Easy Tech TutsHow to View Other People's Calendar in Outlook, View Shared Calendar Easily 2026
By Impran M N
Coordinating meetings shouldn't require an endless back-and-forth of availability emails. This guide covers finding a coworker's calendar in your directory, requesting access if needed, and using overlay mode to stack multiple schedules into one view.
01Open your calendar view
Launch Outlook and navigate to the primary calendar board layout.
02Add a calendar from the directory
Click Add Calendar in the ribbon and select "From Directory."
03Search for the coworker
Type their name or email into the search field to locate their profile.
04Select and file it
Choose the target profile and pick a group or folder location to keep it organized.
05Request access if needed
If details are hidden, use the Request Permission option to send an authorization note.
06Overlay the calendars
Activate Overlay View mode to combine the shared schedule with your own for easy comparison.
Frequently asked questions
What if I can't find a coworker's calendar in the directory?
Their calendar visibility may be restricted by permissions, in which case you may need to send a formal access request.
What does Overlay View actually do?
It stacks multiple calendars on top of each other in a single grid so you can compare availability at a glance instead of switching tabs.
Can I group several team members' calendars together?
Yes, you can bundle multiple shared calendars into a dedicated calendar group for easier ongoing access.
Will changes to a coworker's calendar show up automatically?
Shared calendar data is designed to sync in near real time, though refreshing your view can help confirm the latest updates.
Watch the full walkthrough
The same steps, demonstrated on screen from start to finish.
