JoomCourses includes a calendar view that displays course dates and sessions in a visual format. This makes it easy for visitors to browse upcoming courses by date.
Calendar Display Modes
The calendar supports multiple display modes:
| Mode | Description |
|---|---|
| Month View | Traditional monthly calendar grid showing all course dates |
| Week View | Agenda-style weekly view with detailed time slots |
| Day View | Single day view with all sessions for that day |
| Sessions List | A list-based view showing sessions with expandable details |
Users can switch between views using the view switcher buttons on the frontend (if enabled).
Setting Up the Calendar
Creating a Calendar Menu Item
- Go to Menus in the Joomla admin and select your site menu.
- Click New to create a menu item.
- Set Menu Item Type to JoomCourses > Calendar.
- Configure the menu item options:
- Choose the default display mode
- Set a menu title (e.g., "Course Calendar")
- Save the menu item.
You can also create a menu item for Sessions to show the sessions list view.
Calendar Configuration
Configure the calendar appearance in Components > JoomCourses > Configuration.
Calendar Settings
| Setting | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|
| Course Color | The default color for course events on the calendar | #0044CC (blue) |
| Description Length | Maximum characters for event descriptions in the calendar | 100 |
Related Display Settings
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Show View Switcher | Allow users to toggle between calendar and list views |
| Show Sessions | Display individual sessions within course dates |
How the Calendar Works
Color Coding
Each course can have its own color assigned (set when editing a course). This color is used to distinguish different courses on the calendar. If no color is set for a course, the default calendar color from the configuration is used.
Event Details
When users click on a calendar event, they can see:
- Course title
- Course date (start and end)
- Session times (if applicable)
- A truncated description (length controlled by the Description Length setting)
- A link to the full course detail page
Sessions on the Calendar
If sessions have been added to course dates, they appear as individual time blocks on the calendar. The sessions calendar view shows the specific time slots (e.g., "9:00 AM - 12:00 PM") rather than just the course date range.
Sessions List View
As an alternative to the graphical calendar, the sessions list view shows upcoming sessions in a table format with:
- Session date
- Start and finish times
- Course name
- Session description (expandable)
- Pagination for browsing through many sessions
This view is useful for users who prefer a text-based overview of the schedule.