Skip to main content

Exporting, Importing, and Merging Calendars

BusyCal can export in .ics and .csv format, and supports importing calendars in .ics format.

Exporting​

BusyCal supports exporting calendars & events in two formats:

  • Calendar File Format (.ics) – The standard format for sharing calendar event data with others or importing into other calendar apps.
  • Spreadsheet Format (.csv) (new in v2025.1.1) – Ideal for analyzing events in spreadsheet applications like Excel, Numbers, or Google Sheets. This format provides a structured table of event details, allowing for sorting, filtering, and custom reporting.

To export a calendar in .ics format:

  1. Select the desired calendar from the left sidebar.
  2. Choose File > Export > Calendar File (.ics).
  3. Select a location and click Export.

Exporting as .csv​

To export as a .csv file:

  1. Choose File > Export > Spreadsheet (.csv).
  2. Select the calendars you want to export.
  3. Click Export to save the file.

Additional Export Options​

  • Enable "Export "My" Private Fields" to export properties that are local to this device and private to you, such as:
  • My Notes – Private notes attached to events.
  • My Tags – Custom event tags.
  • My URL – Any custom links associated with events.

Importing​

When importing a .ics file, you can use it to create a new local calendar or add it into an existing calendar.

Create a New Local Calendar​

To import a .ics file as a new local calendar, choose File > Import and select the .ics file you want to import. If the Import events into section does not appear at the bottom of the dialog, click Options to display it. Select New Calendar, and then click Import.

Create a New Server-Based Calendar​

To import a .ics file as a new calendar on a server (e.g., iCloud, Google, or Exchange), do the following:

  1. Create a new calendar on the server by choosing File > New Calendar > Server.
note

If you are importing to Google Calendar, you must log in to Google Calendar on the web and create the new calendar there. Then, in BusyCal, choose View > Refresh Calendars, and subscribe to the new calendar on Google by checking it in the left sidebar.

  1. Choose File > Import and select the .ics file you want to import. If the “Import events into” section does not appear at the bottom of the dialog, click Options to display it. Select Existing Calendar and choose the new calendar you created in step 1. The events are imported into the new calendar on the server.
Import into existing calendar

Merging Calendars​

You can merge multiple calendars into a single calendar by exporting calendar A and importing it into calendar B. Here’s how:

  1. Export calendar A by selecting it in the left sidebar and choosing File > Export > Calendar File (.ics), and save it to your desktop. Then delete calendar A from BusyCal by Control-clicking it and choosing Delete from the contextual menu.
  2. Choose File > Import and select the file you exported in step 1. If the “Import events into” section does not appear at the bottom of the dialog, click Options to display it. Select Existing Calendar and choose calendar B. The events from calendar A are added to calendar B.
tip

After merging the calendars, you can remove any duplicate events by choosing Help > Find Duplicates.

Last updated on