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How to import an Excel spreadsheet into Outlook calendar

Outlook can import a CSV, but only if you map every column to an Outlook field by hand. It is quicker to convert the spreadsheet to a calendar file on this page and import that. It works in Outlook on the web, the new Outlook, classic Outlook and Microsoft 365.

Open the converter Jump to the steps

01 Your dates

or try an example:

Your spreadsheet stays on this device. Nothing is uploaded to us.

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: import into Outlook on the web or the new Outlook

This is the same in Outlook on the web, Outlook.com and the new Outlook for Windows.

  1. Open Calendar.
  2. In the left pane, click Add calendar.
  3. Choose Upload from file, then Browse and pick the .ics file.
  4. Choose which calendar the events go into, then click Import.

The events sync to Outlook on your phone and other computers within a few minutes.

Or: import into classic Outlook for Windows

  1. Click File, then Open & Export, then Import/Export.
  2. Choose Import an iCalendar (.ics) or vCalendar file (.vcs) and click Next.
  3. Find the .ics file and click OK.
  4. Choose Import to add the events to your calendar, or Open as New to keep them in a calendar of their own.

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. 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.

Sharing the dates with a team

Send the .ics file by email and each person imports it the same way. If everyone uses Microsoft 365, you can also import into a shared calendar and share that calendar from Outlook, so updates reach everyone at once.

Sources and further reading

We check our guides against these pages. Menus in Google, Microsoft and Apple apps change from time to time; if a step no longer matches, let us know.

Questions

Will the events show in Microsoft Teams?
Teams shows your main Outlook calendar. Import into your main calendar, rather than a separate one, if you want the events to appear in Teams.
Can I import on my phone?
The Outlook mobile app can't import files. Import on the web or on a computer, and the events sync to the app.
What is the difference between Import and Open as New in classic Outlook?
Import adds the events to your existing calendar. Open as New creates a separate calendar holding just these events, which is easier to remove later.
How do I undo an import?
If you imported into a separate calendar, delete that calendar. If you imported into your main calendar, you will need to delete the events one by one, so a separate calendar is safer the first time.