Technology

Adding Events to Your Calendar

Last modified 7/30/2024

Events are sometimes distributed as .ICS files, which you can easily add to your calendar in Outlook.

Before You Begin

Event organizers will sometimes provide .ICS files along with event details. Using .ICS files, you can add event details to your calendar in Outlook instead of manually creating the event on your calendar.  These files are sometimes sent as email attachments and are available on some websites, like the Illinois State University Events Calendar.

Adding .ICS Files to your Calendars

  • Add .ICS File to Your Calendar in Outlook

To add event information to your calendar in Outlook using .ICS files, do the following:

  1. Locate the .ICS file which has been provided to you. 
  2. Open the .ICS file.
    • If the .ICS file was sent to you as an email attachment, you might be able to double-click the file to open it. Otherwise, you may need to save the file to your computer before you can open it.
    • If the .ICS file is available on a website, you may be able to click the link to open the .ICS file directly. Otherwise, you may need to download the file to your computer before you can open it.
  3. When you open the .ICS file, it will cause Outlook to open automatically. The event itself will open in a separate window.
  4. Click Save & Close on the event window to save the event to your calendar.

The event has now been added to your calendar.

  • Add .ICS File to Your Calendar in the Browser Version of Outlook

There are two ways to add files to your calendar from .ICS files in the browser version of Outlook.

To add event information to your calendar in Outlooking using .ICS files that have been emailed to you: 

  1. Open the email with the .ICS file in it
  2. Select the down arrow to the right of the .ICS file
  3. Select Add to Calendar
  4. Select Save

The event has now been added to your calendar.

To add event information to your calendar in Outlook using .ICS files that you have downloaded: 

  1. Locate the .ICS file that you have downloaded
  2. Open your Outlook Calendar in the browser 
  3. Select the New Event button in the upper left corner 
  4. Drag the .ICS file into the new event box
  5. Select Save

The event has now been added to your calendar.

  • Add .ICS File to Your Apple Calendar

To add event information to your Apple Calendar using a .ICS file:

  1. Open the Calendar application on your computer
  2. Select File > Import from the top bar drop-down menu
  3. Locate and select the .ICS file you want to import
  4. Select Import
  5. Select the calendar you want to add the event to
  6. Select OK

The event has now been added to your Apple Calendar

  • Add .ICS File to Your Google Calendar

To add event information to your Google Calendar using a .ICS file:

  1. Open your Google Calendar in a browser
  2. Select the gear icon to the left of your profile image at the top of your calendar
  3. Select Settings
  4. Select Import & export from the left menu
  5. Select Import
  6. Choose the option Select file from your computer
  7. Find the .ICS file you want to import
  8. Select the calendar you want to import the .ICS event to in the Add to calendar drop-down menu
  9. Select Import

The event has now been added to your Google calendar


How to Get Help

Technical assistance is available through the Illinois State University Technology Support Center at:

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