How to accept calendar invite Outlook

Meeting invitations look a lot like any other email message. The difference is that they control what appears on your calendar. So don't ignore or delete them. 

This article applies to: Outlook on the Web

Microsoft frequently updates the design of Outlook on the Web, so your version may not match exactly the description given here.

You'll notice that a meeting invitation includes clickable links for

• ACCEPT (with a green checkmark
• TENTATIVE (with a purple question mark)
• DECLINE (with a red X)

Click the link that matches your intent, then, from the list that appears, choose whether to send a response. 

The meeting will appear on your calendar (unless you've declined it) and the meeting invitation will be automatically moved to your Deleted Items folder.

Notes

• If you don't send a response, the meeting organizer won't be able to tell whether you're attending. They'll see your status as "none."
• If you click Decline, the meeting won't appear on your calendar. So if it's possible you might attend, click Tentative instead.

Please don't delete meeting invitations. It may cause your calendar to become out of sync with other people's calendars.

You should also avoid deleting meetings while in calendar view. Instead, use the method described below to change your response to Decline.

Deleting invitations may also trigger the Calendar Repair Assistant, which is a good thing, but may confuse you by putting back the meetings you deleted.

Bottom line: Accept or Decline, but do not delete.

Alternate Method

Unless you've changed your Outlook on the Web configuration settings, proposed meetings will appear on your calendar as tentative. You can accept or decline meetings directly on your calendar by clicking on the meeting, then selecting the green check (to accept), the purple question mark (to leave it as tentative), or the red X (to decline).

About this Article

Last updated: 

Tuesday, February 18, 2020 - 8:53am

Audience: 

Faculty, IT Professionals, Staff

Calendar

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  How do I accept a shared calendar invite in Outlook?

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  How do I accept a calendar invite?

  Open the invitation email, or the event that was added to your calendar..

  Maybe..

  Yes, in a meeting room..

  Yes, joining virtually..

  How do I accept a calendar invite via email?

  RSVP to an invite.

  Open the invitation email or the event on your calendar..

  Click Yes, No, or Maybe..

  If you click "Yes,” you can: Automatically update how you join the meeting. If you set your working location, your RSVP defaults to: Yes, in a meeting room, when you join from an office..

  How do I accept a calendar proposal in Outlook?

  Accept or decline a proposed new meeting time.

  Double-click to open the new time proposal. You cannot accept a new time proposal from the Reading Pane..

  Click Accept Proposal or View All Proposals..

  If you accept the proposal, click Accept Proposal and then Send Update. If you decline the proposal, click Delete..