This article describes how to use Google calendars together with Lightning. You can use Google calendars in two ways. You can either have read-only access to public calendars or you can use a bi-directional calendar, with both read and write-access. __TOC__ = Read access = If you only need read-access to a Google calendar, you can use the link of the public ICS file which is provided by Google, as indicated on this Google Help article: [http://www.google.com/support/calendar/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=37648 View from other applications] = Read and write access = iCalendar (ICS) does not provide write access to your Google Calendar, but from (at least Version 78.6.1, but maybe earlier) you can use the built-in CalDAV support for bi-directional synchronisation. The optional add-on 'Provider for Google Calendar' is also still available. == Use CalDAV == This process will require connection to your Google account using OAuth for authentication. To support this process you will need to check two aspects of Thunderbird's web security before trying to connecting to your Google account. === Check Security Settings === # Select {menu Edit->Preferences} # Select Privacy & Security # Under Web Content ensure that '''Accept Cookies from site''' is enabled # Under Passwords select ''Saved Passwords...'' and ensure that no previously cached passwords for Google are in this list. === Add Google Calendar using CalDAV === # Select {menu File->New->Calendar...} # In the Create New Calendar dialog, Choose ''On the Network'' # Click ''Next'' # Choose ''CalDAV'' # In ''User name'' enter your Google email address # Location enter the following path: '''https://apidata.googleusercontent.com/caldav/v2/<your_email_here>/events''' replacing the marked section with your Google email address. # Click ''Next'' # Complete the log in process using your Google credentials, including 2-factor authentication if required. == Troubleshooting == If you find that web dialog keeps resetting when you attempt to enter your credentials with probably indicates that you either have a cached incorrect password from a previous session, or you do not have cookies enabled. Double-check that you have completed the steps under Check Security Settings above. == Provider for Google Calendar == === Downloading Provider for Google Calendar === If you need both read and write access to your calendar, you can still install the Provider for Google Calendar from addons.mozilla.org. #Open the [https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/thunderbird/addon/4631/ Provider for Google Calendar] addon website. #Download the file by right-clicking on the ''Download now'' link and choosing {menu Save as}. === Installing and configuring the add-on === # To install the add-on, click the menu button [[Image:New Fx Menu]] or select the {menu Tools} menu from the Thunderbird menu bar and choose Add-ons. The ''Add-ons Manager'' page will open. # Click [[Image:Add-on Tools Icon]] on the ''Add-ons Manager'' page and then select {menu Install Add-on From File...}. # Locate the downloaded file on your machine and click {button Open}. # You will be prompted to install. Click {button Install Now} to complete the installation. <!--== Getting an XML link to your calendar == To access your calendar data, you need to retrieve your private XML URL from the Google Calendar UI: # Open your Google Calendar by going to [http://www.google.com/calendar the Google calendar website]. # Select {menu Settings} from the top and select the {menu Calendars} link at the top of the settings page. A list of Google calendars will be displayed. # Click on the Calendar you would like to use in Lightning. # On the {menu Calendar details} page of your calendar, scroll down until you see ''Calendar address'' and ''Private address''. # Right-click the {button XML} button of one of the two options and select {menu Copy link location}. Note that the provider does not directly use your private url. The Calendar is still accessible when you reset your private url. You may now use this url as the Location in the new remote calendar wizard. The private link will look something like: [http://www.google.com/calendar/feeds/username%40gmail.com/private-1ba218e6a25bfc32b25a4eb3f9ee6d96/basic http://www.google.com/calendar/feeds/username%40gmail.com/private-1ba218e6a25bfc32b25a4eb3f9ee6d96/basic]. Be sure not to use the ics-link but the XML-link!--> <!--//outdated?--> == Importing the calendar into Lightning == To import the calendar into Lightning: # Go to the Thunderbird's {menu File} menu and select {menu New}. From the sub-menu, select {menu Calendar}. # Once the wizard opens, select {menu On the network} from the available options and click {for win,linux}{button Next}{/for}{for mac}{button Continue}{/for}. # Choose ''Google Calendar''. # Click {for win,linux}{button Next}{/for}{for mac}{button Continue}{/for}. # Enter your Google email address and click {for win,linux}{button Next}{/for}{for mac}{button Continue}{/for}. # If prompted, enter your Gmail account details and allow the Provider for Google Calendar add-on to manage your calendars. # Choose the calendars you want to use in Thunderbird. # Click {for win,linux}{button Next}{/for}{for mac}{button Continue}{/for}. # You'll get a confirmation that your calendar has been created. Click {for win,linux}{button Finish}{/for}{for mac}{button Done}{/for}. There's still some limitations with using the google-calendar, please see the [http://wiki.mozilla.org/Calendar:GDATA_Provider#Bugs_and_Limitations GData provider page on wiki.mozilla.org].

This article describes how to use Google calendars together with Lightning. You can use Google calendars in two ways. You can either have read-only access to public calendars or you can use a bi-directional calendar, with both read and write-access.

Read access

If you only need read-access to a Google calendar, you can use the link of the public ICS file which is provided by Google, as indicated on this Google Help article: View from other applications

Read and write access

iCalendar (ICS) does not provide write access to your Google Calendar, but from (at least Version 78.6.1, but maybe earlier) you can use the built-in CalDAV support for bi-directional synchronisation. The optional add-on 'Provider for Google Calendar' is also still available.

Use CalDAV

This process will require connection to your Google account using OAuth for authentication. To support this process you will need to check two aspects of Thunderbird's web security before trying to connecting to your Google account.

Check Security Settings

1. Select Edit->Preferences
2. Select Privacy & Security
3. Under Web Content ensure that Accept Cookies from site is enabled
4. Under Passwords select Saved Passwords... and ensure that no previously cached passwords for Google are in this list.

Add Google Calendar using CalDAV

1. Select File->New->Calendar...
2. In the Create New Calendar dialog, Choose On the Network
3. Click Next
4. Choose CalDAV
5. In User name enter your Google email address
6. Location enter the following path:

https://apidata.googleusercontent.com/caldav/v2/<your_email_here>/events

replacing the marked section with your Google email address.

1. Click Next
2. Complete the log in process using your Google credentials, including 2-factor authentication if required.

Troubleshooting

If you find that web dialog keeps resetting when you attempt to enter your credentials with probably indicates that you either have a cached incorrect password from a previous session, or you do not have cookies enabled. Double-check that you have completed the steps under Check Security Settings above.

Provider for Google Calendar

Downloading Provider for Google Calendar

If you need both read and write access to your calendar, you can still install the Provider for Google Calendar from addons.mozilla.org.

1. Open the Provider for Google Calendar addon website.
2. Download the file by right-clicking on the Download now link and choosing Save as.

Installing and configuring the add-on

1. To install the add-on, click the menu button or select the Tools menu from the Thunderbird menu bar and choose Add-ons. The Add-ons Manager page will open.
2. Click on the Add-ons Manager page and then select Install Add-on From File....
3. Locate the downloaded file on your machine and click Open.
4. You will be prompted to install. Click Install Now to complete the installation.

Importing the calendar into Lightning

To import the calendar into Lightning:

1. Go to the Thunderbird's File menu and select New. From the sub-menu, select Calendar.
2. Once the wizard opens, select On the network from the available options and click NextContinue.
3. Choose Google Calendar.
4. Click NextContinue.
5. Enter your Google email address and click NextContinue.
6. If prompted, enter your Gmail account details and allow the Provider for Google Calendar add-on to manage your calendars.
7. Choose the calendars you want to use in Thunderbird.
8. Click NextContinue.
9. You'll get a confirmation that your calendar has been created. Click FinishDone.

There's still some limitations with using the google-calendar, please see the GData provider page on wiki.mozilla.org.