
-
Open Google Calendar
-
Go to Settings
-
Click Add calendar
-
Select Browse calendars of interest
-
Choose country holidays or special calendars
These calendars auto-update and don’t require manual imports.
How to Import Shared Calendar Links (Subscribe Method)
Instead of importing files, you can subscribe to a calendar.
Steps
-
Open Google Calendar
-
Click Add calendar
-
Choose From URL
-
Paste the calendar link
-
Click Add calendar
Subscribed calendars update automatically.
What Happens After Importing Events?
After import:
-
Events appear instantly
-
Original files are no longer needed
-
Imported events behave like normal events
-
You can edit, delete, or move them
Imported events stay unless you remove them manually.
How to Fix Common Import Errors
File Format Not Supported
-
Ensure file is .ics or .csv
-
Re-export from source app
Duplicate Events
-
Avoid importing the same file twice
-
Delete duplicates manually if needed
Missing Events
-
Check date range
-
Verify file formatting
-
Confirm correct calendar selection
Best Practices for Importing Calendar Events
-
Always back up your calendar first
-
Import into a separate calendar for testing
-
Rename calendars for clarity
-
Avoid repeated imports
-
Use color coding to organize events
-
Review imported events after completion
These steps keep your calendar clean and stress-free.
Advantages of Importing Calendar Events
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| Time-saving | No manual entry |
| Accuracy | Reduces mistakes |
| Easy migration | Switch calendar apps smoothly |
| Centralized schedule | Everything in one place |
| Better planning | Clear overview of commitments |
Limitations to Be Aware Of
| Limitation | Explanation |
|---|---|
| No mobile import | Desktop required |
| CSV formatting issues | Needs correct structure |
| No undo button | Imported events must be deleted manually |
Despite these limits, importing remains extremely useful.
Who Should Import Calendar Events?
Importing calendar events is ideal for:
-
Professionals switching work tools
-
Students importing class schedules
-
Families sharing event calendars
-
Business owners managing multiple schedules
-
Anyone migrating to Google Calendar
If you manage more than one calendar, importing is a must-know skill.
Common Myths About Calendar Imports
“Importing deletes my old calendar”
False. It only adds events.
“It’s too technical”
Modern calendars make it simple.
“Imported events won’t sync”
They sync like normal events.
Conclusion (Final Thoughts)
Importing calendar events is one of the easiest ways to stay organized without extra effort. Instead of rebuilding your schedule from scratch, you can bring everything together in one place within minutes. Whether you’re switching calendar apps, syncing work and personal schedules, or adding shared events, importing keeps your life running smoothly.
Final Thoughts:
A well-organized calendar saves time, reduces stress, and improves productivity. Learning how to import calendar events gives you full control over your schedule and makes managing your day easier than ever. Once you master this simple process, you’ll never want to manually re-enter events again.