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How to quickly set calendar times in OS X

If needed, you can take advantage of the OS X Calendar's ability to identify time frames to enter events faster.

Topher Kessler MacFixIt Editor
Topher, an avid Mac user for the past 15 years, has been a contributing author to MacFixIt since the spring of 2008. One of his passions is troubleshooting Mac problems and making the best use of Macs and Apple hardware at home and in the workplace.
Topher Kessler
2 min read

Apple's built-in Calendar application in OS X is a convenient calendaring tool to have; however, its default method of entering calendar dates may be a bit cumbersome by first appearances.

When you first enter an event in Calendar, you select the calendar you wish to use and then double-click the date on which to create the event. You can then title the event accordingly. By default this action creates an all-day event that will further need to be refined by editing it to adjust its time frame. While those who use Calendar may find this somewhat acceptable though a bit cumbersome, Calendar does support a couple of other entry options to make specific calendar entries easier to do.

Calendar Quick-Entry button
The Quick-Entry button can be used to make calendar events on mentioned dates and times. Screenshot by Topher Kessler/CNET
  1. The quick-entry button.
    Next to the calendar list is a button with a plus sign in it, which is the Quick-Entry button for events. When you click the button a text field will pop up in which you can provide a quick event name followed by time and date descriptions that will have Calendar place the event accordingly.
  2. Smart titles
    While the quick-entry is convenient, you may find yourself wishing to browse through and preferring to assign an event on the day it starts by double-clicking that day. While as mentioned above this action defaults to creating a full-day event, you can customize it quickly by supplying time information in its title.

    Calendar event times in event titles
    Entering date and time information in event titles can also be used to set calendar times in OS X. Screenshot by Topher Kessler/CNET
    For example, if your date on that day is a movie from 7 to 9 p.m., then you can type "Movie at 7-9pm" or similar text to have Calendar use that time frame.

    Various combinations of times work, and you can use some common keywords to describe your time frame, including "at" for basic times ("at 6pm"), "to" for time windows ("at 7 to 9pm"), or "until" for longer time frames that span multiple days ("9pm until 1/23/2013").

    By exploring around with these options in Calendar event titles, you can likely find some easy ways to enter calendar events without continuously needing to edit them.


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