I’m usually a Google Calendar user, but since moving more and more to my MacBook Air, I’ve started incorporating Apple Calendar into my routine, as well. I like the layout, and I like the new dark mode that came with MacOS Mojave.
Have a File Automatically Open When Adding an Event in Apple Calendar
Have a File Automatically Open When Adding an Event in Apple Calendar

But, via iDownloadBlog, Apple Calendar also offers another interesting, sleeper feature that makes it particularly useful for work events. When you create a new event, you can have your computer automatically open a file, ready for your meeting.

So let’s say I have an online meeting with Lifehacker Managing Editor, Virginia Smith. I make the event, then drop down the entire list of menu options. Under “Alert”, you will see “Custom” at the bottom.
Have a File Automatically Open When Adding an Event in Apple Calendar
Have a File Automatically Open When Adding an Event in Apple Calendar

From there, you’ll see another box pop up. Drop down the options and choose “Open file.”
Have a File Automatically Open When Adding an Event in Apple Calendar
Have a File Automatically Open When Adding an Event in Apple Calendar

You’ll then be asked to navigate to the file’s location on your computer, and select whatever it is that you want to open—maybe a PowerPoint presentation, or a doc with a draft of an article, for instance.
Have a File Automatically Open When Adding an Event in Apple Calendar
Have a File Automatically Open When Adding an Event in Apple Calendar

Specify how many minutes before the meeting you want the file to open. The default is 15 minutes, but you can change it to whatever you want. Then save the lot and exit. That’s it.

Unfortunately, the same feature doesn’t seem to be available for Google Calendar, but if they’re smart, they’ll add a version of it soon, as it’s insanely useful. After all, who among us hasn’t accidentally showed up to a meeting and had to spend the first few minutes searching around our files to pull up the right documents?

How to set your Mac Calendar to automatically open a file right before a meeting