Import of icas file to Thunderbird/ Calendar fails, no error message or anything; any ideas? (Win 8.1)
File originally exported from Microsoft Works Calendar. Is an ics format file which Thunderbird Calendar uses. There is an 'Events and Tasks/ Import' option in the toolbar but using this and selecting the ics file produces no discernable result; not even an error message.
Should import be possible? If so, are there limits on size, dates? Any ideas gratefully received.
Chosen solution
If you are concerned with security or privacy issues, just send me the first section starting with BEGIN:VCALENDAR and ending with END:VTIMEZONE (about 20 lines), and also the last few lines (ending with END:VCALENDAR).
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- In Thunderbird, select the Calendar tab.
- Right click on a calendar and select 'New Calendar...'.
- Click 'On My Computer' and 'Next'.
- Give your calendar a name (e.g. Home), choose a color for it, and click 'Next'.
- Click 'Finish'.
- From the 'Events & Tasks' menu, select 'Import...'.
- Highlight the .ics file and click 'Open'.
- On the small 'Select Calendar' screen, highlight 'Home' and click 'OK'.
- There will be a delay of several seconds while Lightning processes the calendar file.
- Note that a calendar is displayed if it is checked, and hidden if not checked.
Does that work? How large is your .ics file? Do you have lots of old entries?
Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately it did not work. I thought it was what I had already tried anyway but repeated just to be sure. My ics file is 882 KB. I do have old entries, say 10/ week for 10 years back and 2 forward years BUT that is what I want my Calendar for!
Should I OR can I load these a few at a time - i.e. can I add to an existing Calendar from a new ics file? (By going back and producing backup file each couple of years.) Thx
Yes, you can import to an existing calendar; the imported entries are just added to what was already there.
Here are two approaches you can try:
As you suggested, you can edit the .ics file. It is a text file conforming to RFC5545; see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ICalendar 882Kb is a big file to edit!
Another approach which would save you a lot of editing is to run a file compression / purging program which I wrote; see http://barryduggan.info/compIcal.php It will remove all items before the current year which do not have a repeat rule. You will get a greatly reduced file size, and can see if it loads OK. Then you could do some manual editing from there.
Let me know how it goes.
Hi, Tried again. Sadly still no luck. Exported new, small, current appointments only file from old Calendar; size of ics fle only 68k. Tried Import to Lightening with same result - nowt, not even an error message!
I am ready to give in and use Google calendar for now.
Thanks for your assistance.
Sorry you are still having problems. What version of Thunderbird and what version of Lightning are you running?
New P.C. with Win 8.1 64 Bit on Monday this week. So installed Thunderbird 31.4.0 and Lightening 3.3.3 which were the 'default' ones for me.
Not your fault I'm stymied.
Appreciate your interest!
If you would like to email your .ics file to me, I can take a look at it to see if there are any problems. Send to barry@barryduggan.info
Chosen Solution
If you are concerned with security or privacy issues, just send me the first section starting with BEGIN:VCALENDAR and ending with END:VTIMEZONE (about 20 lines), and also the last few lines (ending with END:VCALENDAR).
Sorry, took a break to feed etc.
e-mailed with ATT
Finally found work-around by Importing the file exported from Windows Live to Google Calendar, then Exported the data from that and THAT file Imported OK to Lightening!
Thanks for all the support !!!