Instructions for importing SSD training schedule into Apple Calendar, Google Calendar and Others

Updates

• 12/29/2016…Notes on Google Calendar import of .ics file
• 12/30/2015…Notes on Mac 10.11 El Capitan import of .ics file
• 12/26/2012…original notes.

Device OS versions used and tested for this update:

• iOS 9 and OSX 10
• Android 5 and Android 6

General comments:

This note provides outlines on importing the SSD training events into PC and smart-device Calendar applications.

Import .ics files are available for download from the SSD Schedule website for updating Apple and Google Calendars. Separate .csv schedule files are available for import into MS Outlook Calendar. The .csv files probably still import also into Google and Yahoo Calendars (and possibly as a legacy for Apple OSX Calendar).

In general, once you import the events into desktop based Apple and Google Calendars, the events will sync to your iOS and Android mobile devices. Apple Mac OSX and iOS devices support an easier array of drag-n-drop and email options to directly import the .ics files.

The note omits the details on the process of preparing data files and the formats required by the various calendar programs.

It is not necessary to delete any SSD events in either OSX or Google Calendar prior to a fresh .ics import.

• All events in the SSD .ics file have an unique UUID,
• An existing event should be over-written during an import when an UUID match is found.

How to - Import SSD schedule into MAC OSX Calendar

The SSD .ics formatted files will import into MAC OSX Calendar.
Example…SSDschedule_JAN-JUN.ics or SSDschedule_JUL-DEC.ics

Generally you create a SSD Calendar once and then import events periodically using a .ics file.

For MAC OSX 10.11 El Capitan and 10.11 Yosemite…

Primary method to import SSD schedule events into Apple Calendar is through drag-n-drop

• Download the latest version of the SSD .ics file to your Mac OSX PC or laptop.
  • It’s your choice either to save to a download directory or to OSX Desktop.
• Open the Calendar app.
  • If you want to collect the events into a separate SSD calendar then create the calendar:
    • from the title bar press the + button, then add SSD.
• To import the SSD events into a SSD calendar:
  • select or highlight the .ics file either from Finder app or the Desktop.
  • drag the .ics file (select and then hold left mouse) til over the SSD entry in the list of calendars, then drop (release the left mouse).
  • Calendar will briefly display a Importing Events progress bar.
  • Review the SSD events.

Alternate method to import SSD schedule into iOS devices without using Mac OSX PC or laptop.

• Download the .ics file.
• Send email to yourself with .ics file as an attachment.
• Open the email on your iOS device:
  • tap the .ics attachment in the email.
• When the list of events appears:
  • tap Add All.
• When the list of calendars appears:
  • tap SSD or other calendar where you want the events to load.
  • then tap Done.
• Review the events in the iOS Calendar app.

To display SSD events to your iOS device Calendar

• Normally the SSD calendar will auto-sync to your iOS device if you have iCloud connection enabled between iOS and OSX.
• Alternatively then manually sync Calendar events using iTunes Backup when iCloud connection is disabled.
• Without either iCloud or iTunes then use the email method listed above.

If you decide to delete SSD events:

• To delete all SSD events in mass from OSX Calendar:
  • right-mouse click on SSD calendar
  • select Delete.
  • recreate the SSD calendar prior to next .ics import.
• To deleted selected SSD events from OSX and iOS:
  • select or display the event from either OSX or iOS Calendar and use the Delete option.
  • use the OSX Calendar search feature to display only selected events, highlight these and then use Delete.

See the older notes below for methods under MAC OSX older than 10.10

How to - Import SSD schedule into Google Calendar for Android devices

The SSD .ics formatted files will import into the web based Google Calendar.
Example…SSDschedule_JAN-JUN.ics or SSDschedule_JUL-DEC.ics

Generally you create a SSD Calendar once and then import events periodically using a .ics file.

Primary method to import SSD schedule events into Google Calendar is through Google Calendar online using a web browser.

• Download the latest version of the SSD .ics file to your PC or laptop.
  • It’s your choice either to save to a download directory or to Desktop.
• Logon to your online Google Calendar app using a web browser.
  • If you want to collect the events into a separate SSD calendar then create the calendar:
    • Select or highlight My Calendar.
    • Use the pull down or down arrow to right of My Calendar:
      • select Create New Calendar.
      • enter name SSD.
      • select Create Calendar.
      • SSD should appear as a calendar under My Calendar
• To import the SSD events into a Google SSD calendar:
  • Select or highlight My Calendar.
  • Use the pull down or down arrow to right of My Calendar:
    • select Settings.
    • from Calendar Settings:
      • select Import Calendar.
    • from Import Calendar:
      • set File to the downloaded .ics file (i.e. SSDschedule_JAN-JUN.ics or SSDschedule_JUL-DEC.ics).
      • set Calendar to SSD.
      • select Import.
      • select Close from the Successfully import events box.
      • select Back to Calendar.
  • Review the SSD events.

Alternate method to - Import SSD schedule events into Android device Calendar

• The Google Play Store offers a number of apps for importing .ics files into Calendar on your Android device.
• None of these have been tested using the SSD .ics file.

To display SSD events on your Android Google Calendar

• Normally after the web based calendar creation and import, the SSD calendar will sync to all the Android devices you have connected to your Google account.
• If the SSD calendar does not display on the Android device
  • from the Calendar screen 3-dot button
    • select Refresh to force a re-sync.
• If the SSD calendar still does not display on the Android device
  • from the 3-bar button
    • select Settings.
    • press Show More to display all available calendars.
    • press the SSD button.
    • verify that Sync is ON for SSD.
• If the SDD calendar STILL does not display
  • time for an iPhone or iPad
  • or go back to paper calendar book.

If you decide to delete SSD events from Google Calendar:

• To delete all SSD events in mass from Google Calendar:
  • logon to the web based Google Calendar.
  • select or highlight SSD.
  • use the pull down or down arrow to right of SSD:
    • select Calendar Settings
    • from Calendar Settings scroll down and select Permanently delete this calendar
  • recreate the SSD calendar prior to next .ics import.
• To deleted selected SSD events from Google Calendar:
  • select or display the event from either web-based Google Calendar or Android device Calendar.
  • select Delete option.

Additional Info but most likely out of date

How to - Import the SSD schedule into MS Outlook

Use with caution!

Instructions have been NOT verified recently on Windows OS PC or devices.

You should have a “SSD” category already predefined within the calendar you wish to update, if not see Outlook Help for instructions on creating Categories.

• Select the appropirate JAN-JUN or JUL-DEC .csv data file and save it to a download directory or the desktop on you PC.
• Open MS Outlook and select the appropriate calendar, normally Personal calendar.
• Start the Outlook Import and Export Wizard…select File > Import and Export.
• Highlight action Import from another program or file then click Next.
• Highlight file type Comma Separated Values (DOS) then click Next.
• Type in the pathname to the saved CSV file or use the Browse button to select the file from a directory dialog. From Options…select Replace duplicates with items imported, then click Next.
• Highlight Calendar as the destination folder, then click Next.
• Make sure the Import SSDschedule_XXX-XXX.csv into folder: item is checked. Then click Map Custom Fields.
• Review the To: Microsoft Office Calendar or right-side panel in the Map Custom Fields dialog. All the key fields should already be mapped correctly between Field and Mapped From.
  • Optionally…if you want to set 2 hour reminder notices for the SSD events then select and drag the left panel From: values to the right side To: panel  
    1. Reminder on/off=REMINDER_ON
    2. Reminder Date=REMINDER_DATE
    3. Reminder Time=REMINDER_TIME
  • When done click OK.
• Finally, click Finish. When the Import Progress window closes, the SSD events should be shown in your calendar using category SSD. 
• Perform an Outlook to mobile device sync as appropriate to transfer the events to your mobile device. Reminder alarms will follow the device defaults unless you optionally set reminders in the Map Custom Fields step.

To delete any or all of the SSD events in Outlook Calendar then:

• Display the calendar events By Category.
• Expand the SSD category.
• Highlight or select the appropriate SSD events.
• Hit the delete key.

Additional notes for older versions of Apple Mac OSX

For MAC OSX 10.9 Mavericks…

Following a recent upgrade to 10.9 Mavericks, I have had no success using the drag and drop import method described under 10.8 Mountain Lion. Here’s a temporary solution (I hope) for anyone using iCloud sync between iDevices and Mac Calendar:

• Send yourself an email with the updated .ics file as an attachment.
• View this email on your iPad or iPhone (not your MAC email app).
• From your iPad or iPhone, touch the attachment icon. The list of events should display. Touch the Add button, select the SSD calendar or other appropriate calendar, and then touch Done.
• Once the events have stored on your iDevice, then (assuming you are using iCloud sync) the events should update or show also on your Mac Calendar. Otherwise, use iTunes to sync your iDevice to MAC Calendar.

For MAC OSX 10.8 Mountain Lion…

The method using iCal Import under the topic 10.6 Snow Leopard may or may not work for you under Mountain Lion. The following file drag and drop method will work as an alternate for Mountain Lion.

• Select the appropriate JAN-JUN or JUL-DEC .ics file and save it to a download directory or the desktop on your MAC.
• Open MAC iCal calendar and select the SSD calendar category.
• From Finder or the desktop, highlight the .ics filename.
• Left click and hold on the .ics filename, drag to iCalendar and release on top of the SSD category. Calendar should show an import progress bar briefly.
• The SSD events should then display under category SSD. If the SSD events upload to another category, then use the Calendar search feature (upper right) to display all the SSD events, highlight all of these, right click > Calendar > set the category to SSD.
• The .ics data has been set to overwrite events should you re-import the calendar after an SSD update.
• You may manually delete any or all SSD events from iCal using the iCal search feature (upper right in iCal display).

For MAC OSX 10.6 Snow Leopard…

• Select the appropriate JAN-JUN or JUL-DEC .ics file and save it to a download directory or the desktop on your MAC.
• Open MAC iCal calendar and select the SSD calendar category.
• Start the iCal Import procedure…select File > Import > Import.
• Select the .ics file that you downloaded previously, then OK.
• From Add Event select the destination calendar SSD, then OK.
• The .ics data has been set to overwrite events should you re-import the calendar after an SSD update.
• You may manually delete any or all SSD events from iCal using the iCal search feature (upper right in iCal display).

How to - Create a Palm PDA Calendar import file via Yahoo! Calendar

12/2012 These instructions are now provided for historical reference only and have not been recently verified on an actual Palm PDA device.

Palm PDA Desktop will not import a .csv file directly, only a .dba or .vcal formated file. So a workaround for Palm PDA is to import the SSD .cvs file into a Yahoo Calendar (import as an Outlook CSV) which supports an export feature to Palm .dba file. You may then import this Yahoo.dba file into your Palm Desktop and finally sync with our PDA.

Yahoo! Calendar import does not load the Location data from the SSD csv file, so location information has also been appended into the Notes field.