I have access to multiple Calendars in Outlook. Some of them are shared Calendars from managers and colleagues.
To maintain my overview, I currently copy their content to a separate combined calendar. Obviously, this is quite error prone and cumbersome.
Is there any way to automate this process or a better way to create a single merged Calendar?
When I hear people talking about duplicating data within their own Outlook configuration, I always cringe a bit.
To Share the calendar, you can then: Open Outlook and to the left of the screen click Calendar; Right-click on your new calendar Select Share and then Calendar Permissions; Click on the Add button Select the user that you would like to view your new calendar Click on the Add -> button and then click on OK.
Usually, there is a much better way to do this but often the option to do so isn’t easily discoverable or you might not have been aware that Outlook could do it in the first place.
In the Calendar, “Overlay Mode” is such a hidden gem by which you can solve the above issue with ease.
Overlay Mode and Side-by-Side Calendars
Overlay Mode was first introduced in Outlook 2007 after Outlook 2003 introduced Side-by-Side Calendars.
Side-by-Side Calendars is the feature which lets you select multiple Calendars when you are in the Calendar Navigation (CTRL+2) simply by clicking the checkbox in front of the Calendar.
![How How](/uploads/1/2/5/6/125689450/996277253.jpg)
Overlay Mode is the feature where you can actually place these Calendar “on top of each other” to create a aggregated view which looks like a single Calendar.
You can find the feature in the following location:
- Outlook 2007
View-> View in Overlay Mode - Outlook 2010, Outlook 2013 and Outlook 2016
tab View-> option group: Arrangement-> button: Overlay
Another way to do this would be to press the arrow icon tab is shown at the top of each Calendar tab (next to the name). This allows you to combine some Calendars and to view others side-by-side.
The arrow buttons on the tabs allow you to combine the selected Calendars.
With the Overlay Mode feature, you can turn multiple Calendars into one.
(click on image to enlarge)
Sync Calendars anyway
In some case, creating a single combined Calendar folder might still be best. Especially when it comes to exporting and publishing scenarios.
To automate this, there are several add-ins available. CodeTwo offers various add-ins for this, each optimized for a specific scenario or environment:
- CodeTwo Folder Sync (free)
With this add-in you can create a folder pair which will have a 2-way sync, meaning that the contents of the folders will always be the same. - CodeTwo Exchange Sync
Exchange level application with full control about how the syncing between folders is taking place. This can be a 1-way sync as well which for instance allows you to create aggregated group calendars where the content can be tagged and filtered during the sync process. - Code Two Sync for iCloud (free)
This add-in is specifically created for iCloud users. Rather than having your Calendar, Contacts and Tasks stored in the special iCloud folder separate from the rest of your folders, you can let them sync automatically instead.
Now you don’t have to jump between folders anymore, reminders and other Outlook features will work again while they also remain accessible to you on your iPhone and/or iPad.
![How To Share Outlook Calendar Outlook 2016 How To Share Outlook Calendar Outlook 2016](http://www.outlookipedia.com/images/outlook_group_calendar_overlayview.gif)
/ Friday, May 13 2016 / Published in Latest, Microsoft, Office 2016, Outlook 2016
Open a Group Calendar in Outlook 2016: Overview
This lesson will show you how to open a Group calendar in Outlook 2016 if you are a member of a group. The first time you visit a group, a “Welcome to the group name group” (where group name is the name of your Group) email will be in the Inbox and viewable in the Reading pane. The email contains links to “Start a conversation,” “View group files” and “Use the calendar.”
Clicking the “Use the calendar” link in the welcome email will open the Group calendar in a standalone Outlook window. Alternatively, you can click the “Calendar” button in the “Group Name” (where Group Name is the name of your Group) group in the “Home” tab in the Ribbon to open a Group calendar in Outlook 2016.
This calendar will function just as a regular calendar in Outlook does. However, you will also see any appointments, events or meetings other Group members have entered. All of your Groups will be listed on the left side of the screen under “Favorite Group Calendars,” then “All Group Calendars.”
Open a Group Calendar in Outlook 2016 – Tutorial: A picture of a Group calendar opened in Outlook 2016.
Open a Group Calendar in Outlook 2016: Instructions
- To open a Group calendar in Outlook 2016, click the “Calendar” button in the button group with the Group name in the “Home” tab.
- The group calendar will open in a new window and will function as a normal calendar.
- In addition, you will see any appointments, events or meetings other Group members have entered.
Open a Group Calendar in Outlook 2016: Video Lesson
The following video lesson, titled “Accessing the Group Calendar,” shows you how to open a Group calendar in Outlook 2016. This video lesson is from our complete Outlook 2016 training, titled “Mastering Outlook Made Easy v.2016-2013.”