How to access a shared calendar

Questions

  • How do I open a calendar someone has shared with me?
  • How do I view a colleague's Outlook calendar?
  • How do I add a shared calendar in Outlook?
  • Someone shared their calendar with me — how do I see it?
  • How do I view a department or group calendar in Outlook?
  • How do I open a shared calendar in Outlook Online?

Environment

This article applies to all current Bowdoin faculty and staff who have been granted access to a shared Outlook calendar and want to view it in their calendar client.

  • Covered: Outlook for Windows, Outlook for Mac, and Outlook Online (browser)
  • Requirement: The calendar owner must grant you access before you can view it. To request access, use the Service Catalog and search for "Request access to shared calendar."

Resolution

Outlook Online (browser)

  1. Sign in to Outlook Online at outlook.office.com.
  2. Click the Calendar icon in the left navigation bar.
  3. In the left panel, click Add calendar.
  4. In the window that opens, select Add from directory.
  5. Type the name of the person or group whose calendar you want to add and select them from the results.
  6. Click Add. The shared calendar will appear in your calendar view.

Outlook for Windows

  1. Open Outlook and click the Calendar icon in the bottom-left navigation bar.
  2. On the Home tab in the ribbon, click Add Calendar (or Open Calendar if you have an older version of Outlook), then choose Open Shared Calendar.
  3. Type the name of the person or group whose calendar you want to open, then click OK. If you are unsure of the exact name, type a partial name to bring up a list of matching calendars.
  4. The shared calendar will appear in your left panel under Other Calendars and can be toggled on or off.
Tip: The features available to you in a shared calendar depend on the permissions granted by the calendar owner. See How to manage permissions in a shared calendar in the Related Articles section if you need to adjust access levels.

Outlook for Mac

  1. Open Outlook and click the Calendar icon in the left navigation bar.
  2. From the File menu, choose Open > Shared Calendar.
  3. Begin typing the name of the calendar or person. Matching results will appear below as you type.
  4. Select the calendar you want and click Open. The shared calendar will appear in your left panel.

Additional Help

If you need further assistance, you have several options:

  • Bowdoin Bot: Chat with Bowdoin Bot directly from any KB page for instant answers.
  • Phone: Call the Bowdoin College Service Desk at (207) 725-3030.
  • In person: Visit the Tech Hub in Smith Union during business hours.
  • Submit a ticket: Request assistance through the Service Catalog.
Print Article

Related Articles (6)

Instructions for adding a holiday calendar — such as US holidays — to your Outlook calendar view in Outlook Online and Outlook for Windows.
Best practices for Bowdoin faculty and staff to minimize calendar syncing issues in Microsoft Outlook, including guidance on delegates, meeting management, and recurring appointments.
How to add, modify, or remove a delegate for your Outlook calendar in Outlook for Windows, Outlook for Mac, and Outlook Online, with an explanation of the three permission levels.
Step-by-step instructions for opening and viewing a shared Outlook calendar in Outlook for Mac (Microsoft 365), including how to toggle it on and off and remove it when no longer needed.
Step-by-step instructions for opening a shared calendar in Outlook for Windows using the Folder tab, with annotated screenshots for each step.
Step-by-step instructions for opening and viewing a shared Outlook calendar in Outlook Online (browser), including how to toggle it on and off and remove it when no longer needed.

Related Services / Offerings (1)

Request access to a shared calendar.