How to Make a Personalized Digital Photo Calendar Using Google Docs

Creating a photo calendar using your own digital photos couldn't be easier using Google Docs. Google Docs is available where ever you have an internet connection, so saving your photo calendar on a disk is obsolete! By following these simple steps, you can create a personalized digital photo calendar that rivals professional calendars.

Personalized Digital Photo Calendar: Find a Google Docs Template

Go to http://docs.google.com to access the Google Docs templates. On the left side of the menu bar, click on "New" and then select "From template..." On the left side of the new screen, under "Narrow by category", click on "Calendars & Schedules". Scroll down and select the option "Photo Calendar".

Personalized Digital Photo Calendar: Preparing Your Digital Photos

The recommendation on the Google Docs Photo Calendar template suggests a height no greater than 426 pixels. Landscape photos work better in the Google Docs Photo Calendar template than do portrait-orientated photos.

Using your favorite photo editing program, select and resize all your digital photos to use in the Google Docs Photo Calendar template. I recommend saving these digital photos in a separate folder on your computer, so you can easily find them when uploading.

If you don't have a photo editing program, there are several free versions online. My favorite is www.pixlr.com, which looks and operates just like Adobe Photoshop.

Personalized Digital Photo Calendar: Uploading Your Digital Photos

Uploading your digital photos is very easy in the Google Docs Photo Calendar template. Follow the simple instructions within the template. First, click on the placeholder photo in the Google Docs Photo Calendar template and hit 'delete' twice. Click on "Insert" from the menu bar, then select "Picture". Be sure to click on the "More Image Options" button and select a size (Medium, up to 640 pixels wide is recommended) and center your digital photo. Finally, click on "Insert", and voila! Your digital photo can be seen on the Google Docs Photo Calendar template.

Personalized Digital Photo Calendar: Further Personalization

My favorite option with the Google Docs Photo Calendar template is further personalizing your digital photo calendar by adding special dates, such as birthdays and anniversaries. The Google Docs Photo Calendar template doesn't have any holidays on the calendar, so be sure to add those as well.

You can change the colors and the font type and size as well in the Google Docs Photo Calendar template. One word of caution: don't make the font size bigger or each month won't fit on one letter-sized page.

Personalized Digital Photo Calendar: Printing Your Calendar

If you have a color printer at home, then you are all set to print. If you don't have a color printer at home, you don't have to save your digital photo calendar on a disk. Just head to your nearest copy shop and access your digital photo calendar from the Internet.

When printing, be sure to preview your digital photo calendar. Make sure each month fits on its own page. If you have overlapping months, go back to the Google Docs Photo Calendar template or your photo editing program to tweak your digital photo calendar or the digital photo sizes.

Personalized Digital Photo Calendar: Assembling Your Calendar

Each month will print portrait on a letter-sized piece of paper. Simply print each page of your digital photo calendar and use a single hole paper punch to place a hole near the top center of each calendar page.

Likely Page BreakAt home, you can place a couple staples on either side of the hole to secure your digital photo calendar. For a more professional look, take your digital photo calendar to your favorite business solutions store for a spiral binding along the top. If you are choosing that option, let them drill the hole in the center of your digital photo calendar so it doesn't interfere with the binding process.

Personalized Digital Photo Calendar: Print Extras!

Personalized digital photo calendars make great Christmas presents, so be sure to print a couple extra for friends, grandparents, aunts and uncles!