How to Use Google Calendar

Last Updated: March 11, 2020 Approved

Google Calendar makes it easy to manage all your significant events in one place. Because Google Calendar is connected to your Google account, all of your events and settings will be available anywhere you sign in—whether you're using a computer, phone, or tablet. This wikiHow teaches you the basics of setting up your Google Calendar, including navigation tips, managing events, and importing information from other calendars.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Setting up Google Calendar

1
Open Google Calendar. One of the best things about Google Calendar is that you can use it on nearly any device. If you're using a computer, visit https://calendar.google.com in any web browser. On a phone or tablet, tap the blue-and-white calendar icon labeled "Google Calendar" (iPhone/iPad) or just "Calendar" (Android).
- If Google Calendar isn't on your Android, download it from the Play Store.
- If you're using an iPhone or iPad, you can download Google Calendar from the App Store.
2
Log in with your Google account. If you're already signed in, your calendar will appear. Otherwise, you'll be prompted to sign in now.
- If you use Google Calendar on the web or elsewhere, signing in with the same Google account now will automatically sync any existing calendar events.^{[1]
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- Visit https://accounts.google.com/signup to create a Google account if you don't already have one.
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3
Customize your calendar's look and feel. To open your settings, click the gear icon at the top-right corner (on a computer) or tap the three-line menu at the top-left corner (phone or tablet), and then select Settings.^{[2]
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- Tap General on your phone or tablet to change the starting day of the week, time zone, default event settings, and more.
- If you're using a computer, Settings opens to the General tab, on which you can adjust your language, time zone, default event settings, and starting day of the week. Use the menu on the left to see additional settings.
- When using Google Calendar on a computer, you can customize some color and size options by selecting Density and color from the Settings menu.
4
Choose which dates to see. Your calendar will open to the current day, week, or month, depending on your settings. Here's how you can switch the view as needed:
- Mobile: Tap the three-line menu at the top-left corner, then select Day, 3 Day, Week, Month, or a different option to switch the view.
- Computer: Click the drop-down menu at the top-right corner (it should say Month by default) and select Day, Week, 7 days, or a different option.
5
Use the arrows or swipe to move forward and backward. For example, if you're looking at Month view and you want to see what's going on next month, click the right-pointing arrow above the calendar (computer) or swipe left to the next month (mobile). If you're using day or week view, this will work the same—you'll just go back or forward to the next day or week.
6
Subscribe to another Google Calendar. In addition to viewing your own calendar events, you can see someone else's events and agenda by subscribing to their calendar. If the calendar you want to follow is public or has been shared with your Google account, follow these steps to subscribe:^{[3]
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- Go to https://calendar.google.com in a web browser (this feature is not available in the mobile app).
- Scroll down the left column and click + next to "Other calendars."
- Click Subscribe to calendar if you want to add the person by email address or by selecting them from your contact list. If you've been provided a shared calendar URL, select From URL instead.
- Find and select a Google contact or enter the shared calendar's URL.
- Click Request access when prompted if you're not already approved to add the calendar.
- Once the calendar is approved, it will appear in your calendar list anywhere you log into Google Calendar.
7
Control which calendars display by default. Google Calendar lets you manage multiple calendars within a single account, which is great for managing work appointments, personal events, holidays, and additional tasks.
- Click or tap the three-line menu at the top-left corner to expand the menu. If you're using a computer, you only have to do this if you don't already see a list of calendars in the left panel.
- Use the checkboxes next to each calendar name to make a calendar visible. If you're just getting started you'll only see a few options, including Availability, Reminders, and sometimes some holiday options.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Creating Events

1
Tap the +. The plus symbol is at the bottom-right corner of the mobile app, or the top-left corner on the web.
- You can also create an event by selecting the date on which the event will occur.
- To create an event that's similar to an existing event, you can use the Duplicate feature. Click or tap an event to open it, select the three-dot menu, then select Duplicate.
2
Select Event. The web version will default to an event, but you'll have to tap Event at the bottom of the screen on your phone or tablet.
3
Click More Options if you're using a computer. This expands additional event options.
4
Enter a title for your event. This is how the event will appear in your calendar.
5
Select a date and time. Click or tap the dates and times to make your selections. The time zone is set automatically based on your computer, phone, or tablet, but you can adjust it if necessary.
- If the event will take up an entire day (or entire set of days), select "All day" at the top.
- If the event repeats more than once, you can set a schedule. Click or tap Does not repeat (you may have to tap More options first if you're on a phone or tablet) and choose the desired schedule. Tap Custom if you need to be enter a repeat schedule that's more specific.
6
Enter a location. This is not required, but clicking or tapping Add location lets you enter an address or other location details so you can easily pull up directions in Google Maps if needed.
7
Create a notification for the event. Google Calendar will automatically send you a notification one day before the event, but you can change that if you wish. Use the menus to choose a notification time on your computer, or tap 1 day before in the mobile app to choose an alternative time.
8
Add guests. If you want others to attend this event, you can add them now or share the event with them later. To add guests now:
- Tap Add guests in the mobile app, or click Add guests on the right side of the page on a computer.
- Select or enter contacts to invite. You can also adjust guest permissions, such as whether guests can invite others or view the guest list.
9
Fill in other event details. You can enter additional information as needed:
- Enter a description into the "Description" or "Add note" field.
- Color-code the event by selecting a color from the color list.
- Add an attachment, such as a photo or document, by clicking the paperclip icon or tapping Add attachment in the app.
10
Click or tap Save. It's at the top-right corner. Your new event is now on your calendar.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Managing Events

1
Search for an event. On a phone or tablet, tap the menu at the top-left corner and select Search. On a computer, click the magnifying glass at the top. Enter the event name to search, and then click or tap it to view its details.
2
Edit an event. Click or tap an event to view its details. If you want to make any changes, click or tap the pencil icon at the top to open the event in editing mode, making your changes, and then select Save.
3
Delete an event. If you don't want an event to appear on your calendar, you can delete it easily. Click or tap the event to open it, then click the trash can or select the three-dot menu and tap Delete.
- Events that are automatically synced from other calendars cannot be deleted.
4
Import events from other calendars. If you're using another calendar on a computer that's capable of exporting events (such as Microsoft Outlook), you can incorporate them into your Google Calendar using the following steps:^{[4]
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- Open the other calendar application or website and select the Export option.
- If given the option, select CSV as the format to save the exported data (on a PC) or VCard (on a Mac).
- Open https://calendar.google.com on your computer.
- Click the gear icon and select Settings.
- Click Import & Export and select the exported file.
- Select a calendar to import to and click Import.

Community Q&A

Question

How do I save last year's birthdays to this year?

Chloe White

Community Answer

On your calendar there is an option to make an event repeat. Click on it, then you select how often you want it to happen (in your case, every year).