> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://support.servicem8.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How to use the Calendar Import Add-on

> Learn how to use the Calendar Import Add-on in ServiceM8.

With ServiceM8's Calendar Import Add-on allows you to import staff member available/busy time from an external calendar and show it on the dispatch board.

**Here's how:**

## Go to Settings and click ServiceM8 Add-ons

![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/screensteps_live/image_assets/assets/000/981/126/original/d4c58780-9610-4891-b52f-d9426378c84d.png?1505979173)

## Navigate or search for Calendar Import and switch it on to activate

![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/screensteps_live/image_assets/assets/000/981/130/original/927712fc-48fb-42af-9d84-2c866ce17e6d.png?1505979183)

To import/sync a staff member’s external calendar, a special 'iCal' URL is required, which will be available in the settings area of the relevant calendar (e.g. Google, Office 365).

In this example, we are going to use **Google Calendar's iCal**

## Open your Google Calendar from computer

[![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/screensteps_live/image_assets/assets/001/323/463/medium/ed1389cb-ec83-4cfd-a350-54540950d142.png?1519018667)](https://s3.amazonaws.com/screensteps_live/image_assets/assets/001/323/463/original/ed1389cb-ec83-4cfd-a350-54540950d142.png?1519018667)

1.Tick to select a calendar you want to share and click **Option**

2\. Then click **Settings and sharing**

## In the Settings, select Access Permissions and tick 'Make available to public'

[![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/screensteps_live/image_assets/assets/001/323/468/medium/98e08070-ba8a-4eef-b4ae-6495bf5f6fb3.png?1519018686)](https://s3.amazonaws.com/screensteps_live/image_assets/assets/001/323/468/original/98e08070-ba8a-4eef-b4ae-6495bf5f6fb3.png?1519018686)

## Then select Integrate Calendar, and copy the iCal link

[![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/screensteps_live/image_assets/assets/001/323/470/medium/c2d78f24-e3b2-4db6-b6d4-8669529925b0.png?1519018695)](https://s3.amazonaws.com/screensteps_live/image_assets/assets/001/323/470/original/c2d78f24-e3b2-4db6-b6d4-8669529925b0.png?1519018695)

## Now go back to ServiceM8 and go to Settings > Staff

![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/screensteps_live/image_assets/assets/001/323/466/original/6d025844-068d-4c10-885f-1c239beec52f.png?1519018679)

## In Staff Members tab, select a staff member and click Edit

[![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/screensteps_live/image_assets/assets/000/981/128/medium/117d1103-2965-4b1f-bcbb-91d81e6487ba.png?1505979178)](https://s3.amazonaws.com/screensteps_live/image_assets/assets/000/981/128/original/117d1103-2965-4b1f-bcbb-91d81e6487ba.png?1505979178)

## Click Options and paste the "iCal" link into Import Free/Busy Time from Calendar URL field, then click Save Changes.

![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/screensteps_live/image_assets/assets/000/981/122/original/91b0e1a5-4c67-422d-a8fc-dddec4c964d2.png?1505979157)

## Staff member's external calendar will show in the dispatch board

[![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/screensteps_live/image_assets/assets/000/981/132/medium/e2a8afb8-0951-4aea-a83b-e4785f494173.png?1505979188)](https://s3.amazonaws.com/screensteps_live/image_assets/assets/000/981/132/original/e2a8afb8-0951-4aea-a83b-e4785f494173.png?1505979188)

Times blocked out in a staff member’s external calendar will mark the staff member as “**Busy**” at that time in the dispatch board, and be taken into account by the new Booking Suggestions feature.

**Note:** Calendar and Staff Schedules update every 15 minutes after the import. Calendar syncs are 90 days forward, 30 days back.