What to look for in an online family calendar

Let’s explore family calendars—and what you should look for in one.

What is a family calendar?

A family calendar is a single calendar used by two or more family members. It lists every family member’s commitments, which might include events, appointments, holidays, and bills. Of course, some include full daily schedules, too.

Family calendars can be online or in print. Many families use both types. They may hang a large, printed version on a kitchen wall, where they track significant events. Then they may keep a more detailed version online.

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Why would I want an online family calendar?

Printed family calendars are useful. Families often hang one in a central part of their homes. They can check it and update it when they pass by. It helps everyone recall important events and make plans around them.

Online calendars, like Outlook Calendar, offer extra benefits. They empower you and family members to:

• Share personal calendars. Each family member can manage their own schedule. Plus, they can share it with the entire group. Shared calendars show up on your main calendar. Moreover, you can give them different colors to tell them apart. These tools also offer private settings, or you can hide event details from family members if necessary.
• Use your calendar from anywhere. You can access your calendar from any location that has Wi-Fi. You’ll be able to see, edit, and share it as long as you have the right password and a device with an internet connection. So can family members.
• Update calendars in real-time. Online family calendars update automatically. You always have access to the most recent version of everyone’s schedule. Everyone has access to the most current version of your calendar, too. Plus, you can receive notifications about any changes made to others’ events.
• Send reminders for important events. You may need help remembering events or bills. An online family calendar allows you to set reminders for these items. You can send yourself and family members alerts that show up on their desktops or phones.
• Use a clear, uncluttered format. Online calendars are less messy than most printed versions. You don’t have to write occasions in tiny letters, so everyone’s schedule will fit. Additionally, you don’t have to scribble over old events if you need to make changes. Not to mention, dealing with anyone’s cryptic handwriting. Having a flexible format makes it easier to get organized.
• Add full schedules. Online calendars can expand to allow you to insert more writing. You can use them to record full agendas as well as big events. Creating a broad schedule can help you achieve an excellent work-life balance.

What should I look for in an online family calendar?

You’ll find a lot of calendar tools online. Look for several fundamental features while searching through your options. Here are some features to consider:

• Sharing features. You should be able to share your calendar with your family. They should also be able to share their schedules with you. Any edits to events or new events should update right away.
• Cross-device performance. Any online calendar should work well with all of your connected devices. You should be able to add, edit, and share events with a smartphone, tablet, laptop, or desktop.
• Privacy. Calendars can hold sensitive data. Only people with explicit permission should be able to see your events. You should also be able to change privacy levels for each event.
• Extra features. Extra features can make it even easier to organize your family. Look for a tool that offers reminders. You will also want to be able to color-code your events. That will help you know which occasions are yours and which belong to others at a glance.
• Ease of use. Online family calendars offer advanced features. That doesn’t mean they should be hard to use. Each member of your family should find it easy to add, edit, and share events.

Using an online family calendar to stay on track

An online family calendar will make it easy for your family to share and update their schedules. It can help you keep track of what you need to take care of or attend. Ultimately, the right tool for you is one that will keep everyone on the same page.