Linked vs Conflict Calendars in Sparkforge: Setup Guide

Sparkforge syncs Google, Microsoft 365, Outlook.com, and iCloud calendars to keep your availability accurate. Three concepts work together: Connected, Linked, and Conflict calendars.

How the three calendar types work together

• Connected Calendars: grant Sparkforge permission to read (and optionally write) events from an external account.
• Linked Calendars: import events and availability into Sparkforge so true busy times show.
• Conflict Calendars: mark a connected calendar as a blocker so any external event automatically makes the overlapping Sparkforge slot unavailable.

Prerequisites

• Admin or Manager role in the sub-account
• Active Google Calendar, Microsoft 365, Outlook.com, or iCloud account

Set up a Linked Calendar

Step 1: Open Connections

In your sub-account, go to Settings > Calendars and click the Connections tab.

Step 2: Add a calendar

1. Under Connected Calendars, click + Add New.
2. Pick your provider: Google, Outlook, iCloud, or Calendly.
3. Sign in and grant Sparkforge read access (and write, if you'll sync bookings back).

If you see a red Reconnect your integration banner or a calendar tile outlined in red, the OAuth token expired or was revoked. Click Reconnect and re-authorize. If the calendar was deleted at the provider, click Fix This and use Remove Deleted Calendars to clear the broken links.

Step 3: Configure the Linked Calendar

1. In Calendar Configuration > Linked Calendar, click Add.
2. Pick one of your Connected Calendars.
3. Click Save.

Notes:

• Writer access is required on the connected account to select it as a Linked Calendar.
• The Linked Calendar is added to the Conflict Calendar list by default — events flow both ways.
• Set sync direction in Advanced Settings.

Sync preferences

One-way sync (default)

• Sparkforge events sync to the linked external calendar
• External events sync to Sparkforge as blocked time
• No contacts created, no workflows triggered

Two-way sync

• Events sync in both directions
• External events show as appointments in Sparkforge
• Contacts are created for guests on external events
• Workflows can trigger like any other appointment

Example: a Google event from 1–2 PM titled "Doctor's Appointment with Dr. Mark" with Dr. Mark as a guest. One-way sync adds a 1–2 PM block. Two-way sync creates an actual appointment, adds Dr. Mark as a contact, and fires any matching workflows.

Conflict Calendars

Conflict Calendars block Sparkforge availability when external events mark you BUSY. Events marked FREE sync but don't block. You can attach multiple calendars as conflict sources. No appointments are created in this mode — just blocked time.

How bookings, sync, and views interact

• Booking requests: Sparkforge checks both Linked and Conflict calendars; overlapping events make slots unavailable.
• Two-way sync: with Write Back enabled, new bookings, cancellations, and reschedules push to your external calendar.
• Calendar view: external events show as shaded blocks, Sparkforge bookings as colored events, blocked slots as Unavailable.

Best practices

• Enable write-back on only your primary calendar to avoid duplicate entries.
• Link personal calendars as Conflict Calendars so personal events auto-block bookable time.
• Match the external calendar's time zone to your Sparkforge profile.
• If you change a password or security setting, reauthorize Sparkforge before the token breaks.

Common issues