How to transfer calendar items

Q: I have set up Outlook on my new computer but am missing all of my calendar items. I can see them on my old computer. Is there a way to copy them over?

A: The best option for moving your old Outlook items from one PC to another is to export them on one PC, take the exported file and then copy it to the new PC. Then import it into the new copy of Outlook.

To do this, click on File and then select Open and Export, and then click on Import and Export.

In the window that pops up, click on Export to a file and click Next.

Under Create a file of type, choose Outlook Data File (.pst) and click Next.

Here you can choose your calendar in the left column, then click Next.

You will be prompted to choose a name for the file you are about to export and a location to save the file. I recommend calling it Calendar and saving it to your desktop.

This process should go pretty quick.

Once you have the file, copy it to your new computer and repeat this process. But rather than exporting you will be choosing Import from another program or file and selecting Outlook data file (.pst), then browsing to the file you copied from the old PC.

This will put all of your calendar items into your new calendar.

You can also use this process to grab your contacts, as those are probably also missing from your new PC.

Q: My office switched to Office 365 and we’re using Exchange for our email. In Outlook, calendar events are now scheduled and automatically accepted on my calendar. How do I turn this off ? I want to see and accept invites without them being automatically added to my calendar.

A: This is a two-step process.

The first thing you want to do is turn off the autoaccept feature.

Click on File, Options and then Calendar.

Click on the Auto Accept/Decline button and make sure everything is unchecked in the window.

Now, when someone sends you a calendar invitation, you will see an email message in your inbox that will let you choose to accept or decline the message.

Please note, the item will appear on your calendar when the request comes in, but when you take action it will be added permanently or be removed, depending on the action you take.

If you accept a meeting, but later want to change it, you can access the meeting item in your calendar and take actions as outlined in the top ribbon.

You will also have other options, such as suggesting a new time or sending a message to the person who invited you.