Enhance Google Calendar with These 5 Greasemonkey Scripts
Greasemonkey and User Scripting for Firefox
Greasemonkey is a powerful extension for the Firefox web browser. It enables the installation of user-defined Javascripts, often referred to as scripts.
These scripts have the capability to modify the behavior and presentation of websites. This modification occurs without requiring any alterations to the website's original source code.
Consequently, Greasemonkey scripts provide a means to improve the user experience on websites you don't control. This can involve visual enhancements, error corrections, or the addition of new features.
Enhancing Google Calendar with Greasemonkey Scripts
This article details five Greasemonkey scripts specifically designed to improve the functionality of Google Calendar.
Installation and Setup
Prior to utilizing any of the scripts mentioned below, the Greasemonkey addon must be installed in Firefox.
Following a Firefox restart, you will be able to install scripts directly. The effects of these scripts are generally immediate, though a page reload may sometimes be necessary.
Further Resources
For those new to Greasemonkey, a comprehensive introduction can be found in Aibek's article, “Greasemonkey Makes Firefox Unbeatable.”
This resource provides a solid foundation for understanding the capabilities and benefits of user scripting in Firefox.
Customizing the Current Day's Color in Google Calendar
While perhaps not essential, a minor modification can add a touch of personalization to your Google Calendar experience. This adjustment alters the highlighting color used to denote the current day. By default, this is a pale blue.
To modify this color, direct editing of the script is required. Fortunately, this process is straightforward and easily accomplished.
Accessing and Editing the User Script
If you are using Firefox, locate the Greasemonkey icon – a monkey's head – in the browser's lower right corner. A single left-click will disable Greasemonkey functionality.
However, to edit the script, a right-click is necessary. From the context menu, choose > Manage User Scripts.... This action will launch the Greasemonkey management window.
Within the Greasemonkey window, locate and select the > Google Calendar - Today's Color script from the displayed list. Then, click the > Edit button situated in the bottom left corner of the window.
Upon the first attempt to edit, you will be prompted to choose an application for opening the script file. Select > C:\Windows\notepad.exe to load the script into Notepad.
Comprehensive instructions for making the desired color changes are included directly within the script's code. Remember to save any alterations you make to the file.
Maximizing Google Calendar with a Persistent Script
A straightforward script enables full-screen calendar maximization in Google Calendar by pressing the F12 key. This action effectively hides both the calendar header and the sidebar for an uncluttered view.
Reactivating the script, again with F12, restores the calendar to its original display configuration.
How the Script Functions
The script operates as a toggle. Pressing F12 initiates the maximized view, while a subsequent press of F12 reverts to the standard calendar layout.
This provides a quick and efficient method for focusing solely on the calendar's date grid, enhancing usability.
Google Calendar - Weekend Coloration
This script modifies the appearance of Google Calendar by applying a distinct color to weekend days.
Specifically, Saturday and Sunday will be visually differentiated from weekdays.
Adjusting for Sunday Start
If your Google Calendar is configured to begin the week on a Sunday, this script is designed to function correctly with that setting.
It will still accurately highlight the weekend days, regardless of the week's starting day.
The intention is to improve visual clarity and quickly identify non-working days within your schedule.
Integrating Facebook Events with Google Calendar
This script focuses on improving the functionality of Facebook, rather than directly altering Google Calendar. It introduces a Google Calendar button directly within Facebook event pages.
Selecting this button automatically transfers the event information to Google Calendar. Users are then redirected to their Google Calendar interface to finalize and save the event as a scheduled appointment.
How the Integration Works
The process streamlines event management by eliminating manual data entry. Event details, such as time and description, are copied seamlessly.
A comparable script exists that facilitates the transfer of events from Facebook to Google Calendar, offering a similar user experience.
Key Benefit: This integration simplifies the process of synchronizing events between these two popular platforms.
The script provides a convenient method for users who rely on both Facebook for event discovery and Google Calendar for scheduling.
GmailAgenda: Integrating Google Calendar with Gmail
This enhancement focuses on streamlining access to your Google Calendar directly within the Gmail interface. The script functions by incorporating designated Google Calendars into your Gmail account.
These calendars are then displayed in a convenient agenda format, presented in a sidebar located on the right-hand side of the screen.
Two dedicated buttons, positioned in the upper right corner, provide users with the ability to select the specific calendars they wish to view and to collapse the agenda when not needed.
An initial development goal was to create a script enabling the assignment of distinct colors to events within a single calendar. Unfortunately, achieving functionality with GCal Event Color Codes proved challenging.
It’s possible this incompatibility stems from a conflict with another browser extension currently in use, so testing it independently is still recommended.
Since the start of the current year, the Greasemonkey extension has also become available for the Chrome browser. Consequently, several of the scripts mentioned are now compatible with Chrome.
Justin has authored a piece detailing 5 Awesome Greasemonkey Scripts That Work In Chrome, offering further insight into this expanded compatibility.
Further reading on Greasemonkey scripts can be found in these articles:
- 9 Greasemonkey Scripts For More Productive Google Search, authored by Ann.
- How To Hack Your Facebook Account with Greasemonkey & Javascript, written by Simon.
We are interested in hearing your recommendations. What Greasemonkey scripts do you find most valuable?