Creating a new calendar takes three clicks in Outlook
You can create a new calendar in Outlook on your computer or phone in under a minute. The steps differ slightly depending on whether you use Outlook on Windows, Mac, or the web version, but the result is the same: a blank calendar you can name, color-code, and share with others. Most people create a second calendar to separate work events from personal ones, or to track a specific project.
This guide covers the desktop and web versions of Outlook. If you use the Outlook mobile app on iPhone or Android, you'll need to create calendars through the web version first — the mobile app doesn't have a create function yet.
Key Takeaways
- In Outlook on Windows or Mac, right-click the calendar list on the left side and select "Add Calendar" or the plus icon to create a new one.
- In Outlook on the web, click the plus sign next to "My Calendars" in the left sidebar to add a new calendar.
- You can assign a color to each calendar so events stand out visually and are easy to tell apart.
- New calendars are private by default, but you can share them with coworkers or family members after creation.
Creating a calendar in Outlook on Windows
Open Outlook and look at the left sidebar where your calendar list appears. At the bottom of that list, you'll see a plus sign or the text "Add Calendar." Click it. A small window will pop up asking you to name the calendar — type whatever you want: "Project X," "Home," "Vacation Planning," or anything else that makes sense to you.
After you type the name, press Enter or click the checkmark button. The new calendar appears in your list immediately. You can now create events in it by clicking on a date and choosing which calendar to save the event to. By default, Outlook assigns each new calendar a different color, so you can tell them apart at a glance.
Creating a calendar in Outlook on Mac
The Mac version works almost identically. Open Outlook and find the calendar list on the left side of the screen. Look for a plus sign next to "My Calendars" or right-click anywhere in the calendar list and select "New Calendar" from the menu that appears. Type the name you want and press Enter.
On Mac, you may also see the option to create a calendar in a specific folder or location — the default choice (usually "On My Computer") is fine for most people. The new calendar will appear in your list and be ready to use immediately.
Creating a calendar in Outlook on the web
If you use Outlook through a web browser (outlook.office.com or outlook.live.com), the process is slightly different but just as fast. On the left side of the screen, find the "My Calendars" section. Next to it, you'll see a plus sign. Click it.
A box will appear asking for a calendar name. Type the name, then click "Create." The new calendar shows up in your list right away. You can switch between calendars by clicking their names, and events you create will be assigned to whichever calendar you have selected.
Changing the color of your calendar
Each new calendar gets a default color, but you can change it to make it easier to spot. In Outlook on Windows or Mac, right-click the calendar name and select "Edit Calendar" or "Change Color." A color palette appears — pick the one you want and click it. The change takes effect immediately.
In Outlook on the web, click the three dots next to the calendar name and select "Edit Calendar." Scroll down to find the color option, choose a new color, and click "Save." Your events in that calendar will now display in the new color across all your views.
Sharing your new calendar with others
Once you've created a calendar, you can share it with coworkers, family members, or anyone else. In Outlook on Windows or Mac, right-click the calendar name and select "Sharing Permissions" or "Share." Type the email address of the person you want to share with, choose what level of access they should have (view only, edit, or delegate), and click "Share."
In Outlook on the web, click the three dots next to the calendar name and select "Share." Enter the email address and permission level, then click "Share." The person you share with will receive an email invitation and can then see or edit your calendar depending on the permissions you set.
Organizing multiple calendars
Once you have more than one calendar, you can view them all at the same time or hide the ones you don't need right now. In Outlook on Windows or Mac, check or uncheck the box next to each calendar name to show or hide it. In Outlook on the web, click the eye icon next to each calendar to toggle visibility.
You can also create calendar groups to keep related calendars together. Right-click in the calendar list and select "New Calendar Group," then drag calendars into it. This keeps your sidebar organized if you end up with many calendars — for example, you might group all work calendars together and all personal ones separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I delete a calendar after I create it?
Yes. Right-click the calendar name and select "Delete Calendar" (Windows or Mac) or click the three dots and select "Delete" (web version). Outlook will ask you to confirm. Any events in that calendar will be deleted too, so make sure you don't need them first.
What's the difference between a calendar and a folder?
A calendar is a container for events with a specific date and time. A folder is for storing emails. In Outlook, you create calendars to organize events and folders to organize messages. They're separate systems that don't overlap.
Can I move events from one calendar to another?
Yes. Click an event to open it, then look for a "Calendar" dropdown or field. Select the calendar you want to move it to and save. The event will now appear in the new calendar instead of the old one.
Do I need an internet connection to create a calendar?
If you use Outlook on Windows or Mac as a desktop app, you can create calendars offline. If you use Outlook on the web, you need an internet connection. Either way, the calendar syncs across your devices once you're back online.
Can multiple people edit the same calendar?
Yes, if you share the calendar with edit permissions. Each person can add, change, or delete events. If you want people to only view the calendar without making changes, share it with view-only permissions instead.