While not primarily a calendar program, you can use Excel to create and manage calendars. There are a variety of calendar templates available that can be customized to your liking, which is usually quicker than formatting the calendar itself. You can also use a calendar list from an Excel spreadsheet and import it into your Outlook calendar.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Using Excel Templates
Step 1. Open a new Excel document
When you click the " File " label or the Office button and select " New ", a variety of templates from which you can choose are displayed.
- For certain versions of Excel, for example Excel 2011 for Mac, you will need to select " New from Template " from the File menu instead of " New ".
- Creating a calendar from a template allows you to create a blank calendar that can be filled with important days. This step will not convert your data to calendar format. If you want to convert an Excel data list into an Outlook calendar, see the next section.
Step 2. Look for a calendar template
Depending on the version of Office you're using, there may be a " Calendars " section, or you can simply type " calendar " into the search box. Some versions of Excel highlight several calendar templates on the main page. You can use it if it suits your needs, or you can also look for various other calendar templates available on the internet.
Search can be set to be more specific according to your needs. For example, if you want to create an academic calendar, use the keyword “academic calendar” in a search engine
Step 3. Set the template to the correct date
Once the template has finished loading, you'll see a new blank calendar. The date may not be exact, but you can usually change it using the menu that appears when selecting the date.
- This process will vary slightly depending on the template used. Usually, you can select the year or month displayed, then click the button that appears next to it. This will show you the options to choose from, and the calendar will adjust automatically.
- Usually you can also set the day that starts the week by selecting a new one and selecting it.
Step 4. Check for tips
Many templates have text boxes with edges that tell you how to change the date or other settings in the calendar template. You will need to remove this text box if you don't want it to appear in the printout.
Step 5. Adjust the visual appearance you want to change
You can customize various elements by selecting one and changing it in the Home label. You can change the font, color, size, and so on for any object in Excel.
Step 6. Enter important dates
Once the calendar is properly configured, you can start entering important dates and information. Select the cells you want to fill in the important dates and start typing. If you want to include more than one event on the same date, adjust the spacing as needed.
Method 2 of 2: Importing Excel Lists to Outlook Calendar
Step 1. Create a new blank spreadsheet in Excel
You can import data from Excel to Outlook calendar. This makes tasks like importing work schedules much easier.
Step 2. Add proper title on the spreadsheet
It's easier to import the list into Outlook if the spreadsheet is formatted with the right title. Insert the following headings into the first line:
- Subject
- Start Date
- Start Time
- End date
- End Time
- Description
- Location
Step 3. Insert each calendar entry into a new line
The " Subject " box is the name of the event as it appears on the calendar. You don't need to enter something for each box, but you will need a minimum of " Start Date " and " Subject."
- Make sure to enter the date according to the standard format N/Y/MM/MM/MM/Y/Y so that Outlook can read it correctly.
- You can create events that span multiple days with the " Start Date " and " End Date " features.
Step 4. Open the "Save As" menu
When you're done adding events to the list, you can save a copy in a format that Outlook can read.
Step 5. Select "CSV (Comma delimited)" from the file type menu
This is a common format that can be imported into various programs, including Outlook.
Step 6. Save the file
Give the list a name and save it in CSV format. Click "Yes" when Excel asks if you want to continue.
Step 7. Open Outlook calendar
The Outlook program is built into Office, and is usually installed on your computer if you have Excel installed as well. When Outlook opens, click the " Calendar " button in the lower left corner to display the calendar.
Step 8. Click the "File" label and select "Open & Export"
You will see several options for handling Outlook data.
Step 9. Select " Import/Export " (import/export)
This option will open a new window for importing and exporting data in and out of Outlook.
Step 10. Select " Import from another program or file " and then " Comma Separated Values
" You will be asked to select the file you want to upload.
Step 11. Click " Browse " and find the CSV file created in Excel
You can usually find it in the Documents folder if you didn't change the Excel location by default.
Step 12. Make sure " Calendar " is selected as the destination folder
Usually this folder is automatically selected because you are in Calendar view in Outlook.
Step 13. Click " Finish " to import the file
Your list will be processed and important dates will be added to the Outlook calendar. You can find important dates in their proper boxes, with the times set according to the list. If this date comes with a description, you'll see it after selecting it.
