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An ICS calendar (iCal) is a standardized calendar format supported by nearly all calendar applications. With the integration, anny can import external calendar appointments via an ICS link and use them as blockers on a resource. With the ICS calendar integration you can in anny:
  • Show external calendar appointments as blockers on a resource
  • Automatically prevent bookings at times that are already occupied
  • Connect any calendar provider (Google, Outlook, Apple, others)
The integration is especially useful when you use a calendar provider for which anny does not offer a native two-way integration, or when you only need a one-way synchronization (external → anny).

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Typical use cases

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How the ICS calendar connection works

The integration works as a one-way import (external → anny): anny reads the ICS link at regular intervals and transfers new or changed appointments as blockers to the resource. Sync intervals:
Synchronization runs only in one direction (external → anny). anny bookings are not written back to the external calendar. For a two-way synchronization, use the native Google or Outlook integration.

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Connecting an ICS calendar

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Requirements

Before you connect an ICS calendar, make sure you have the following:
  • An ICS/iCal link from your external calendar (available as a URL)
  • Admin access in your anny account
  • The resource to be synced is already created

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Setting up the connection

1

Open the resource

Open the desired resource and switch to the Integrations tab.
2

Enter the ICS link

Under External calendars, paste the ICS link into the ICAL URL field and save.
Once the link is entered, anny begins the staggered synchronization of the appointments.
If your ICS link contains an @ character, replace it with %40. Otherwise anny cannot process the link correctly.

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Settings & options

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Limitations

The ICS calendar integration does not support:
  • Two-way synchronization (only external calendar → anny, not the other way around)
  • Real-time synchronization (staggered intervals, see above)
  • Making changes to external appointments directly in anny (blockers can only be deleted in anny)

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Disconnecting

When you delete the ICS link, the imported blockers are removed. New appointments from the external calendar are no longer synced.
Remove the ICS link under Resource → Integrations → External calendars.

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FAQ

The ICS calendar integration is available from the Essential plan.
Not via the ICS import. For export, you can add the shared anny calendar link in your external calendar. For a full two-way synchronization, use the native Google or Outlook integration.
Depending on the period: appointments on the same day are updated every 5 minutes, appointments in the next week every 15 minutes. Details in the sync interval table above.
Yes. You can add several ICS links to one resource. All are used as a blocker source.

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Troubleshooting

Check whether the ICS link is entered correctly (no @ character, but %40). Test the link in your browser: it should download an .ics file. Note that the first synchronization can take up to an hour depending on the period.
The ICS link may have expired or was changed by the provider. Generate a new link and enter it again.
Synchronization covers a maximum of 365 days. Appointments outside this period are ignored. In addition, only appointments with the status “busy” are imported as blockers.