> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://learn.withessential.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://learn.withessential.com/administration/settings/connect-a-calendar-google-or-microsoft-outlook.md).

# Connect a calendar (Google or Microsoft Outlook)

Essential can sync your team's schedule into a Google or Microsoft Outlook calendar so technicians see their visits in the calendar app they already use. Open Settings, go to Scheduling, and select the Calendar Sync tab.

You'll see a card for Google Calendar and one for Microsoft Outlook Calendar. Click Connect on the provider you want, sign in, and approve access. When you return, the card turns green and shows the connected account's email address.

Each technician gets their own dedicated calendar, kept up to date automatically. A few things to know. The initial sync only adds visits from today onward; past visits are not copied over.

When a technician is deactivated or loses mobile access, Essential schedules removal of their dedicated calendar from every connected account. If a calendar provider cannot complete the deletion, the external calendar and Essential's tracking record are both kept rather than half-removed. Essential does not automatically retry that provider failure, but the retained tracking record means the calendar can still be located for later cleanup. If the technician is reactivated, a calendar is created again the next time one of their visits syncs.

Essential is the source of truth: any change you make directly in the synced calendar will be overwritten the next time that job is updated in Essential, so always edit visits in Essential, not in the calendar app. You can connect Google and Outlook independently.

To stop syncing, click Disconnect on that provider's card and confirm. For Google, disconnecting revokes Essential's access, stops syncing, and removes the Essential calendars from your account.

For Microsoft Outlook, disconnecting removes the stored connection in Essential and stops syncing, but Microsoft does not provide the same direct revocation step through Essential. If you need to fully revoke access in Microsoft, remove Essential from your Microsoft account's connected apps or admin settings.

> **Where to find it:** Settings > Scheduling > Calendar Sync

## Related guides

* [Turn scheduling and GPS features on or off](/administration/settings/turn-scheduling-and-gps-features-on-or-off.md)


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