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Import a JSON backup or calendar file

Restore an editable schedule from a backup, or create a selected-week snapshot from a calendar file.

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Before you begin

  • A ScheduleBuilder JSON backup, or an iCalendar .ics or .ical export.
  • Use your own schedule workspace, not a schedule shared with you by invitation.

Choose the file to import

  1. Open Import in the builder toolbar, or Schedule tools → Import schedule on mobile. On a short desktop, find Import or From a file under More.

  2. Choose From a file if import options appear. Drop one file into the file area, or select the area to browse. Nothing is imported until you review and confirm it.

Accepted import files
FileMaximum sizeWhat you restore
ScheduleBuilder JSON backup4 MiBThe active schedule from that backup, with its settings, Notes, and any included tasks.
iCalendar .ics or .ical export2 MiBEvents from one selected week, not tasks or automatic sync.

PNG, PDF, and ZIP files cannot be restored as editable schedules.

From this device reviews a guest schedule in this browser. It appears only when signed in with importable local work, including a schedule with Notes but no events. Invited viewers and editors cannot import into someone else’s shared schedule. Switch to your own workspace; importing a shared export there makes a separate copy.

Review a JSON backup

The review tells you whether the incoming schedule will replace existing work. Nothing changes until you confirm.

In Review import, check the name, events, times, visible days, and theme. Notes and tasks are not displayed here; check them after importing. Older backups without tasks still work. Keep the original JSON private because it can contain scratchpad Notes and private task data.

A connected-calendar backup restores editable events on the last successfully synced week’s original dates, not a newer requested week. It does not restore automatic sync.

Review a week from an iCalendar file

  1. Choose Week to import, then select Preview week.

  2. Check the selected dates and events in Review import. This creates a one-time editable snapshot, not calendar sync.

Calendar files are read in this browser; the original file is not uploaded for parsing. If you confirm while signed in, the resulting schedule is saved to your account.

Confirm the import

What the confirmation button does when importing succeeds
Your situationButtonResult
GuestReplace on this deviceReplaces the current browser schedule with the imported schedule.
Signed-in Free accountReplace in accountReplaces the current account schedule, rather than adding another.
Signed-in Pro account with cloud schedulesAdd to accountAdds another schedule while keeping your existing collection.
Signed-in account with no cloud schedulesReplace in accountThe imported schedule takes the place of the initial workspace.
  1. Choose the Add to account, Replace in account, or Replace on this device button shown in Review import. Wait for the import to finish.

    For Pro accounts with saved schedules, Add to account keeps the existing collection and adds a separate schedule.
  2. After a successful import, the review closes. Select the imported schedule and check its events. Open Notes and Tasks under Planning to check the restored private content. On mobile web, find them under Planning in Schedule tools; with Android’s bottom toolbar, find them in the View section instead.

Cancel without changing your schedules

Choose Cancel in the calendar-file week dialog or Review import to close without importing or replacing your schedules. Reopen Import to choose another source or file.

Check the restored settings

JSON retains output settings, including Frame, which is not shown in Review import. Open Export → PNG or Export → PDF to check them. Uploaded and saved Pixabay backgrounds are removed on import; upload the image again if needed. Publication and collaboration access are not restored. Share the new schedule only if you intend to.

Fix a rejected or incomplete import

No preview: check the file type, size, and error message. Choose an original ScheduleBuilder JSON backup or iCalendar export, not PNG, PDF, or ZIP. A valid file opens the review; it cannot contain more than 250 schedule events.

Empty or oversized calendar week: try another week or a smaller calendar. Timed events spanning midnight become daily parts and can use more than one of the 250 event slots. Descriptions cannot be omitted to bypass size limits. Minute-by-minute and second-by-second repeating events are skipped.

Account schedule limit: adding a schedule is currently limited to 100 owned schedules. The pending review stays available if you reach that limit. Keep your backup and contact support if you need help; a higher limit is not guaranteed.

Import save failed: follow any recovery prompt and check your account schedules before confirming again. A failed save does not confirm that the import finished.

Tasks were not restored: the schedule and its Notes remain imported. Keep the original JSON and contact support; do not assume all task data was restored.