This software allows users to extract text from emails and easily identify important dates and times, which can then be directly inserted into iCal for easy scheduling.
Text2cal is an innovative service that enables you to extract all the vital text from your email at once, select significant dates and times from the extracted text, and insert the result directly into iCal. To make things even easier, Text2cal also makes informed guesses about relevant dates and times, although it is currently only compatible with US dates (month/day/year) - support for day/month/year compatibility option is forthcoming.
The focus starts in the event title field where you can manually type in the event title or select an appropriate title in the text and press command-L. If nothing is selected, command-L simply takes you to the field. For the date and time, you can select the field and use the up and down arrows on your keyboard to choose a date or time from the ones guessed from the email. The selected date or time will highlight in the text to show you its context. This feature makes it easier for you to identify potential dates represented by red, times in green, while the menu is open. You can also click on dates or times directly in the text to select them.
If a specific part of the text can represent either a date or a time, your click may be confused as to which one you want. In this case, click again, and the data will get re-interpreted as the other type. Additionally, holding shift while pressing the command key linked to this field helps you cycle through the available options. You can also enter a date or time directly, and the program will try to fill in the missing parts for ambiguous dates. For example, entering "7" into the date field will resolve to "7th" of the current month or "7th" of the next month if the current month's "7th" is in the past.
Text2cal's support for day words such as "Tuesday," "Tue," "Today," "Tomorrow," enables you to quickly make date selections using the "Days in the future" indicator above the date field. The calendars are taken directly from iCal, so the menu may be grayed out while iCal launches. You can also set the event to be all-day by toggling the "All Day" box instead of choosing a specific time and duration. You can set the duration of the event by selecting the field, then using up and down arrows to scroll through the available selections or typing the times in manually.
The location field is optional and enables you to enter the location of the event. If Text2cal can guess the location from the text, it lists it here automatically. Alternatively, you can cycle through past locations you've entered or select another location directly from the text by highlighting it and pressing command-R. The "Show iCal after making event" option sets whether iCal should come to the front and display the event you just made. It is recommended for first-time use to ensure everything is working as expected. Lastly, you can click "Make Event," once you have set all the necessary options, or press return. However, this button may be grayed out while iCal is starting up, so be patient.
The focus starts in the event title field where you can manually type in the event title or select an appropriate title in the text and press command-L. If nothing is selected, command-L simply takes you to the field. For the date and time, you can select the field and use the up and down arrows on your keyboard to choose a date or time from the ones guessed from the email. The selected date or time will highlight in the text to show you its context. This feature makes it easier for you to identify potential dates represented by red, times in green, while the menu is open. You can also click on dates or times directly in the text to select them.
If a specific part of the text can represent either a date or a time, your click may be confused as to which one you want. In this case, click again, and the data will get re-interpreted as the other type. Additionally, holding shift while pressing the command key linked to this field helps you cycle through the available options. You can also enter a date or time directly, and the program will try to fill in the missing parts for ambiguous dates. For example, entering "7" into the date field will resolve to "7th" of the current month or "7th" of the next month if the current month's "7th" is in the past.
Text2cal's support for day words such as "Tuesday," "Tue," "Today," "Tomorrow," enables you to quickly make date selections using the "Days in the future" indicator above the date field. The calendars are taken directly from iCal, so the menu may be grayed out while iCal launches. You can also set the event to be all-day by toggling the "All Day" box instead of choosing a specific time and duration. You can set the duration of the event by selecting the field, then using up and down arrows to scroll through the available selections or typing the times in manually.
The location field is optional and enables you to enter the location of the event. If Text2cal can guess the location from the text, it lists it here automatically. Alternatively, you can cycle through past locations you've entered or select another location directly from the text by highlighting it and pressing command-R. The "Show iCal after making event" option sets whether iCal should come to the front and display the event you just made. It is recommended for first-time use to ensure everything is working as expected. Lastly, you can click "Make Event," once you have set all the necessary options, or press return. However, this button may be grayed out while iCal is starting up, so be patient.
What's New
Version 1.03 Beta 1 / 1.01: N/A