This article is for our Calendar Manager module. All new client implementations are currently receiving New Calendars module. More information coming soon for those wanting to get started. Please see the following for additional updates:
- Click the orange bell icon to subscribe to our Composer/CMS Software Release Blog.
- Check out our New Calendars module section and reach out to your Client Success Manager or email clientsuccess@finalsite.com to learn more.
- Don't know which module you have? Read "New Calendars module and Calendar Manager compared."
In this Article
As you are setting up your calendars, consider these options for uploading events in bulk to make your setup process fast and efficient. After upload, manage all of your events in Calendar Manager.
Upload vs integrate
Using the Import tab to upload an .iCal file completes a static, one-time upload of events. This is sometimes confused with the process of Integrating a .ics calendar. An integration initiates a one-way dynamic sync to flow events in from another calendar source to continually appear and update in the Finalsite calendars. Choose the one that works best for you!
This article focuses on these two methods of bulk uploading events:
- datasheet event upload
- .iCal file format upload
Upload datasheet
Use a Calendar Upload Datasheet to upload all of your events with one click!
Step 1: Download template
To upload events, begin by downloading your template here. There are two types of templates: Multi-calendar and Single-calendar:
-
Single-calendar template:
Use this template when uploading events in bulk that will exist on only one calendar. -
Multi-calendar template:
Use this template when uploading events in bulk that will populate more than one calendar in Calendar Manager.
Important Note
If you use the multi-calendar template, it is necessary to send your completed datasheet to Support for upload.
Step 2: Open the template in Excel or Sheets
Open the template in your favorite spreadsheet software, such as Google Sheets or Microsoft Excel. Each row of the spreadsheet contains a specific event, while each column represents information pertaining to an event, such as date, start time, end time, and so on. Use the Instructions in the first gray column to guide your process of filling out the different colored columns.
- title: The Event Title is required for all events.
- startDate: The Start Date is required for all events.
- startTime: Specify a start time. If event is an All Day event, leave blank.
- endTime: Specify an end time. If event is an All Day event, leave blank.
- notes: Add notes such as forms links, event details, parking information.
- description: This space is another place to add event details, contact info, etc.
- location: Adding a location to an event ensures that your community knows where to show up!
- priority: The priority column allows you to distinguish certain events has having a higher priority.
- calendar name: Rename the green columns with the exact same name your Calendars are already named in Calendar Manager.
-
calendar name: Each separate calendar needs its own column, matching the name of the created calendar in Calendar Manager.
- more calendars: Add new columns for each new calendar.
Important Note
Recurring events cannot be uploaded via a datasheet.
Step 3: Rename datasheet and add your events
Rename your new datasheet
- Single-calendar template: Give a unique name for the template.
- Multi-calendar template: Give the spreadsheet a unique name, and add more tabs or worksheets for each school to be able to have multiple calendars uploaded at a time.
Add your events
Copy and paste from another spreadsheet or type your events into the correct columns described in Step 2.
Step 4: Download and save as .txt file
Important Note:
- DELETE the instructions column before downloading.
Save As a .txt file from Excel
Select File > Save As > Text (Tab delimited) .txt
Download as .tsv file from Sheets THEN save filename as .txt
from .tsv to .txt
Select Download As from the File menu, and choose Tab Separated Values (.tsv)
Go to where you saved your .tsv file and manually change the extension to .txt.
Step 5: Import datasheet(s) into Calendar Manager
- Go to Calendar Manager and click on the Import tab.
- Select the File radio button.
- Make sure the Format option is set to Tab Delimited.
- Use the Choose File button to select the spreadsheet that you saved.
- Use the dropdown menu to select which calendar you wish to update. If you want to display the events on your spreadsheet right away, select the Publish on Import checkbox. Leaving this box unchecked means you'll have to publish each event individually once uploaded.
- Click the Import Calendar Events button.
Important Note
Confirm Import: Any adjustments made to the column headers (i.e., the name of each column) require you to re-associate the columns with the new pieces of data that Calendar Manager accepts as an import before clicking Confirm Import.
Step 6: Manage events after import
Bulk Publish by month or by year on the Events tab. Read more at "Getting started in Calendar Manager."
Upload .iCal events
Export events as an .iCal file to be able to upload these same events to your calendar.
Step 1: Export .iCal file
Export by setting the format to .iCal and upload the file that was generated by your calendar management software.
Step 2: Import iCal file into Calendar Manager
- Go to the Import tab in Calendar Manager.
- Make sure iCal is selected next to Format.
- Click Choose File and select your file with the .iCal extension.
- Click Import Calendar Events to upload your .iCal events.
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