You can find your Google Calendar API key in the Google Cloud Console. Here's how:
- Go to the Google Cloud Console.
- In the Cloud Console, navigate to Menu (the three horizontal lines in the top-left corner) > APIs & Services > Credentials.
- Click Create credentials and select API key.
- Your new API key will be displayed.
- Click the Copy icon (content_copy) to copy the API key to your clipboard for use in your application's code.
Important Considerations:
- Security: Treat your API key like a password. Do not embed it directly in client-side code (like JavaScript) where it can be exposed. Use it only on your server or secure backend. Consider using API key restrictions for added security.
- Key Restrictions: After creating your API key, it's highly recommended to restrict its usage to only the Google Calendar API and to only your specific application(s). This minimizes the potential damage if the key is compromised. You can do this in the "API restrictions" and "Application restrictions" sections after clicking the pencil icon next to your API key on the Credentials page.
- Billing: Using the Google Calendar API may incur charges depending on your usage. Review the Google Calendar API pricing to understand the costs associated with your use.
- Alternatives: Consider using OAuth 2.0 for user authentication and authorization rather than an API Key. OAuth 2.0 offers more security as it doesn't expose a single key and grants access based on user permissions. However, for simple read-only access (like displaying a public calendar), an API key might suffice if properly secured.
