Unable to delete Microsoft Outlook Events. They just get marked with prefix "Canceled event:"

Question and Answers
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1

I am working on a cross calendar domain service where hosts can invite guests to their event. This particular case involves a Google host inviting a Microsoft guest, and then the Google host cancels the event.

For the Google host, we see that the event is removed from their Google Calendar successfully, but for the Microsoft guest, when they check their Outlook calendar, they still see the event but with the prefix “Canceled event:”. I want that event deleted.

Screenshot 2026-01-13 at 3.44.31 PM
Screenshot 2026-01-13 at 3.44.31 PM486×340 13.5 KB

This event should be removed entirely, not just renamed. How do I do that?

2

Hello,

We’d be happy to help.

When a Google Calendar host deletes an event:

  1. Google sends a CANCELLED notification to all attendees
  2. Microsoft Outlook receives this cancellation
  3. Outlook’s native behavior is to mark the event with “Canceled event:” prefix and keep it on the calendar rather than deleting it

This is a Microsoft design choice baked into Outlook/Exchange, not something Nylas or Google can override.

Feel free to reach out if you have any questions.

Many thanks,
Samuel R.
Support Engineer, Nylas

3

Thanks for the reply Samuel! From what you mentioned, it sounds like there isn’t a way to delete that event via the Nylas API. Are there any workarounds you’d suggest as I can imagine this is a common scenario? I have a strict requirement of removing the event from Outlook entirely.

I can try looking into deleting directly via the Outlook API if there is one.

4

Hello,

In the scenario you mentioned, which one is the Nylas grant? The Google organizer or the Microsoft guest?

Many thanks,
Samuel R.
Support Engineer, Nylas

5

In this scenario, the Google organizer is the Nylas grant. The Google organizer handles both the create and delete event operations; the Microsoft guest is just a passive observer.

6

Hello,

That’s the scenario. The grant you have access to is the Google grant, so you are unable to delete events from a calendar for which you do not have credentials. If the guest also has a grant, then you are able to delete the event, but not from the Google account. This is not a Nylas rule, but rather a rule enforced by the calendar provider.

Let me know if you have any question.

Many thanks,
Samuel R.
Support Engineer, Nylas