- You have multiple appointments on your Outlook calendar and they all seem to blend into one. To give your appointments some color, use the color code function. Ten different colors are available for you to use. To add colors to your appointments, right-click the appointment in the calendar and then you will see a menu. Click on "Label" to see the available colors, then select the color you want to use for each appointment.
- You keep missing meetings and appointments. You may even show up late for critical meetings. To stop this, use the built-in reminder function each time you set up an appointment in Outlook calendar. Click on "Reminder" and set the function to sound a bell 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes or more before the scheduled meeting time. Make sure your computer's speakers are on and turned up.
- Use Outlook calendar to keep up with holidays and birthdays. To automatically add holidays to your calendar, click on "Tools" and select "Options." Next, click "Calendar Options," then choose "Add Holidays." After you add the holidays, then load birthdays and set reminders so you will never miss another special occasion. Include in the reminder information possible gifts to purchase and what kind of card to send.
- Instead of using a piece of paper to plan your day, use your Outlook calendar to keep up with activities you need to do, tasks you need to complete with other individuals and appointments outside of work. If you use a smartphone or PDA, sync your device with your Outlook calendar so you will have your calendar with you when you are not at the office. Use the Outlook calendar for all your scheduling needs--car and house repairs and other projects. To quickly create and appointment on your calendar, click on the day of the event, drag over the block of time of the appointment and start typing what you have to do or where.
- Need a way to track what you are working on? Your Outlook calendar is the answer. Whenever you start a project or assignment, create a new appointment with the starting time of the project and, when you are done, enter the ending time. When you look back on the calendar, you can see how long you worked on the project.
