Import iCal into Calendar: Step-by-step Guide

If you have events and appointments that come from various sources, it can be challenging to keep them organized in one place. Fortunately, you can add an iCal feed to your calendar on different devices and platforms. In this post, we’ll go through the steps for adding an iCal feed to your calendar, as well as some related topics.

What is an iCal Feed?

An iCal feed, also known as an iCalendar feed, is a file format that allows you to share calendar events across different platforms. An iCal file can contain details such as the date, time, location, and description of an event. You can subscribe to an iCal feed to import these events into your calendar.

How to Add an iCal Feed to Your Calendar

Here are the steps for adding an iCal feed to your calendar on different devices and platforms:

For Mac:

1. Open the Calendar app on your Mac.

2. Choose File > New Calendar Subscription.

3. Enter the calendar’s web address, then click Subscribe.

4. Click the Auto-refresh pop-up menu, then choose how often to update the calendar.

For iPhone:

1. Go to Settings > Passwords & Accounts > Add Account > Other.

2. Tap Add Subscribed Calendar.

3. Enter the calendar’s web address to subscribe to and any other required server information.

For Google Calendar (on Web):

1. On your computer, open Google Calendar.

2. On the left, next to "Other calendars," click Add From URL.

3. Enter the calendar’s web address in the field provided.

4. Click Add calendar.

5. Copy the iCal feed address.

For Android:

1. Follow the instructions for Google Calendar, from a computer.

2. On your phone, open the Google Calendar app.

3. Open the menu, and then go to Settings.

4. Scroll to the calendar email where you added the new iCal feed.

5. Tap on Show more.

6. Tap on your new calendar's name.

7. Switch the Sync option on.

8. You may also change your notifications for this calendar on this screen.

For Outlook.com:

1. Sign in to Outlook.com.

2. At the bottom of the page, select the calendar icon.

3. In the navigation pane, select Import calendar.

4. Under Import calendar, select From the web.

5. Under Link to the calendar, copy the calendar's web address.

6. Select Import.

Importing iCal Files

In addition to subscribing to an iCal feed, you can also import an iCal file into your calendar. Here are the steps:

For Apple Calendar:

1. Select File > Import.

2. Select the iCal file you want to import.

3. Click Import.

For Google Calendar:

1. Open Google Calendar.

2. On the left side of the page, click the plus sign next to "Add a coworker’s calendar."

3. Select Import.

4. Select the file you want to import.

5. Click Import.

Creating a New Calendar

You can also create a new calendar to organize your events and appointments. Here’s how:

For Google Calendar:

1. On the left side of the page, click the plus sign next to "Add a coworker’s calendar."

2. Select Create new calendar.

3. Enter the details for your new calendar.

4. Click Create calendar.

Exporting Your Calendar

If you want to share your calendar with others or back it up, you can export it as an iCal file. Here are the steps:

For Apple Calendar:

1. Select File > Export > Export.

2. Choose a location to save the file.

3. Click Export.

For Google Calendar:

1. Open Google Calendar.

2. Click the gear icon > Settings >

3. Click on the "Export calendars" tab.

4. Select the calendar you want to export.

5. Choose the date range and file format.

6. Click Export.

Importing Events from CSV Files

In addition to iCal files, you can also import events from CSV (Comma-Separated Values) files.

Here’s how:

For Apple Calendar:

1. Select File > Import.

2. Select the CSV file you want to import.

3. Choose the import options.

4. Click Import.

For Google Calendar:

1. Open Google Calendar.

2. Click the plus sign next to "Add a coworker’s calendar."

3. Select Import.

4. Select the CSV file you want to import.

5. Choose the import options.

6. Click Import.

Importing Events from Zip Files

If you have a lot of events to import, you can create a zip file that contains multiple iCal files. Here’s how to import events from a zip file:

For Google Calendar:

1. Open Google Calendar.

2. Click the plus sign next to "Add a coworker’s calendar."

3. Select Import.

4. Click on "Select file from your computer."

5. Select the zip file you want to import.

6. Click Import.

Conclusion

Adding an iCal feed to your calendar is a simple way to stay organized and up-to-date with your events and appointments. Whether you use Apple Calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook.com, or other calendar apps, you can follow the steps outlined in this post to add iCal feeds to your calendar. Additionally, you can import events from CSV files, zip files, and other iCal files, and even export your calendar as an iCal file. With these tips, you can manage your schedule with ease and efficiency.