Joshua Zimmerman

iCal is a nice calendar program that will keep you on track. If you're using an iPod or a Palm handheld you can export your iCal calendars to them for scheduling on the go. In this guide I'll show you how to set up your school schedule, so you can keep on task. If you need any scheduling help at all, iCal can be that help for you. Its simple interface often takes away form its powerful features and ability to work with other programs within OS X.

iCal and the Dock

If you stick iCal in the dock, and leave it open, the icon will change to show the date. By default it shows July 17th, but it changes as soon as you open the program to reflect the current date. This is kinda cool, btu only if you always leave the program (you can close the window) open.

Making A Calendar

iCal can handle several calendars at once. You can color change them so that the various events have the same color as a certain calendar. This is handy for separating your various events and schedules.

Open up iCal. It should be in your Applications folder by default. If you have a newer Mac it should be on your computer, if you don't you can download it via Software Update. On the left is the Calendars column. By default you will probably have one or two premade ones. You can double click on the name to rename them, or you can right click (control click) to delete them. You can make as many as you want by clicking on the big + button at the botton left of the window. If you click on one a drawer should slide out to the left or right of the main window. You can edit the name in here, the color, and add a description. I call this draw the Info Drawer, you'll be seeing more of it. If it doesn't open for you (or you want it to go away) you can click on the i button in the lower right corner of the screen. (Ok, if you're not using 10.3 or an older version of iCal you won't get the drawer, you'll get a window by clicking on the i button)

Add an Event

So you now should have a couple of Calendars made and you want to start adding events. Highlight the Calendar you want the events to fall under. Thank go to the big weekly Calendar listing in the middle and click and drag at the point where you want your event to be. Don't worry if you're not exact, you can fine tune it later. Once you let go you can change the name of your event, move the event around, or modify it using the Info Drawer. If you want to delete it, just click once on the event and hit the DELETE key.

The Info Drawer

The drawer if your friend. You can do most anything with it. You can fine tune the time of your event if you need to, or change what calendar its assigned to. Adding notes is kinda nice too, if you need to remember some important details. The most handy of these tools id the repeat option. This allows you to make the event happen more than once. Such as making a class appear every day. Once you've chosen when you want the event to repeat an option for end will appear. Because we don't want the event to go on forever, give it an ending date.

Chose how to repeat

Make it eventually end

You can also set an Alarm for your event, if you're the forgetful type of person. Everything in the Info Drawer is very clear, and you shouldn't have a problem figuring it out.

To Do List

You can have a virtual To Do List if you wish. In the bottom right of the iCal window there are three buttons. The middle one brings up the To Do List column and you can add your list. The To Do Items are color coded to your various Calendars. To assign them to a calender just click on the calendar, and than double click in the To Do Items column. If you forget, don't worry. Our old friend Info Drawer can change anything. You can also assign it a Priority, due date, or mark it completed.

Feeding Fish is always important

If you wish to delete a To Do Item just highlight it and hit the DELETE key.

Exporting and Importing

You can export your Calendar or import one if someone sends it to you. Just go up to File and down to Import or export. That should do it for you.

The Calendar within a Calendar

In the lower left you should see a monthly calendar. The highlighted days are the days your big calendar column (the one with your events on it) currently display. You can change the days your calendar column shows by clicking on the monthly calendar. If your mothly calendar isn't there, you can make it appear (or disappear) by clicking on a little calendar button next to the + button.

Thats about everything for iCal I can think of. You can export your calendars to your iPod or PDA via iSync. If you need a simple and quick calendar program iCal is the program for you.

-Joshua