How to Sync Google Calendar with Outlook

The world is difficult enough as it is without us making it even more complicated. However, the entropy present in our day to day reality makes it so that the people who most like order and organization have a far more difficult time than unorganized or simply absent-minded people. Because of the large number of people who asked this question, we are going to teach you how to sync Google Calendar with Outlook.

It’s pretty ironic that people attempting to have as much organization in their lives as they will have to go through additional trials in order to do so. But with Microsoft canceling support and synchronization between Microsoft Outlook Calendar, be it 2007, 2010, 2013, and all others, and Google Calendar, it has become pretty difficult to sync Google Calendar with Outlook.
Of course, since many people use both the Google Calendar and the Microsoft Outlook Calendar, they are interested in synchronizing their different events so that they can see them all at once. And since it’s no longer achievable via official means, people have found a number of alternate options on how to sync Google Calendar with Outlook.

Sync Google Calendar with Outlook via ClickOnce Installer

As it is so often the case in the always shifting world of IT, once an official way of getting something done is canceled, third party sources which help users in that endeavor will immediately pop up. We are going to use one such piece of software to show you exactly how to sync Google Calendar with Outlook.
Plus, if you’d feel more comfortable not using any third party software, we are also going to show you a couple of ways to import some data from one calendar to another by using only official means. It won’t be a full-fledged synchronization, but it will undoubtedly help you in your organizational efforts.

1. Go to outlookgooglecalendarsync
2. Download the ClickOnce Installer by clicking on the big, purple download button
3. Wait for the download to finish
4. Run the .application installer (it works like any other installer)
5. Follow the wizard’s steps and complete the installation
6. An alert will pop up to announce you that the program is attempting to access your e-mail information
7. Check the box and select a number of minutes (more than 15)
8. Click on Allow
9. You will now notice that the program will start with the Help tab open
10. Go to the Settings tab
11. Make sure the Outlook subtab is selected on the left
12. Select the e-mail address you want synchronized (default, alternate, or exchange mail services)
13. Select your calendar from the Select Calendar drop-down list
14. Go to the Google subtab
15. Click on Retrieve Calendars
16. You will be taken to a webpage
17. Click on Accept
18. You will be taken to another webpage
19. Copy and save the code you are prompted to copy
20. Go back to the application
21. Paste the code in the field in the Authorize Google Access pop-up
22. Click on OK
23. You will now be back on the Google subtab of the application
24. Select your calendar from the Select Calendar drop-down list
25. Go to the Sync Options subtab
26. In the How subsection, select the direction of transfer (from Outlook to Google or from Google to Outlook)
27. Make sure that the Merge with existing entries and the Disable deletions boxes are checked
28. Move to the When subsection
29. Select the number of days in both the past and in the future you want to be imported
30. Select an interval at which the synchronization should be repeated
31. You can also check the Push Outlook changes immediately box to force the Outlook to Google synchronization
32. Move on to the What section
33. Check the three calendar attributes you want to synchronize
34. Go to the Application Behavior subtab
35. Customize the application’s settings
36. Click on Save
37. Go to the Sync tab
38. Scroll to the bottom of the dialog box
39. Click on the Start Sync button
40. Wait for the synchronization to finish and for the Sync finished with success! message to pop up

Now, simply close the application via the X button, and you’re done. You have successfully managed to sync Google Calendar with Outlook. While it may seem very complicated, and while third party apps may deter some from trying this method, it is perhaps the best way to sync Google Calendar with Outlook 2013, 2011, 365, or any other version. Plus, it’s perfectly legal and totally free to download.
The outlook.com method hasn’t been available since 2014, so it’s not like you could find any official support on how to get the task done. However, the app is only available for Windows. We might approach how to sync Google Calendar with Outlook for Mac users at a later date. Android and iOS might also be approached at a later date.

Alternatives to Syncing Google Calendar with Outlook

While many are still asking the question Can Google Calendar sync with Outlook? despite the option not being available for the past two years, there are unofficial ways to help you do just that. However, for those people looking for more official means, here are two operations which can be used to make your use of both the Outlook and the Google Calendars less frustrating.
Here are the official options to sync Google Calendar with Outlook.

Use an Internet Calendar Subscription

An iCal subscription is generally used to keep your Google and Outlook Calendars updated. When you start your Outlook session, it checks for any updates and downloads all necessary changes. It also periodically checks and downloads for updates on its own. It doesn’t sync Google Calendar with Outlook, but it does certainly help. Plus, it also works on your contacts.

1. Go to your Google Calendar account
2. Sign in
3. Go to the left column
4. Click on the My Calendars drop-down list
5. Click on the calendar you want to import
6. Click on Calendar settings
7. In the Private Address section, click on the ICAL button
8. Right click the web address which pops up
9. Copy the shortcut
10. Go to Outlook
11. Click on File
12. Go to Account Settings
13. Go to the Internet Calendars tab
14. Click on New
15. Paste the address in the field
16. Click on Add
17. Type the name you want your calendar to have in the Folder Name box
18. Click OK

Import a Calendar from Google

In case you want a little more information imported, you can go for this option instead. In my experience, I would much rather use the third party software option, but that’s not my place to say. Here is how to sync Google Calendar with Outlook using Google Calendar’s options.

1. Go to your Google Calendar account
2. Sign in
3. Go to the left column
4. Click on the My Calendars drop-down list
5. Click on the calendar you want to import
6. Click on Calendar settings
7. In the Private Address section, click on the ICAL button
8. Click on the calendar’s web address in the Calendar Address dialog box
9. Click on the Open button to import the calendar into Outlook

You can now view both calendars in a side by side view in Outlook. It will also be added to the Navigation Pane in Calendar view. You can find this option under the Other Calendars option. It doesn’t precisely sync Google Calendar with Outlook, but it does help with the organization.

Google Calendar and Outlook Calendar are two of the most used calendar apps on the constantly updating software market. And while official synchronization has been interrupted in 2014, many people still need it. We hope we’ve managed to teach you how to sync Google Calendar with Outlook. Until next time, browse safely!
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