A Guide to Syncing Outlook Calendar with Google Calendars: Exploring Possible Workarounds

The integration of various digital tools into our daily routine is a common occurrence in today's digital age. Among these, calendar applications such as Google Calendar and Microsoft's Outlook 365 Calendar stand out. They help us keep track of our schedules, appointments, and important dates. However, synchronizing these two platforms can sometimes prove to be a challenge.

Recently, a recurring issue has been identified where the syncing between Google Calendar and Outlook 365 Calendar stops after the initial setup. This problem, documented in a Google community thread, has left many users frustrated due to the lack of continuous synchronization. While Zapier comes to mind as a possible solution, it requires several different zaps to ensure updated events on either platform are copied over to the other, which is far from ideal. So, what are our alternatives?

Exploring Alternatives

One low-tech workaround could be to manually add your Outlook Calendar to your computer and phone's calendar app. Although this wouldn't consolidate everything into a single web app, it would guarantee sync across your devices, which might suffice if you only need to see the events yourself.

Another solution worth considering is Fruux. It's a tool designed to sync all your calendars and contacts, essentially acting as the second half of the Outlook/Gmail sync, minus the email component. It's intended to complement email-only services like Fastmail. However, its compatibility with Outlook 365 is unclear as it primarily focuses on syncing local data from the desktop version of Outlook into a web feed.

Yet another potential solution is cloudHQ. Unlike Zapier, cloudHQ focuses specifically on synchronization, claiming to sync Outlook Calendar with Google Calendar. This could be a promising avenue to explore.

Using Zapier for Syncing

If you opt to use Zapier, you'll need three separate Zaps to sync everything: one for new or updated events from Google Calendar to Outlook, one for new events from Outlook to Google Calendar, and another for updated events from Outlook to Google Calendar. While this is a feasible solution, it's admittedly a bit messy. Interested in learning more about Zapier?

An All-In-One Solution: Quantime

If the above solutions don't appeal to you, Quantime might be what you're looking for. It integrates with both Google Calendar and Outlook, allowing you to manage everything in one place. Plus, it adds a layer of automation and intelligence to your calendaring, making scheduling and time management more efficient.

Conclusion

In summary, while syncing Google Calendar with Outlook 365 Calendar can be challenging due to recent issues, there are several workarounds available. These range from low-tech solutions like manually adding your Outlook calendar to your devices, to using specialized syncing tools like Fruux or cloudHQ, or even leveraging Zapier's capabilities with a bit of extra effort. Alternatively, using an all-in-one solution like Quantime can provide a seamless integration experience.

Remember, the most suitable solution depends on your specific needs and circumstances. So, evaluate each option carefully and choose the one that best fits your requirements. And if you've found a better solution, don't hesitate to share you might just make someone's day a little easier!

Interested in learning more about some of the solutions mentioned here? We have a buyer's guide covering Google Workspace pricing and plans, as well as a buyer's guide for Zapier that will tell you everything you need to know!