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Did you know Google Calendar allows you to add other calendars besides your own? This is a useful tool for managing appointments, events, and schedules efficiently. Adding a calendar is a straightforward process and can be done in several ways.

First, consider the simplest method: directly subscribing to a calendar using a link. If you have a link, you can paste it into the settings section of your Google Calendar. This instantly integrates the external calendar into your view. This is how you would, for example, add a sports team's schedule.

Another method involves adding a calendar from a person you know who has shared their schedule with you. If they have done so, their calendar will automatically appear in the list on the left side of your calendar interface. Make sure the calendar is marked as visible so that its events show up in your calendar.

Finally, you can also search for and subscribe to publicly available calendars. Public calendars cover a wide range of topics, from holidays to sports events. You can find them in Google Calendar's settings and select the ones you want to add. After adding them, you can then customize the settings to suit your preferences.

Expert opinions

Here's a simple, extensive explanation of how to add calendars to Google Calendar, written in the style of an expert:

By Anya Sharma, Google Calendar Specialist

Hello! I'm Anya Sharma, and I've been a dedicated user and advocate for Google Calendar for over a decade. Adding calendars to your Google Calendar account is a fundamental skill for maximizing its utility, and it's surprisingly versatile. Let's break down how to do it:

1. Adding Your Own Calendars (Creating New Calendars):

This allows you to organize different aspects of your life, such as work, personal, family, etc.

• On the Web (Desktop):

  1. Sign In: Go to calendar.google.com and sign in to your Google account.
  2. Find "Other Calendars": On the left side of the screen, locate the section titled "Other calendars." You might need to scroll down.
  3. Click the "+" Icon: Within that section, click the "+" (plus) icon.
  4. Choose "Create new calendar": From the dropdown menu, select "Create new calendar."
  5. Fill in the Details: A "Create new calendar" window will appear. Give your new calendar a name (e.g., "Work Projects," "Personal Appointments," "Family Schedule"), a brief description if you wish, and set the time zone.
  6. Create Calendar: Click the "Create calendar" button.
  7. Configure Settings (Important): After you've created your calendar, it's crucial to adjust the settings to manage permissions and visibility. Click the gear icon (settings) in the top right, then choose "Settings." Then, go to "Settings for my calendars." Then click on the new calendar you created.
     • Share with specific people: Under "Share with specific people," you can add individual email addresses and grant them various levels of access (e.g., "See only free/busy," "See all event details," "Make changes AND manage sharing").
     • Publicly available access (Be Cautious!): Under "Access permissions," consider your needs. If you want anyone to see your calendar, check the boxes in the "Access permissions for events" section. However, make sure this aligns with what you want to share.
     • Integrate your new calendar into apps: In the "Integrate calendar" area, you can copy and paste the "Calendar ID" to integrate the calendar with other calendar applications.

• On Mobile (Android & iOS):

  1. Open the Google Calendar App: Launch the Google Calendar application on your smartphone or tablet.
  2. Tap the Menu (Hamburger Icon): In the top-left corner, tap the three horizontal lines (hamburger menu) to open the menu.
  3. Scroll and Tap "Settings": Scroll down and tap "Settings."
  4. Tap "Add calendar": In the "General" or "Calendars" section (depending on the app version), tap "Add calendar".
  5. Tap "Create new calendar": If you're not already signed in, you'll need to do so.
  6. Name your calendar: Provide a name and add other preferences, then create the calendar.

2. Subscribing to Other Calendars (Importing Calendars):

This is how you add calendars created by others, such as:

• Public Calendars (e.g., Holidays, Sports Teams):

  • Finding the URL or ID: You'll need the URL or ID of the calendar you wish to subscribe to. Some calendars have a URL directly available. Other calendars have a "Calendar ID". This is unique for the particular Google Calendar.
  • On the Web (Desktop):
    1. Find "Other Calendars": On the left side of the screen, locate the section titled "Other calendars."
    2. Click the "+" Icon: Within that section, click the "+" (plus) icon.
    3. Choose "Subscribe to calendar": From the dropdown menu, select "Subscribe to calendar."
    4. Paste the URL or ID: In the "Add calendar" dialog, enter or paste the URL or ID of the calendar you want to subscribe to. If using the ID, the format is typically something like [email protected]
    5. Add Calendar: Click the "Add calendar" button. The calendar should then appear in your list. It might take a few moments for the events to populate.
  • On Mobile (Android & iOS): The mobile app doesn't directly allow subscribing via URL. You'll need to typically use the desktop or web version for this.

• Shared Calendars (Calendars other Google users have explicitly shared with you):

  • Accepting the Invitation: When someone shares a calendar with you, you'll receive an email notification. Click the "Add this calendar" or "Add to calendar" link in the email. The calendar will then appear in your Google Calendar automatically.
  • Checking Shared Calendars: Go to your calendar and ensure the box next to the calendar is ticked.

3. Importing Calendars from Files (ICS or CSV):

You can also add calendars from other calendar applications or from files downloaded.

• On the Web (Desktop):
  1. Find "Other Calendars": On the left side of the screen, locate the section titled "Other calendars."
  2. Click the "+" Icon: Within that section, click the "+" (plus) icon.
  3. Choose "Import": Select "Import" from the drop down.
  4. Choose File: Select the .ics or .csv file.
  5. Select Calendar (Important!): Choose which of your Google Calendars the imported events should be added to. Be careful here! If you have several calendars, select the one that is your best fit.
  6. Import: Click "Import" to add the events.

Tips for Success:

• Organization is Key: Use different calendars to categorize your events.
• Color-Coding: Customize the colors of your calendars for quick visual distinction.
• Permissions Matter: Carefully manage the sharing permissions for your calendars to protect your privacy.
• Syncing: Google Calendar automatically syncs across all your devices, so changes you make on one device will be reflected on all others.
• Troubleshooting:
  • If a shared calendar isn't showing up: Double-check that you've accepted the invitation, that the calendar is checked (visible) in your calendar list, and check your browser for any ad-blockers or privacy settings that may be interfering.
  • If events aren't syncing: Ensure you have a good internet connection and try clearing the cache of the app or browser. Try restarting the app.
• Explore Features: Google Calendar offers many advanced features, such as event reminders, recurring events, and the ability to integrate with other applications, so keep exploring.

By mastering these steps, you can significantly improve your time management and stay organized with the powerful features of Google Calendar. If you have specific questions or need further assistance, Google's support documentation is comprehensive, and the online community is active. I wish you productive calendar management!

Here's your FAQ on adding calendars to Google Calendar:

Q: How do I add a new calendar in Google Calendar?
A: On the left side, find "Other calendars" and click the "+" icon. Choose "Create new calendar" and follow the prompts to name and configure it.

Q: How do I subscribe to a public calendar in Google Calendar?
A: Click the "+" icon next to "Other calendars" then select "Subscribe to calendar." Enter the calendar's URL or email address and follow the instructions.

Q: Can I add a calendar from another application, like Outlook, to Google Calendar?
A: Yes, you often need to export the calendar data (usually as an iCal or .ics file) from the other application and import it into your Google Calendar. Look for the "Import" option in your Google Calendar settings.

Q: How do I share my Google Calendar with others?
A: Click the three dots next to the calendar you want to share in your calendar list, and select "Settings and sharing". You can then add people and set their permission levels (e.g., see only busy/free, see all event details, make changes).

Q: How do I find the URL of a Google Calendar to share it?
A: Go to "Settings and sharing" for your calendar and scroll down to "Integrate calendar." You'll find the "Secret address in iCal format" there, but be careful as anyone with this link can see all of your events.