How to import an Excel spreadsheet into Google Calendar

Step 1: convert the spreadsheet

1. Click Upload CSV or Excel above and choose your file, or copy the cells (with the heading row) and paste them into the box.
2. Check step two has found the right columns for the event name, date and times.
3. Give the calendar a name, check the preview, and click Download .ics.

Step 2: make a separate calendar (recommended)

On a computer, open Google Calendar. In the left sidebar, click + next to Other calendars, then Create new calendar. Give it a name, such as "Autumn fixtures", and click Create calendar.

Putting the events in a calendar of their own means you can hide them, share them, or delete the whole set in one go if the dates change.

Step 3: import the file

1. Click the gear icon at the top right, then Settings.
2. In the left menu, click Import & export.
3. Under Import, click Select file from your computer and choose the .ics file you downloaded.
4. In Add to calendar, pick the calendar you just made.
5. Click Import. Google tells you how many events it added.

Open the calendar and the events are there, with the right dates and times. They appear on your phone too, wherever you're signed in to the same Google account.

If something looks wrong

• Times are an hour out. Check the time zone in step two of the converter matches where the events happen, then convert and import again.
• Some rows are missing. The converter's preview lists any rows it skipped and why, usually a date it couldn't read. Fix those cells and convert again.
• Everything is on the wrong days. Your dates are probably month-first. Change Dates are written to month first in step two.

Updating the dates later

Importing the same file twice can create duplicates. When dates change, delete the separate calendar (Settings › the calendar's name › Remove calendar › Delete), make a fresh one and import the new file.