Google Calendar link to Outlook

Step 1: Copy your Google Calendar's link

Google's help calls this getting your calendar "view only" in another app:

1. On a computer, open Google Calendar.
2. At the top right, click Settings.
3. On the left, under Settings for my calendars, click the calendar you want.
4. Click Integrate calendar.
5. In the Secret address in iCal format section, copy the link.

Google is clear that only you should know this address. Anyone who has it can see your events. If you share it by mistake, click Reset on the same page, which stops the old address working.

If you use Google through work or school, your admin may have turned this off. Google says to ask them if you can't find the secret address.

Step 2: Subscribe to it in Outlook

Microsoft's steps for Outlook.com:

1. Sign in to Outlook.com and select Calendar.
2. Click Add calendar.
3. Select Subscribe from web.
4. Paste the secret address.
5. Select Import.

Your Google calendar appears next to your Outlook calendars. When you change an event in Google, Outlook picks up the change later. Microsoft says updates should happen roughly every 3 hours but can take more than 24.

Subscribe, don't upload

Outlook also offers Upload from file, which imports an .ics file. Microsoft explains the difference: an imported file is a snapshot and never refreshes, even if the calendar's owner changes it. A subscription stays connected and updates. To keep Google and Outlook in step, always subscribe to the link.

The other way: Outlook calendar in Google

First publish the Outlook calendar. In Outlook on the web, Microsoft's steps are:

1. In Calendar, select Settings.
2. Select Shared calendars.
3. Under Publish a calendar, choose the calendar and how much detail people can see.
4. Select Publish, then copy the ICS link.

Then add it to Google Calendar:

1. On a computer, open Google Calendar.
2. On the left, next to Other calendars, click Add other calendars, then From URL.
3. Paste the ICS link and click Add calendar.

Microsoft notes that published HTML and ICS calendars are read-only, and that how often an ICS calendar syncs depends on the provider showing it.

When you need two-way editing

A link gives a read-only view. Google's help describes a second route for apps that support it: add your Google Account in the other app's settings with Sign in with Google, and you can add and edit events from either side. Whether that's available depends on the version of Outlook you use.

Sending one event instead of a whole calendar

If you only want someone on Outlook to save one meeting, they don't need your calendar. Send them an event link instead. Fill in the event below and copy the Outlook.com or Office 365 link, or download the .ics file, which Outlook on the desktop opens.

Microsoft doesn't publish the format of these "add event" links, so test the link in Outlook before you send it widely. The .ics file follows the iCalendar standard and is the safer fallback.

If it still doesn't work

• Nothing shows up. Check you copied the secret address in iCal format, not the public address, which only works for public calendars.
• Old events, no new ones. You may have uploaded a file rather than subscribed. Remove it and subscribe to the link.
• It stopped working. The secret address may have been reset. Copy the new one and subscribe again.

For sharing your Outlook calendar with a link, see Outlook calendar link. To share a Google calendar with people rather than apps, see how to share a Google Calendar link.