To Import and Export Calendars

Occasionally, you export a calendar to a file to import into another calendar. For example, you have subscribed to a read-only calendar but you want your own copy that you can modify. Or, you want to share a calendar with others who do not have access to your calendar server. You might also want to export your calendar to make a backup copy.

Sun Java System Calendar Server supports the iCalendar standard calendar schema definition (RFC 2445), and consequently can import and export calendar data in this format. Calendar Server can also import and export calendar data in an XML format.

In this demo, will export your default calendar to a file and then import that file into an empty calendar.

1. Click the Import/Export icon.

   The Import and Export Calendar window appears. You will first perform a calendar export.

2. In the Calendars to Export drop-down menu, select duncan@map.beta.com (Duncan Hoff).

   This is Duncan's default calendar.

3. In the File Format drop-down menu, select iCal.

   An XML format is also available. You can also export calendar data with attachments.

4. Select All for the Date Range.

5. Click Export to export the calendar data.

   You see one or more dialog boxes requiring you to verify that you want to save a file. Additionally, you are prompted for a location to save the file. Note the location where the export.ics file is saved.

6. Approve all dialog windows to save the calendar file and dismiss any pop-up windows that remain after the file has been saved.

   The Import and Export Calendar window should stay visible. Do not dismiss this window because you use it to import the recently saved file.

7. In the Import to Calendar drop-down menu, select the recently created empty calendar called Demos.

   If you do not have an empty calendar, create one. See To Create and Subscribe to Calendars.

8. Click Browse to select the recently exported file that is inserted into the Import from File field.

   When you click Browse, a window appears prompting you to select the file that you exported earlier. By default, the file name is export. When you have located and selected the file, click Open to insert the file name into the Import from File field.

9. In the File Format menu, select iCal.

   An XML format is also available.

10. Select All for the Date Range.

11. Click Import to import the calendar data into the Demos Calendar.

    The following message appears at the top of the Import and Export Calendar window: Successfully Imported the data to the selected calendar

12. Click Close to close the Import and Export Calendar window.

13. From the Current Calendar menu, select the duncan@map.beta.com:Demos calendar to view the results.

    Notice that this calendar has the same events that are in Duncan's default calendar. Also notice that it is not possible to modify these events because the calendar id (calid) of the Organizer does not match the calid of the Demos calendar. To modify events, edit the export.ics file and change the value of the ORGANIZER's calid from duncan@map.beta.com to duncan@map.beta.com:Demos.

14. Continue with the next task.