How to Create Custom Calendar Labels in Outlook

Microsoft Outlook provides a versatile tool to organize schedules for work, school, home and family. The calendar module includes categories and views to sort schedule information. Assign category labels to track different types of activities for tasks, appointments and email messages. Filter a calendar view to display only selected categories, such as work or family activities. Customize calendar labels for easy reference and assign these category labels for all appointments. Outlook 2007 features an updated process for managing calendars and category labels within the toolbar format.

Instructions

Outlook 2002-2003

1. Launch Outlook and select the Calendar module.

2. Select "Label" under "Edit" in the top menu bar and select the option, "Edit Labels" to display an editable list of labels.

3. Select and highlight the contents of a field next to a desired color and type text to replace the contents, thereby customizing the label.

4. Repeat step 3 for each desired calendar label field.

5. Click the "OK" button to save these settings.

Outlook 2007

1. Launch Outlook and create a new calendar entry by selecting "New Appointment" under the "New" button in the main toolbar.

2. Select "All categories" under the "Categorize" button in the toolbar at the top of the Appointment window to display a "Color Categories" dialog box.

3. Add a new label category by clicking the "New" button and typing text in the field next to "Name." Select the label color from the drop down menu next to "Color" and click the "OK" button to create a new category.

4. Revise existing (or default) categories by selecting a category label and then clicking the "Rename" button.

5. Click the "OK" button in the "Color Categories" window to close the dialog box.

References

• Microsoft: Organize Your Calendar With Outlook 2003 Calendar View Add-in
• Microsoft: How Categories and Calendar Labels from Earlier Versions are Updated for Office Outlook 2007