The 83-year-old faces nine counts of indecent assault and four of making indecent images of a child.
Harris was excused from attending Monday's preliminary hearing before Mr Justice Nicol at the Old Bailey in London.
A plea hearing at Southwark Crown Court was provisionally set for January 14.
Harris' trial will start on April 30.
The Australian-born artist, musician and TV presenter was questioned under caution last November by officers working on Operation Yewtree, the investigation into abuse claims against Jimmy Savile.
He was arrested in March and charged in August.
The allegations against him have no connection to Savile.
Harris, who has lived in Bray, Berkshire, for more than 50 years, has been in the public eye for decades.
He fronted the popular TV programme Animal Hospital and had several musical hits.
He painted a portrait of the Queen in 2005 and performed at her Diamond Jubilee concert last year.
