How to find a shared calendar in outlook

Last Updated: Feb 26, 2024 by

Are you struggling to find a shared calendar in Outlook? You’re not alone. Many users have difficulty locating and accessing shared calendars in Outlook, which can be frustrating and time-consuming.

In this article, we’ll walk you through the steps to find a shared calendar in Outlook and provide tips for troubleshooting common issues. By the end, you’ll be able to easily access and manage shared calendars in Outlook.

What is a Shared Calendar in Outlook?

A shared calendar in Outlook is a calendar that can be accessed and edited by multiple users. This is useful for teams or groups who need to coordinate schedules and events. When a calendar is shared in Outlook, it will appear in the user’s calendar list and can be viewed and edited alongside their personal calendar.

How to Share a Calendar in Outlook

Before we dive into finding a shared calendar in Outlook, let’s quickly review how to share a calendar in the first place.

  1. Open Outlook and go to the Calendar tab.
  2. Right-click on the calendar you want to share and select “Sharing Permissions”.
  3. In the pop-up window, click on the “Add” button and select the users you want to share the calendar with.
  4. Choose the level of permissions you want to grant (e.g. view only, edit, etc.).
  5. Click “Apply” and then “OK” to save the changes.

Once the calendar is shared, the users you selected will receive an email notification with a link to add the shared calendar to their Outlook.

How to Find a Shared Calendar in Outlook

Now that you know how to share a calendar in Outlook, let’s discuss how to find a shared calendar in Outlook.

Method 1: Add a Shared Calendar from an Email Invitation

If someone has shared a calendar with you via email, you can easily add it to your Outlook by following these steps:

  1. Open the email invitation and click on the “Add this calendar” link.
  2. A pop-up window will appear asking if you want to add the calendar. Click “Yes”.
  3. The shared calendar will now appear in your calendar list.

Method 2: Add a Shared Calendar from the Calendar Tab

If you know the email address of the person who shared the calendar with you, you can add it directly from the Calendar tab in Outlook.

  1. Go to the Calendar tab and click on “Open Calendar” in the top menu.
  2. Select “From Address Book” and type in the email address of the person who shared the calendar with you.
  3. Click “OK” and the shared calendar will now appear in your calendar list.

Method 3: Add a Shared Calendar from the Calendar List

If you know the name of the shared calendar, you can add it directly from your calendar list in Outlook.

  1. Go to the Calendar tab and click on “Open Calendar” in the top menu.
  2. Select “From Room List” and type in the name of the shared calendar.
  3. Click “OK” and the shared calendar will now appear in your calendar list.

Troubleshooting Common Issues with Shared Calendars in Outlook

If you’re having trouble finding a shared calendar in Outlook, here are some common issues and how to troubleshoot them.

Shared Calendar Not Showing Up

If you’ve followed the steps to add a shared calendar but it’s not showing up in your calendar list, try the following solutions:

  1. Check your email for the invitation to add the shared calendar. If you haven’t received it, ask the person who shared the calendar to resend the invitation.
  2. Make sure you’re logged into the correct email account in Outlook. If you have multiple accounts, the shared calendar may have been added to a different account.
  3. Check your spam or junk folder for the invitation email.
  4. If you’re using a shared computer, make sure the calendar is not hidden. Right-click on the calendar list and make sure the “Hide” option is not selected.

Unable to Edit a Shared Calendar

If you have permission to edit a shared calendar but are unable to make changes, try the following solutions:

  1. Make sure you’re logged into the correct email account in Outlook. If you have multiple accounts, the shared calendar may have been added to a different account.
  2. Check the permissions for the shared calendar. The owner of the calendar may have accidentally set your permissions to “view only”.
  3. If you’re using a shared computer, make sure the calendar is not read-only. Right-click on the calendar list and make sure the “Read Only” option is not selected.

Transfer Ownership of a Shared Calendar

If you’re the owner of a shared calendar and want to transfer ownership to someone else, follow these steps:

  1. Open Outlook and go to the Calendar tab.
  2. Right-click on the calendar you want to transfer ownership of and select “Sharing Permissions”.
  3. In the pop-up window, click on the “Add” button and select the user you want to transfer ownership to.
  4. Choose the level of permissions you want to grant (e.g. edit, etc.).
  5. Click “Apply” and then “OK” to save the changes.
  6. The new owner will now receive an email notification and the calendar will be removed from your calendar list.

Conclusion

Shared calendars in Outlook are a useful tool for coordinating schedules and events with others. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily find and access shared calendars in Outlook. If you encounter any issues, refer to the troubleshooting section for solutions.

Remember to regularly check your shared calendars to stay up-to-date on any changes or events. With a little bit of practice, you’ll be a pro at managing shared calendars in no time. Happy scheduling!

Gulrukh Ch

About the Author: Gulrukh Ch

Gulrukh Chaudhary, an accomplished digital marketer and technology writer with a passion for exploring the frontiers of innovation. Armed with a Master's degree in Information Technology, Gulrukh seamlessly blends her technical prowess with her creative flair, resulting in captivating insights into the world of emerging technologies. Discover more about her on her LinkedIn profile.