Q: I use Google Calendar. I am the author of all entries in this calendar. Sometimes I use my phone to make entries into a calendar on the phone (Droid). The lap top and phone are synced to accept updates once refreshed. I have several entries in Google Calendar which I wish to delete. Birthday entries that I have color coded in Calendar in the color purple. Google will not let me delete these individual entries. … Also many times Google prints a message that says I am not authorized to delete the event even though I entered the info, I am the only user of this computer and I am the only authorized person to use this computer. So how do I delete the entry? Or what do I have to change in my operating system or Google software? ~ David Hutchings, Denver
A: It could always be a glitch or bug and out of your control. Make sure Google Chrome or whatever browser you’re using is up to date (usually you can find an “About” in settings and see what version the software is on and whether it needs to be updated). But if it’s in your control, :
- Best to do this on a computer. So start in Google Calendar here:
- Delete the event: Either click the little trash can when you open the event OR open the event, find “More actions” and select “Delete.”
- Delete one or all recurring events: Same as above but after hitting “Delete,” you see the options to either delete just this one event or more.
- Delete an event you were invited to: You’ll need to find “remove” to leave that invitee’s event.
But if it won’t delete, it still may be in your control. Some users online found strange fixes to undeletable items (and some of these tips are years old but may still be applicable):
- Clear the browser’s cache or cookies in case some bad memory is lingering in the system.
- It could be a conflict with a browser extension or add-on. Use Google Chrome in incognito mode to see if the issue is still there. Incognito mode (hit Ctrl+Shift+N on PCs or the Apple key +Shift+N on a Mac) lets you browse privately, .
- One person mentioned that he couldn’t delete a canceled event. He traced the event’s end date to several years in the future and was able to delete it at that point.
- Another person removed all the people who shared the calendar and then deleted it and it worked.
- Another person discovered the event in question was originally on a Mac iCal calendar, which is why after deleting it in Google, it kept reappearing. The person deleted the event in iCal and it finally gone. Tip: Check your other non-Google calendars you may use, such as Microsoft Outlook.
I’d also suggest keeping recurring events, like birthdays, on a separate Google Calendar, which can be dropped in — or out — of your regular work week with the press of a digital button.
On a computer, pull up Google Calendar and note on the lower left side, you’ll see My calendars. Click the plus button to create new ones or add a coworker’s or third-party calendar. Those will then show up also on the lower left and can be checked or unchecked when you want to clutter up your calendar view or clean it up on demand.
And don’t forget, with synced calendars on different devices, there could be a delay. If you have other sync issues, review these official calender tips on Google’s site:
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