Applies To: Outlook 2016, Outlook 2013, Outlook 2010, Outlook 2007

You can share calendar information with other people by using Outlook in several ways. You can choose the method that is best for you, depending on the type of servers that you and your recipients have access to. When a colleague at another company wants to schedule a meeting with you and they can’t see your Outlook calendar, you can send a snapshot of your calendar or, better yet, an invitation to subscribe to your calendar in an email message.

Calendar sharing is not limited to the default Calendar folder that is created in all Outlook profiles. You can create additional calendar folders and choose which of those folders to share. For example, you can create a calendar folder for a specific project and share it with your co-workers. Optionally, you can grant them permission to modify the events and appointments in the calendar.

  1. Click Calendar.

    Calendar command

  2. Click Home > E-mail Calendar.

    On the Home tab, click E-mail Calendar

  3. In the Calendar and Date Range boxes, pick the calendar and time period you want to share. For example, choose Today only or for the Next 7 days.

    In the Calendar and Date Range boxes, pick the options you want

  4. Set any other options you want, and then click OK.

  5. In the new email that opens, add who you want the message to go to in the To field, add a message if you want, and click Send.

The person you sent your calendar to will see a snapshot of your calendar in the message.

Example of a calendar shared in an email

The message also includes an attached iCalendar (.ics) file that they can open in Outlook or another calendar program. When the recipient clicks the iCalendar file, Outlook displays the file as a new calendar that they can view side-by-side with their calendar. They can drag appointments or meetings between the two calendars, and find a time that works for both of you.

Share your Office 365 or other Exchange-based calendar with people inside or outside your organization

If you have an Office 365 or other Microsoft Exchange-based email account, and you want to share your calendar with someone who is inside or outside your organization, you can give them permissions to view your calendar.

Share your calendar with people inside your organization

  1. Click Calendar.

    Calendar command

  2. Click Home > Share Calendar.

    Share Calendar button in Outlook 2013 Home tab

  3. In the email that opens, type the name of the person in your organization that you want to share your calendar with in the To box. In Details, specify the level of details that you want to share with the person in your organization, and then click Send.

    Invitation to share mailbox email internally - To box and Details setting

  4. The person in your organization receives the sharing invitation in email, and then clicks Open this calendar.

    Open this Calendar button on a received calendar sharing invitation

The shared calendar displays in the person’s Calendar list.

Share your calendar with people outside your organization

  1. Click Calendar.

    Calendar command

  2. Click Home > Share Calendar.

    Share Calendar button in Outlook 2013 Home tab

  3. In the email that opens, type the email address for the person outside of your organization that you want to share your calendar with in the To box. In Details, specify the level of details that you want to share with the person outside of your organization, and then click Send.

    Invitation to share mailbox email externally - To box and Details setting

    If the following error displays when you try to send your sharing invitation, you have tried to share more details than is supported by the settings in your organization. If this occurs, under Details, choose to share a different level of details. Only an admin in your organization can change the sharing policy settings for your organization. For more information, see the end of this section.

    Error message - Policy does not allow granting permissions

  4. The person in your organization receives the sharing invitation in email, and then clicks Open this calendar.

    Open this Calendar button on a received calendar sharing invitation

  5. The shared calendar displays in the person’s Calendar list.

If you receive an error when you try to share more details that are supported by the sharing policy settings in your organization, contact the person that manages your email account.

Change permissions after you have shared your calendar with other people

You can change calendar sharing permissions.

  1. Click Calendar.

    Calendar command

  2. Click Home > Calendar Permissions.

    Calendar Permissions button in Outlook 2013 Home tab

  3. On the Permissions tab, make any changes to the calendar sharing permissions.

    Calendar Sharing Permissions tab in Outlook 2013

  4. Click OK.

Share calendars by email

Calendars shared by email arrive in the recipient’s Inbox as email message attachments, with a Calendar Snapshot in the message body. You can edit the Calendar Snapshot before sending. For example, you can change fonts or highlight days or appointments.

To send a calendar by email:

  1. On the Home tab, in the Share group, click E-mail Calendar.

  2. In the Calendar box, click the calendar that you want to send.

  3. In the Date Range box, click the time period that you want the calendar to show.

  4. Enter or select any other options that you want, and then click OK.

An Outlook 2010 user who receives the Calendar by email can choose to open the Calendar Snapshot in Outlook. Doing so can display the Calendar Snapshot and the recipient’s current calendar in side-by-side mode or calendar overlay mode.

Share calendars using a Microsoft Exchange Server account

Microsoft Exchange Server enables calendar sharing with others who have Exchange accounts. Your calendars can be viewed only by others to whom you have granted permissions. If the other person whose calendar you want to open has not granted you permission to view it, Outlook prompts you to ask the person for the permission that you need.

After you access a shared calendar for the first time, the calendar is added to the Shared Calendars list in the Navigation Pane, where you can access it the next time that you want to view it.

To share your calendar with another Exchange user:

  1. On the Home tab, in the Share group, click Share Calendar.

  2. In the Sharing Invitation that appears, enter the person who you want to share with in the To box.

  3. Enter or select any other options that you want, just as if you were sending an email message.

The recipient sees an email notification that you have shared your calendar. You can also request that the recipient share his or her Exchange Calendar with you.

Tip:  If you want to share a calendar that you created that is not your default Calendar, in the Navigation Pane, right-click the calendar name, and then click Share calendar name.

 

Share your calendar with other Exchange users

This feature requires you to use a Microsoft Exchange Server 2000, Exchange Server 2003, or Exchange Server 2007 account. Most home and personal accounts do not use Microsoft Exchange.  For more information about Microsoft Exchange accounts and how to determine which version of Exchange your account connects to, see the links in the See Also section.

In this section

For information on requesting access to someone else's shared calendar, see Open another person's Exchange Calendar.

Share your default Calendar folder with specific people

The default Calendar folder in Outlook is created in each Outlook profile. This folder cannot be renamed or deleted.

  • In Calendar, in the Navigation Pane, click Share My Calendar.

    Note: If you are using the Navigation Pane in Minimized view, in the Navigation Pane, click Button image , click Navigation Pane, and then click Share My Calendar.

    sending a calendar sharing message

    1. Enter the name of the person that you want to grant access to view your calendar.

    2. Type a subject for your e-mail message.

    3. Click this check box to grant the recipient permission to view your calendar.

    4. Click this check box to specify that you want to ask the recipient to share his or her calendar with you. This is optional.

  • In the To box, enter the name of the recipient for the sharing invitation message.

  • In the Subject box, type a subject for the e-mail message.

  • In addition, you can request permissions to view the recipient's default Calendar folder. To do so, select the Request permission to view recipient's Calendar check box.

    Note: If you want to request access to a calendar folder other than the default Calendar folder, you must send an e-mail message asking for permissions to that particular folder. This option requests access to the recipient's default Calendar folder only.

  • In the message body, type any information that you want to include.

  • Click Send.

  • Review the confirmation dialog box, and then, if correct, click OK.

Share your default Calendar folder with everyone

The default Calendar folder in Outlook is created in each Outlook profile. This folder cannot be renamed or deleted.

  1. In Calendar, in the Navigation Pane, right-click the default Calendar folder.

    This is usually under My Calendar, and is displayed as Calendar.

    Note: If you are using the Navigation Pane in Minimized view, in the Navigation Pane, click Button image , click Navigation Pane, right-click the calendar that you want to share, and then click Share calendar name.

    This is usually under My Calendars and is displayed as Calendar.

  2. Click Change Sharing Permissions.

  3. On the Permissions tab, in the Name box, click Default.

  4. Under Permissions, in the Permission Level list, click a permission level.

    Click here for descriptions of permission levels

    With this permission level (or role)

    You can

    Owner

    Create, read, modify, and delete all items and files, and create subfolders. As the folder owner, you can change the permission levels that other people have for the folder. (Does not apply to delegates.)

    Publishing Editor

    Create, read, modify, and delete all items and files, and create subfolders. (Does not apply to delegates.)

    Editor

    Create, read, modify, and delete all items and files.

    Publishing Author

    Create and read items and files, create subfolders, and modify and delete items and files that you create. (Does not apply to delegates.)

    Author

    Create and read items and files, and modify and delete items and files that you create.

    Contributor

    Create items and files only. The contents of the folder do not appear. (Does not apply to delegates.)

    Reviewer

    Read items and files only.

    Custom

    Perform activities defined by the folder owner. (Does not apply to delegates.)

    None

    You have no permission. You cannot open the folder.

    You can create custom permissions by selecting the appropriate check boxes and options under Permissions.

Share a custom calendar folder with specific people

The default Calendar folder in Outlook is created in each Outlook profile. This folder cannot be renamed or deleted. You can create additional calendar folders and these folders can be renamed or deleted. This section includes instructions to share calendar folders that you create.

  1. In Calendar, in the Navigation Pane, right-click the calendar folder that you want to share.

    Note: If you are using the Navigation Pane in Minimized view, in the Navigation Pane, click Button image , click Navigation Pane, right-click the calendar that you want to share, and then click Share calendar name.

  2. Click Share folder name.

  3. In the To box of the sharing invitation, enter the name of the recipient.

  4. Optionally, change the Subject.

  5. In addition, if you want to, grant permissions to the recipient to change your calendar items by selecting theRecipient can add, edit, and delete items in this Calendar check box.

  6. In the message body, type any information that you want to include.

  7. Click Send.

  8. Review the confirmation dialog box, and then, if correct, click OK.

Share a custom calendar folder with everyone

The default Calendar folder in Outlook is created in each Outlook profile. This folder cannot be renamed or deleted. You can create additional calendar folders and these folders can be renamed or deleted. This section includes instructions to share calendar folders that you create.

  1. In Calendar, in the Navigation Pane, right-click the calendar folder that you want to share.

    Note: If you are using the Navigation Pane in Minimized view, in the Navigation Pane, click Button image , click Navigation Pane, right-click the calendar that you want to share, and then click Share calendar name.

  2. Click Change Sharing Permissions.

  3. On the Permissions tab, in the Name box, click Default.

  4. Under Permissions, in the Permission Level list, click a permission level.

    Click here for descriptions of permission levels

    With this permission level (or role)

    You can

    Owner

    Create, read, modify, and delete all items and files, and create subfolders. As the folder owner, you can change the permission levels that other people have for the folder. (Does not apply to delegates.)

    Publishing Editor

    Create, read, modify, and delete all items and files, and create subfolders. (Does not apply to delegates.)

    Editor

    Create, read, modify, and delete all items and files.

    Publishing Author

    Create and read items and files, create subfolders, and modify and delete items and files that you create. (Does not apply to delegates.)

    Author

    Create and read items and files, and modify and delete items and files that you create.

    Contributor

    Create items and files only. The contents of the folder do not appear. (Does not apply to delegates.)

    Reviewer

    Read items and files only.

    Custom

    Perform activities defined by the folder owner. (Does not apply to delegates.)

    None

    You have no permission. You cannot open the folder.

    You can create custom permissions by selecting the appropriate check boxes and options under Permissions.

Revoke or change other people's access to your calendar folders

At any time, you can change or revoke someone's access permissions to your calendar folders.

  1. In Calendar, in the Navigation Pane, right-click the calendar folder for which you want to change permissions.

    Note: If you are using the Navigation Pane in Minimized view, in the Navigation Pane, click Button image , click Navigation Pane, right-click the calendar for which you want to change permissions, and then click Change Sharing Permissions.

  2. Do one of the following:

    • Revoke or change access permissions for everyone    

      1. On the Permissions tab, in the Name box, click Default.

      2. Under Permissions, in the Permission Level list, click None to revoke permissions or any of the other options to change permissions.

        Click here for descriptions of permission levels

        With this permission level (or role)

        You can

        Owner

        Create, read, modify, and delete all items and files, and create subfolders. As the folder owner, you can change the permission levels that other people have for the folder. (Does not apply to delegates.)

        Publishing Editor

        Create, read, modify, and delete all items and files, and create subfolders. (Does not apply to delegates.)

        Editor

        Create, read, modify, and delete all items and files.

        Publishing Author

        Create and read items and files, create subfolders, and modify and delete items and files that you create. (Does not apply to delegates.)

        Author

        Create and read items and files, and modify and delete items and files that you create.

        Contributor

        Create items and files only. The contents of the folder do not appear. (Does not apply to delegates.)

        Reviewer

        Read items and files only.

        Custom

        Perform activities defined by the folder owner. (Does not apply to delegates.)

        None

        You have no permission. You cannot open the folder.

        You can create custom permissions by selecting the appropriate check boxes and options under Permissions.

    • Revoke or change permissions for one person    

      1. On the Permissions tab, in the Name box, click the name of the person whose access permissions you want to change.

      2. Under Permissions, in the Permission Level list, click None to revoke permissions or any of the other options to change permissions.

        Click here for descriptions of permission levels

        With this permission level (or role)

        You can

        Owner

        Create, read, modify, and delete all items and files, and create subfolders. As the folder owner, you can change the permission levels that other people have for the folder. (Does not apply to delegates.)

        Publishing Editor

        Create, read, modify, and delete all items and files, and create subfolders. (Does not apply to delegates.)

        Editor

        Create, read, modify, and delete all items and files.

        Publishing Author

        Create and read items and files, create subfolders, and modify and delete items and files that you create. (Does not apply to delegates.)

        Author

        Create and read items and files, and modify and delete items and files that you create.

        Contributor

        Create items and files only. The contents of the folder do not appear. (Does not apply to delegates.)

        Reviewer

        Read items and files only.

        Custom

        Perform activities defined by the folder owner. (Does not apply to delegates.)

        None

        You have no permission. You cannot open the folder.

        You can create custom permissions by selecting the appropriate check boxes and options under Permissions.

      3. Repeat step 2 for each person whose access permissions you want to modify.

Share your calendar by using Delegate Access

Similar to having an assistant help you manage your incoming paper mail, you can use Microsoft Outlook to allow another person, known as a delegate, to receive and respond to meeting requests or responses and to send e-mail messages on your behalf. You can also grant additional permissions that allow your delegate to read, create, or have full control over items in your Exchange mailbox.

Delegate Access is a more advanced feature than just sharing your Outlook folders. If you want to grant additional permissions, such as allowing a delegate the ability to create e-mail messages or respond to meeting requests on your behalf, you must use Delegate Access.

Notes: 

  • As the manager, your mail must be delivered to your mailbox on the Exchange server, not to a Personal Folders file (.pst) on your computer.

  • You and the delegate must use the same version of Office Outlook.

  1. On the Tools menu, click Options, and then click the Delegates tab.

  2. Click Add.

  3. In the Type name or select from list box, enter the name of the delegate to whom you want to grant permissions.

    To add multiple delegates simultaneously, hold down CTRL and click their names in the Name list. The permissions you select will apply to all of the delegates.

  4. Click Add, click OK, and then click a type of permission for each Outlook folder to which you want the delegate to have access.

  5. If you want your delegate to see items that you have marked private, select the Delegate can see my private items check box.

Note: For additional information about Delegate Access, see the See Also section.

Share calendars with anyone

Whether you use a Microsoft Exchange, POP3, IMAP, or Windows Live Mail account, you can share calendar information with anyone who has access to e-mail or to the Internet. In this section:

Save a calendar as an iCalendar file

  1. In Calendar, select a calendar to make it the active calendar in the view.

  2. On the File menu, click Save As.

  3. Type a name for the iCalendar file in the File name text box. This should be an easy to recognize and meaningful name for you and your recipients.

    A summary of the calendar name, date range, and detail level appears next to More Options. If you are satisfied with this summary, proceed to step 8, otherwise continue with step 4.

  4. Click More Options.

  5. From the Date Range list, choose the amount of calendar data to include in the iCalendar file, or click Specify dates to enter a custom date range.

    Note: If you choose a large date range or select Whole calendar, you might create a large iCalendar file.

  6. From the Detail list, choose the amount of detail to show the recipients. By default, the Availability only option is selected. None of the options include your items marked private unless you change the privacy option in Advanced options.

  7. Optionally, click Show to see Advanced options.

    • Include details of items marked private      This option requires Detail to be set to Limited Details or Full Details. The existence of private items will be included, but no further information will be shared.

    • Include attachments within calendar items      This option requires Detail to be set to Full Details. All attachments on calendar items, such as spreadsheets, are included.

      Note: This might increase the size of the iCalendar file significantly.

  8. Click OK, and then click Save.

    If your calendar contains no items, a dialog box appears to provide you with a chance to cancel saving the iCalendar file.

Send a calendar via email.

A copy of your calendar can be sent to anyone in an email message. The calendar is included as an attachment and also appears within the message body. You decide what dates are included and the amount of detail.

  • In Calendar, in the Navigation Pane, click Send Calendar via E-mail.

Note: If you are using the Navigation Pane in Minimized view, in the Navigation Pane, click Button image , click Navigation Pane, right-click the calendar that you want to share, and then click Send Calendar via E-mail.

  • In the Calendar list, choose the calendar to send. By default, the default Calendar is chosen. This is the Outlook calendar that is used to display your free/busy information to others and where meeting requests are accepted.

  • In the Date Range list, choose the amount of calendar data to include in your message, or click Specify dates to enter a custom date range.

Note:  If you choose a large date range or select Whole calendar, you might create a large message.

  • In the Detail list, choose the amount of detail to show the recipients. By default, the Availability only option is selected. None of the options include your items marked private unless you change the privacy option in Advanced options.

     

    1. Optionally, you can restrict the information included in the message to your working hours by selecting the Only show time within my working hours check box. To change your working hours, click Set working hours.

    2. Optionally, to see advanced options, click Show.

      • Include details of items marked private    This option requires Detail to be set to Limited Details or Full Details. The existence of private items is included, but no further information is shared.

      • Include attachments within calendar items    This option requires Detail to be set to Full Details. All attachments on calendar items, such as spreadsheets, are included.

      • E-mail Layout    You can include your Daily schedule or a List of events.

    3. Click OK.

    4. In the To box, enter the name of the person to whom you want to send the subscription information.

    5. In the message body, enter any information you want to include.

    6. Click Send.

The calendar appears to the recipient within the message body. The attached iCalendar file with a file extension of .ics can also be opened in many calendar programs, including Outlook.

 

When an .ics file attachment is received in Outlook, the recipient is prompted to open the calendar. An .ics calendar file opens as a new calendar within Outlook. When opened as an Outlook calendar, the recipient can view the received calendar in side-by-side or overlay views. The recipient can also drag calendar items from the received calendar to another Outlook calendar.