Start/notes.ini Parameters/FeedRefreshInterval

FeedRefreshInterval

Parameter: FeedRefreshInterval
Short description: Refresh interval (seconds) for iCal feed overlays in the Notes calendar. Default 3600 (one hour).

Profile

Parameter
FeedRefreshInterval
Category
Client configuration
Component
Client
Available since
10.0
Supported versions
10.0, 11.0, 12.0, 14.0, 14.5, 14.5.1
GUI equivalent
Person document / policy (Desktop Settings → Custom Settings)
Possible values
Positive integer in seconds • default 3600 (1 h) • typical values: 300 (5 min), 600 (10 min), 1800 (30 min)

Description

FeedRefreshInterval determines how often the Notes client re-pulls iCalendar feed overlays from the source server. The parameter has been documented since HCL Domino 10 as a companion to AddCalendarURL: while AddCalendarURL provides the URL of a new overlay, FeedRefreshInterval controls its refresh frequency.
Without explicit setting, the refresh interval is 3600 seconds (one hour). A shorter interval is recommended if the configured feed changes frequently — for example, helpdesk shift schedules, real-time CRM appointments, short-notice club/school calendars, or status pages of external services exposed as ICS feeds.
Important: The value only takes effect if the user has enabled the „Refresh this calendar frequently (Use only for calendars that change often)“ option when adding the overlay. If this checkbox is not set, the overlay remains at the default refresh behavior and the parameter has no effect.

Example configuration

Client notes.ini (15 minutes):
FeedRefreshInterval=900
Bundled with AddCalendarURL per Desktop Settings policy:
AddCalendarURL=https://intranet.example.com/feeds/team-events.ics
FeedRefreshInterval=600
Via Desktop Settings policy (Domino Directory → People & Groups → Settings → Desktop Settings → Custom Settings → Notes.ini):
Item:  FeedRefreshInterval
Value: 1800

Notes & pitfalls

  • Only takes effect if the user has enabled „Refresh this calendar frequently“ in the overlay dialog — otherwise the default refresh remains.
  • Applies only to iCalendar feeds (http(s)://…/.ics) — Notes application overlays and Google Calendar overlays use other refresh mechanisms and ignore the parameter.
  • Very small values (< 60 s) generate unnecessary load on the source servers and can trigger rate limits/HTTP 429 there.
  • Value is client-side; must be active on every Notes client that consumes the feed. Cleanest distribution via Desktop Settings policy.
  • Changes only take effect after restarting the Notes client or with the next policy refresh.
  • Has no effect on the original ICS download of the overlay — that always happens when first added.

Sources (HCL Product Documentation)