How to use Google Calendar in Outlook

Filed under: Internet, Windows, Windows Mobile, Web services, Google

How to use Google Calendar in Outlook

by Brad Linder Nov 16th 2006

While there are several methods for syncing Google Calendar with Outlook or a Windows Mobile device, they tend to involve adding new software to the mix. Download Squad reader Dan sent us a nice tip for anyone who's not looking to synchronize calendars, but simply wants to use Google Calendar within Outlook.

All you have to do is right-click on the calendar tab in Outlook, click on Properties, and then go to the Home Page Tab. Check the button that says "Show home page by default for this folder," and then enter http://www.google.com/calendar. That's it. Now when you click the calendar tab in Outlook you'll see Google Calendar, and you can update it through Outlook or through any web browser when you're on the go. However, this method won't let you synchronize your calendar with a PDA--all it really does it replace Outlook's Calendar with a web page. If you uncheck this option, Outlook will revert back to its grayscale calendar and all your old appointments will show up again.

Tags: google calendar, GoogleCalendar, outlook, sync, syncrhonize

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

random_guy said 5:18PM on 11-16-2006

I would suggest you go get RemoteCalenders instead. http://remotecalendars.sourceforge.net/. A detailed walkthrough of installing it can be seen here: http://www.grinn.net/blog/dev/2006/04/incorporate-google-calendar-into.html

Dan said 7:27PM on 11-16-2006

I did try RemoteCalendars, but didn't particularly like how it worked. When syncing, I've had it lock up Outlook several times. I have no need for PDA synchronization, so this solution is perfect for me.

FreddyM said 7:27PM on 11-16-2006

Worst hack ever!

Ashish Bogawat said 9:33PM on 11-16-2006

This is neat! Probably what I need to convince my colleagues to start using Google Calendar. I've been using GCal for a while now, but getting the rest of the guys in the office to have a browser window open all the time to access their calendar was a drag. Maybe this will help.

Rutger said 3:40AM on 11-17-2006

I set up this website http://www.calendarreview.com because syncing calendars drove me nuts. Lot of useful tips and tools

Regards,

Rutger

Jim said 7:05AM on 11-17-2006

This isn't even a "hack" - it's been a published feature of Outlook since Outlook 98.

You also don't have to give up your Outlook calendar if you don't want to. Just create a new folder called "Google Calendar" or "Gmail Calendar" or whatever you like, then right-click it and follow the instructions above. I use this "hack" to check my Gmail and Postmaster accounts from within Outlook on a daily basis.

Also, this "hack" is stored on the Exchange server (if you use one), so it'll follow you from PC to PC. It'll also be saved in your PST if you use one.

Sanjay Goel said 7:05AM on 11-17-2006

Will this keep an offline version of google calendar on my PST?

Jim said 5:13PM on 11-17-2006

No, all it does it use Internet Explorer to render a webpage within Outlook.

What I meant was that Outlook will keep the settings for this folder in a PST or on the Exchange box, so if you had to restore the PST from a backup or used a new PC in an Exchange environment you don't need to set everything up again - the "Google Calendar" folder will still be there, and it'll connect to Google when you click on it.

Marco montalvo said 7:35AM on 11-20-2006

please free,

Roster said 7:59AM on 11-23-2006

Forget everything.... use zyb! Import your GCal to www.zyb.com and then simply sync it with your phone. http://jkontherun.blogs.com/jkontherun/2006/11/zyb_adds_google.html

Vaibhav said 8:17AM on 12-23-2006

Another option is SyncMyCal at http://www.syncmycal.com. It is better than anything I have come across, and I even know the guys who built it.

Cheers.

Vaibhav said 2:34PM on 12-30-2006

SyncMyCal (http://www.syncmycal.com) now has a blog at http://syncmycal.blogspot.com. They just announced new upcoming features.

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