01 Jul Exploring Calendar Features in SharePoint and Microsoft 365 for Business Use
Efficient scheduling and seamless collaboration are critical for business productivity. One powerful toolset that organizations can leverage is the calendar functionality within SharePoint and Microsoft 365. These platforms provide several calendar options to help teams organize meetings, track project milestones, and manage resources. In this guide, we’ll explore the available calendar features in SharePoint and Microsoft 365, how they differ, and when to use each. Whether you’re looking to add a calendar to SharePoint or streamline your organization’s planning workflows, this article has you covered.
Understanding Calendars in SharePoint and Microsoft 365
What Are SharePoint Calendars?
SharePoint Calendars are classic app-based tools used to manage dates, appointments, and events within a team or site. Typically found in SharePoint on-premises and classic SharePoint Online sites, they offer
- A familiar, Outlook-style calendar interface
- Integration with Microsoft Outlook
- Support for overlays (displaying multiple calendars)
- Color-coded categories for better visual tracking
Note: While still functional, classic SharePoint Calendars are considered legacy tools and may not be available in modern SharePoint sites unless custom configurations are applied.
Options for Calendars in Modern SharePoint and Microsoft 365
With the shift to modern SharePoint experiences and Microsoft 365, the traditional SharePoint Calendar is no longer the default option. Instead, modern tools offer richer collaboration and deeper integration:
- Microsoft 365 Group Calendars
- Auto-created when a Microsoft 365 Group is formed
- Visible in Outlook, Teams, and SharePoint team sites
- Ideal for teams needing a shared calendar across services
- Supports scheduling meetings, invites, and resource bookings
- Outlook Web Calendar Integration
- Add Outlook calendars directly into modern SharePoint pages using web parts.
- Users view or manage their calendars without leaving SharePoint.
- Great for dashboard-style intranet pages
- Power Apps Custom Calendars
- Build customized calendar experiences using Power Apps.
- Integrate with SharePoint Lists or external data sources
- Tailor workflows for booking, approvals, or tracking
- SharePoint Lists with Calendar Views
- Modern alternative to classic SharePoint Calendars
- Use a SharePoint List and enable calendar view to simulate event tracking.
- Supports filtering, sorting, and Power Automate workflows
- Preferred by IT teams using Microsoft 365 consulting services for scalable solutions
When to Add a Calendar to SharePoint
Organizations often add calendars to SharePoint for:
- Department or team event tracking
- Managing project timelines or deadlines
- Displaying organizational holidays or training schedules
- Embedding calendar widgets on intranet homepages
With a wide range of integration options, deciding on the right calendar approach depends on your team’s needs and the modernity of your SharePoint environment.
Maximize Team Scheduling with M365 & SharePoint Calendars
Unlock powerful calendar tools in M365 and SharePoint for seamless meetings, milestones, and business workflows.
How to Choose the Right Calendar Option
| Requirement | Recommended Calendar Type |
|---|---|
|
Team scheduling with Microsoft 365 apps |
Microsoft 365 Group Calendar |
|
Visual display on SharePoint site |
Outlook web part |
|
Custom data-driven event tracking |
Power Apps or SharePoint List Calendar View |
|
Classic SharePoint environments |
SharePoint Calendar App (legacy) |
For enterprise-level deployments, leveraging SharePoint Consulting Services can help select, configure, and deploy the right calendar model for your use case.
Benefits of Using Calendars in SharePoint and Microsoft 365
- Centralized Planning: Keep all team schedules in one place.
- Real-time Collaboration: Sync with Outlook and Teams
- Customizability: Use Power Apps for tailored workflows.
- Accessibility: Access calendars from anywhere using Microsoft 365 tools.
- Automation: Combine with Power Automate for reminders and workflows.
FAQs About SharePoint and Microsoft 365 Calendars
- Can I use a modern calendar view in SharePoint Online?
Yes, modern SharePoint Lists support calendar views that function similarly to legacy SharePoint Calendars, with modern UI and filtering.
- Is it possible to sync a SharePoint calendar with Outlook?
Classic SharePoint Calendars can sync with Outlook. For modern sites, Microsoft 365 Group Calendars serve this purpose more effectively.
- Do I need coding skills to build a calendar in Power Apps?
Not necessarily. While some Power Apps features may require formulas, Microsoft provides templates and low-code tools to create custom calendars.
Conclusion
As SharePoint and Microsoft 365 continue to evolve, so do the ways in which organizations manage events and schedules. From legacy SharePoint calendars to fully integrated Microsoft 365 Group calendars and Power Apps solutions, there’s a wide range of options to choose from. By understanding your team’s requirements and leveraging expert Microsoft 365 Consulting or SharePoint Consulting Services, you can build an efficient calendar system that enhances collaboration and productivity.
For enterprises looking to modernize their calendar experience, it’s time to rethink the role of calendars in SharePoint and take full advantage of what SharePoint and Microsoft 365 have to offer.
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