Integrating a Google Calendar into the New Calendars module creates a one-way dynamic sync, automatically pulling events from Google into Finalsite wherever that calendar is connected via a Calendar element. Setup involves setting the Google Calendar to public, copying the .ics URL, and pasting it into a Live calendar in New Calendars.
💡Quick answers
- What is the difference between integrating and uploading a Google Calendar? Integration creates a continuous one-way dynamic sync; uploading is a one-time static import. Use integration if events will keep changing in Google Calendar.
- Setting a Google Calendar to public before connecting it? In Google Calendar Settings & Sharing > Access permissions for events, check "Make available to public" and select "See all event details."
- Which URL must be copied from Google Calendar? The Public address in iCal format ending in .ics — not the HTML link. This is the only format that creates a dynamic connection with New Calendars.
- What is the 3MB size limit for? If the Google Calendar file exceeds 3MB it will not sync successfully; try deleting old events or creating a new calendar to reduce file size.
- How often does the iCal sync update automatically? Immediately on first connection, then hourly; use the Refresh Calendar option in calendar settings to trigger a manual sync between scheduled runs.
Ready to get started with New Calendars?
We're excited to share our updated plan and timeline for transitioning to the New Calendars module. Thank you for your patience and support as we work to make this migration smooth. Although our original timeline has shifted, we're confident this revised plan will ensure a successful rollout.
- Clients interested in migrating to the new module can submit a request to their Client Success Manager or email clientsuccess@finalsite.com.
- October 2026: All clients on Calendar Manager will have access to the automated migration utility.
Learn more about New Calendars:
This article shows how to integrate your Google Calendar so that it will dynamically and regularly push events into the New Calendars module and display anywhere you have connected the particular calendars in Composer using Calendar elements.
In this article
- Integrate vs upload
- Step 1: Login to your Google Calendar
- Step 2: Create and format event details
- Step 3: Set calendar to be available to public
- Step 4: Integrate calendar to connect to Finalsite
- Step 5: Paste to connect the calendar in Calendars module
Connecting a Google Calendar into New Calendars module is a fast and efficient way to update events dynamically for your community. This way you can:
- flow events into your CMS to be displayed on any Composer page.
- insert events dynamically into the Messages module.
- push events to Mobile Apps.
Integrate vs upload
An integration initiates a one-way dynamic sync to flow events in from another calendar source to continually appear and update in New Calendars module and anywhere you have linked that calendar using a Calendar Element. However if you are interested in single bulk upload of events, check out our article, "Add events in bulk to New Calendars module."
Step 1: Login to your Google Calendar
Once you've arrived, find the list of calendars on the left. Click the vertical three dots next to the one you want to configure, and select Settings & Sharing.
Step 2: Create and format event details
Create new events at the original source of your Live calendars, e.g. in Google Calendar where the original calendar was created and is housed.
-
Add rich text formatting details to the Description field in Google Calendar to add engagement to your live calendars that will appear on your Finalsite website.
- Bold, Italic, and Underlined text
- Numbered lists and bullets
- Hyperlinked text
- Ability to clear formatting
Important Note
Images added via embed or html code into the Description field of a Google Calendar event will not display on any Finalsite calendar. Any images will have to be added via a Standard Calendar event creation process.
- This will automatically sync the event to your Finalsite Calendars module and any Calendar Element where this calendar is connected.
- Once your calendar has synced, you will see the same formatting options appear in your Finalsite calendar view.
Step 3: Set calendar to be available to public
Set your calendar to be available to the public by scrolling down to the Access permissions for events section of the settings area and clicking the box next to Make available to public. Select See all event details to ensure that event details are visible to those viewing your calendar.
Step 4: Integrate calendar to connect to Finalsite
On the same Calendar settings screen, scroll down to the Integrate calendar section. There is a Public address in iCal format box, which lets you share the calendar with other users.
Important Note
If size is larger than 3MB, the calendar will not successfully upload. Try deleting events or even creating a new calendar from scratch to meet the size limit.
- Find the gray box titled Public address in iCal format.
- Copy the URL ending in .ics. It's important to choose the correct link, the one ending in .ics. This is the only link that will create a dynamic connection between the two calendars.
Step 5: Paste to connect the calendar in Calendars module
- Open up New Calendars module.
- Create a calendar choosing Calendar Type Live or locate your already created Live calendar.
- Hover on the 3-dot menu of the Live calendar, opening up the Settings.
- On the General tab, paste the .ics URL into the field labeled Live iCal URL.
Now, events from Google will automatically populate the calendar. As new events are added to the Google Calendar, they'll be pulled into the Finalsite calendar, as well.
The fields that are synced between Google and Finalsite are:
- Start Date / Start Time
- End date / End time
- Title
- Location
- Description
Manual Refresh Time to Sync
The size limit for calendars is 3MB. iCal import is done immediately upon upload and then syncs will take place hourly. Need your calendar to sync faster? After completing the integration, go to Calendar Settings, click Refresh Calendar to perform a manual sync for the most current information to sync over.
Comments
Please Sign in to leave a comment if you don't see the comment box below.