How to Download Outlook Calendar in iCalendar format? Read Guide

Opening Outlook Calendar data in iCalendar (ICS) format is a standard need for users who must import or share calendar events between applications, like receiving .ics invitations or moving data to Google Calendar or Apple Calendar. The following tutorial offers simple instructions for opening and working with your Outlook Calendar data in the universally accessible iCalendar format.

Quick Overview on iCalendar format

iCalendar, frequently stored as a.ics file, is a common file type employed for the sharing of calendar information. It allows you to share event information such as meetings, appointments, reminders, and schedules across other calendar applications. iCalendar is supported by most large calendar systems—Outlook, Google Calendar, and Apple Calendar. The format is lightweight, simple to use, and functions across devices and operating systems. Due to its broad compatibility,.ics files are the preferred option for calendar sharing and syncing globally.

Why Convert PST to ICS format?

Converting PST to ICS format comes with several great benefits:

• Cross-Platform Compatibility: ICS files are compatible with nearly all calendar applications—Google Calendar, Apple Calendar, Outlook, and many more.
• Easy Sharing: Sharing events in calendar form as ICS files allows anyone to open and add them irrespective of the application used.
• Simple Migration: Switching from Outlook to any other calendar platform is made easy when your calendar is in ICS format.
• Backup your Calendar: Saving your events as ICS files provides a secure, portable backup independent of Outlook.
• Universal Standard: ICS is the global standard format for calendar data, keeping your events organized and at your fingertips wherever you are.
• Selective Export: You can export just the date ranges or event types you need, keeping your calendar tidy and to the point.

Now that you know why converting PST to ICS is useful, let’s dive into the manual steps to export your Outlook calendar as an ICS file.

1. Export PST to ICS format- Manual Way

• Begin by opening Microsoft Outlook in your computer.
• Tap the Calendar icon in order to enter your calendar data.
• Select the particular calendar you want to export into the ICS file format.
• Navigate to the File menu and choose the save calendar option.
• Provide the file name and select the option "Save as."
• Type the destination to save the ICS file.
• Lastly, tap Save and complete the transformation of your PST calendar into the ICS file.

Limitations of Manual Approach

• This process can lead to formatting issues.
• It is slow and repetitive when converting several PST files to ICS.
• It is hard to convert orphaned PST files to ICS.
• The entire process can be long and time-consuming.
• To prevent these problems and convert multiple PST files with ease, use a specialized PST to ICS converter tool.

2. Smart Solution to Batch Convert PST to ICS format

BitRecover PST Converter Wizard is a great choice for experts looking to convert bulk PST files to ICS with ease. This wonderful software facilitates swift conversion while not sacrificing proper formatting and not indulging in prevalent errors. It enables users to save precious time and provides consistent, precise results within seconds.

Key Steps to Open Outlook Calendar in ICS format

• Install the PST to ICS Converter software and launch it.
• Use the Select Folder or Select File feature to include the PST files to be converted.
• Select the individual PST folders to be exported as iCalendar files.
• Choose ICS from the given list of supported formats as the output feature.
• Select the destination folder to save the converted ICS files and investigate any other feature of the tool.
• Lastly, click on the Convert button to start the conversion process .

Advanced Features of PST to ICS Converter

• Easy-to-use interface for simple navigation.
• It Does not alter the original folder hierarchy during conversion.
• The software supports conversion of individual PST folders to ICS format.
• It eliminates duplicate calendar entries for a clean export.
• Supports bulk conversion of multiple PST files to ICS.
• The tool can export PST files to other formats such as OLM, EML, MSG, MBOX, XPS, DOC, CSV, PDF, JPG, GIF, and more.
• It can repair invalid or damaged PST files prior to conversion for maintaining data integrity.
• It offers a trial version that enables users to convert the first 25 items within each folder to ICS and other formats.

Conclusion

Exporting your Outlook calendar to the iCalendar (ICS) format makes sharing, archiving, and transferring events effortless. Although manual export suffices for simple tasks, employing a dedicated converter tool such as BitRecover is efficient and processes bulk files without any issues. With ICS's broad compatibility, your calendar remains available across platforms.