How to use .vcs files

The file format .vcs makes it easy to save and send appointments. The .vcs file extension is compatible with a wide range of calendar programs.

In the past, appointment cards were filled out in the waiting rooms of offices and we had to pencil in our appointments in paper diaries. This has since changed, and now we can manage our appointments digitally. The PDI, or personal digital interchange, is an important tool when two people are interacting in both professional and personal settings. .vcs files are one of the tools used to synchronise and forward appointments.

While vCalendar was long the industry standard for exchanging appointment information, iCalendar has become increasingly popular. vCalender files have the .vcs file extension and are compatible with a huge range of digital calendars.

The big advantage of .vcs files is their versatility. These files can be created and then imported into a different program. Google Calendar, Microsoft Outlook and Apple Calendar all support the .vcs file format. On top of this, you also have the option of creating an appointment and sending it to another person, who can then simply add it to their own calendar. With .vcs files, you can include, in addition to the time and date, whether the appointment will happen on a recurring basis and any additional comments you might have. The .vcs file format is also suitable for appointment or events that involve lots of people.

If you would like to create a .vcs file to send to one person or a group of people, you can do so by using a program such as Microsoft Outlook. If you have a version from 2010 onwards, you can simply do the following:

1. Open the calendar in the program of your choice and select the event or appointment you want to send out.
2. Go to ‘File’ and click on the option ‘Save as’.
3. From here you can select the .vcs option.
4. Select the folder in which you want to save the .vcs file.
5. Now click on ‘Save’.

If you want to send a .vcs file to another person, you can do this by sending it in an email. If the person is not yet in your contact list, you can import Outlook contacts. You can also keep your Google address book up to date by importing Gmail contacts. To forward a .vcs file, complete the following steps:

If you have received a .vcs file, you can open it using a range of programs. In the following example, we will show you how to open a .vcs file using Outlook.

1. Open Outlook.
2. Click on ‘File’, ‘Open and export’ and then ’Import/Export’.
3. Select “Import vCalendar file (.vcs)’ and then ‘Continue’.
4. You can now select the corresponding file and confirm your selection with ‘OK’. The corresponding appointment will now be added to your calendar.

There are numerous programs you can use to open a .vcs file. Among these are:

• Apple Calendar
• Calligra Suite
• Evolution
• iCal
• Microsoft Outlook
• Microsoft Works
• Netscape Navigator