[
    {
        "role": "user",
        "content": "as%20a%20screen%20reader%20user%2C%20can%20I%20enter%20appointments%20in%20microsoft%20outlook%2C%20but%20they%20will%20show%20as%20free%20in%20my%20calendar%20for%20everyone%20else%3F"
    },
    {
        "role": "assistant",
        "content": "Yes\u2014you *can* enter appointments in Microsoft Outlook so that **you** see them, but everyone else only sees them as \u201cfree\u201d (i.e. they don\u2019t block out your availability). There are a couple of ways to do this, depending on exactly what you want. I'll explain what\u2019s possible, what settings to use, and what might limit your options\u2014especially using Outlook with a screen reader.\n\n---\n\n## \u2705 What you can do: \u201cShow As: Free\u201d\n\nWhen you create or edit a calendar item (appointment, meeting, event) in Outlook, you can set the **\u201cShow As\u201d** status. The options include Free, Busy, Tentative, Out of Office, etc. ([uvm.edu](https://www.uvm.edu/it/kb/article/show-as-status-setting-in-new-calendar-events/?utm_source=openai))\n\n- **If you want others to see you as available** during that time (your calendar doesn\u2019t block it off for them scheduling meetings), you choose **Free**. ([learn.microsoft.com](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-sg/answers/questions/5867971/making-appointments-on-bookings-show-as-free-on-ou?utm_source=openai))  \n- Others will still see the appointment (unless you use \u201cPrivate\u201d or restrict sharing permissions), but your free/busy status will show as free. ([learn.microsoft.com](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-sg/answers/questions/5867971/making-appointments-on-bookings-show-as-free-on-ou?utm_source=openai))\n\n---\n\n## \ud83d\udd12 Sharing permissions\n\nEven if you set \u201cShow As: Free\u201d, what others see depends on your calendar\u2019s sharing settings:\n\n- You can limit what others see to \u201cFree/Busy\u201d only\u2014so they see when you are busy or free, but **not** the details (title, location, etc.). ([it.cornell.edu](https://it.cornell.edu/microsoft-outlook/freebusy-settings-microsoft-365-calendar?utm_source=openai))\n- If someone has permission to see more (titles, location), then they may see more\u2014but still the \u201cShow As\u201d status governs whether you appear busy or free to them in scheduling tools. ([it.cornell.edu](https://it.cornell.edu/microsoft-outlook/freebusy-settings-microsoft-365-calendar?utm_source=openai))\n\n---\n\n## \ud83e\uddd1\u200d\ud83e\uddaf What works well with screen readers\n\nUsing Outlook with a screen reader, you can:\n\n1. Create a new appointment or meeting using keyboard shortcuts (e.g. Ctrl+Shift+2 to open Calendar view, then Ctrl+N). ([support.microsoft.com](https://support.microsoft.com/en-US/accessibility/outlook/use-a-screen-reader-to-schedule-appointments-or-meetings-in-outlook?utm_source=openai))  \n2. Navigate to the \u201cShow As\u201d field using Tab / Shift+Tab, and choose \u201cFree\u201d from the list. ([learn.microsoft.com](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-sg/answers/questions/5867971/making-appointments-on-bookings-show-as-free-on-ou?utm_source=openai))  \n3. Save or send the event.\n\nSo it is fully accessible: you do not need mouse control. Menu items like \u201cShow As\u201d and \u201cShow As \u2192 Free\u201d are reachable via keyboard. ([learn.microsoft.com](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-sg/answers/questions/5867971/making-appointments-on-bookings-show-as-free-on-ou?utm_source=openai))\n\n---\n\n## \u26a0\ufe0f Things that may *not* do what you want\n\nHere are limits or cases where it won\u2019t work exactly:\n\n- If the event is **set to Private**, others see blocked (busy) time\u2014\u201cPrivate\u201d always shows as a blocked/Busy period (even if you want it hidden) to others with lower permissions. ([uvm.edu](https://www.uvm.edu/it/kb/article/show-as-status-setting-in-new-calendar-events/?utm_source=openai))  \n- If you **invite others** to the meeting, your \u201cShow As\u201d Free or Busy status only affects your calendar. It does *not* control how the event appears on other people\u2019s calendars. Each attendee\u2019s calendar will show their own Show As status as set on their own copy of the appointment. ([reddit.com](https://www.reddit.com/r/Outlook/comments/1op4yy3?utm_source=openai))  \n- Some default settings may have events created with \u201cBusy\u201d status automatically, so you\u2019ll need to change that manually for each event if you want it to appear as Free. ([learn.microsoft.com](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/4607839/outlook-calendar-change-default-settings-%28show-as%29?utm_source=openai))\n\n---\n\nIf you like, I can walk you through *exact keystrokes or screen-reader steps* in your particular version of Outlook (Windows, Mac, Web, etc.) to ensure you can set this every time. Do you want me to do that?"
    }
]