How to Add Events to iCalendar from Ninja Forms ( Free )

Calendar invites can be a hassle to handle manually. With the iCalendar Ninja Forms plugin (free on Github), you can automate the process and send iCalendar invites directly upon form completion. This open-source plugin connects to your WordPress site, allowing you and your clients to manage event invites efficiently.

If you’re an Apple user who values WordPress’s versatility, you’ll appreciate how this plugin connects your WordPress forms to your iCalendar, ensuring every appointment or follow-up is noticed. This solution boosts user interaction and satisfaction by providing a single-click iCalendar link, streamlining the scheduling process, and improving the overall user experience on your site.

How to add events to iCalendar from Ninja Forms

This tutorial explores an open-source plugin from GitHub developed by WordPress community members and Ninja Forms fans. If you’re new to GitHub, consider reviewing this introductory guide—there’s no need to master Git; just download the plugin. Unlike plugins certified by WordPress.org, these community-driven plugins are free but aren’t officially vetted, so proceed with caution.

To ensure your site’s safety, regularly review the changelog and track releases of the repository you’re using. A GitHub repo without active contributions may lead to technical issues. Conversely, active commits indicate ongoing maintenance and suggest that the plugin is likely reliable and worth trying.

Step 1: Install and activate iCalendar for Ninja Forms

Visit the iCalendar for Ninja Forms GitHub page] by Per Soderlind.

1. Locate the Readme section.
   
2. Click on Download the plugin link.
3. Go to your WordPress Dashboard.
4. Navigate to Plugins > Add New > Upload Plugin.
5. Choose the downloaded iCalendar file and click Install Now.
6. After installation, click Activate Plugin

Step 2: Setting up the iCalendar action

Configuring the iCalendar action sets up the calendar event but not the notification. To create the notification, proceed to Step 4: Attach the iCalendar link, where you’ll learn how to attach the iCalendar link to the Success Message or Email Message field.

1. Navigate to Ninja Forms > Dashboard and select the form you want to edit.
2. Go to Emails & Actions and click + Add New.
3. Select the iCalendar action to add it to your form.

Configure the iCalendar action by specifying the following:

1. 1. Event Date: Set the Start and End times for your event.
   2. Event Information: Optional but helpful for detailing events with specific durations.
   3. Event URL: Include a link for additional event details.
   4. Event Venue: Specify the location of the event. Is it virtual or in-person, and if so, where?
   5. Organizer Email: The default is the WordPress admin email; replace this if you are not the admin.
   6. iCal Link Text: The default text is ‘Add the event to your calendar.’ Customize this to better fit your messaging.
   7. Attach Calendar: Enabled by default, this option attaches the calendar to the email, allowing it to download automatically when the link is clicked.

 Step 3: Attach the iCalendar link

You’ve successfully created your iCalendar event. Now, set up the notification to ensure recipients can receive and add the iCal invite to their calendars. Add the iCalendar link to either action using our merge tags. If you’re unfamiliar with merge tags, check out this guide.

• Success Message action: Include a message with the iCalendar link for users to download the event.
• Email action: Add the iCalendar link to the email message, enabling recipients to add the event directly from the email notification.

 Step 4: Apply Conditional Logic (Optional)

You now know how to set up an event or meeting with iCalendar, but what if manual setup for each event isn’t feasible? Our Conditional Logic add-on eliminates manual setup, allowing you to create dynamic events or meetings based on user selections.

Here’s how to get started:

Add a select or radio field to your WordPress form. This is what will be used to create the condition. For instance, if you’re creating events based on the season, include options like Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter in a dropdown field.

Once installed, the Conditional Logic dropdown should be visible in iCalendar action settings.

Set up the condition to trigger based on the selected season or user-chosen value from your custom dropdown. If you want to learn more about our Conditional Logic add-on, check out the following articles from our blog:

• How to Create Conditional Fields in WordPress
• 6 Uses of Conditional Logic in WordPress (Quick Guide)
• Send Conditional Email with Ninja Forms!

You can access Conditional Logic on its own for $49 yearly or opt for the Plus membership at $99 yearly, which includes Conditional Logic and 14 other powerful plugins!

Congrats! You’ve just learned how to send iCalendar invites with Ninja Forms.

Connecting iCalendar with Ninja Forms boosts your WordPress site’s functionality and user experience and optimizes your workflow, keeping everything organized. Follow these steps to quickly set up the iCalendar integration and enhance your web productivity. Start syncing your WordPress form submissions with your calendar today!

Looking for a booking plugin? Check out our Advanced Datepicker add-on. This Date/Time field extender allows you to enable or disable specific dates and times, set time intervals, limit submissions by date and time, and receive automatic notifications for each new appointment. Learn more on our blog.

Remember, Ninja Forms is more than just a contact form plugin—it’s a comprehensive toolkit that enhances your form-building capabilities. Our Core plugin is free, offering a wide range of form fields and features at no cost.

We believe in providing essential tools without barriers. With Ninja Forms, you can create customized forms to meet your needs without hefty expenses. Try it out—download our free core plugin today!