Can't search in iCal

I can not search anything anymore in the Calendar app.

I use Monterey 12.0 on the new MBP 14".

Any tips?

MacBook Pro 14″, macOS 12.0

Posted on Dec 2, 2021 3:12 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jan 19, 2022 7:05 AM

Ok, I found a workaround in some other thread and it worked for me: Rebuild the Spotlight Index


Apple already published this workaround for another issue and this procedure also rebuilds the calendar search index:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201716


Basically it works like this:

  • open System Preferences, then click Spotlight
  • click the Privacy tab
  • add the main harddisk of your Mac to the list of items which should be excluded from the indexing process.
  • close System Preferences
  • reboot the mac
  • then: do the same steps and remove the harddisk form the list
  • reboot the mac again and the rebuild the spotlight index process starts (internally)


As I understand, these steps "force" to rebuild the spotlight index which then includes the calendar entries.

The rebuild takes a while so don't expect to get search results immediately.


But this procedure worked for me!




39 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jan 19, 2022 7:05 AM in response to Lakeaire

Ok, I found a workaround in some other thread and it worked for me: Rebuild the Spotlight Index


Apple already published this workaround for another issue and this procedure also rebuilds the calendar search index:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201716


Basically it works like this:

  • open System Preferences, then click Spotlight
  • click the Privacy tab
  • add the main harddisk of your Mac to the list of items which should be excluded from the indexing process.
  • close System Preferences
  • reboot the mac
  • then: do the same steps and remove the harddisk form the list
  • reboot the mac again and the rebuild the spotlight index process starts (internally)


As I understand, these steps "force" to rebuild the spotlight index which then includes the calendar entries.

The rebuild takes a while so don't expect to get search results immediately.


But this procedure worked for me!




Apr 7, 2022 6:34 AM in response to dfergus1ic

I had the same issue on a brand new 14" MBP that I set up with a Thunderbolt migration from my previous MBP that was running 12.3.1. During the migration, the new MBP needed to be updated to Monterey 12.3.1, which it did. Seems a lot of the issues happen with a migration from an previous Mac. I solved this issue for me by running the Monterey install from the App store- just click "Get" on Monterey and let it install. After that, calendar search from within the app now works, and it also fixed a bluetooth connection issue I had been having with a game controller. Good luck!

May 17, 2022 11:01 PM in response to DDJac

The procedure provided by "DDjac" WORKED for me. DDjac posted this procedure on Jan 19, 2022 7:05 AM in response to Lakeaire. This posting by DDjac is in the "Apple Community" under the topic "Can't search in iCal".


After doing every step in that procedure (exactly like it's author stated, including selecting the entire harddrive MacIntosh HD), my calendar searches are now working! Apple's "Calendar.app" (version 11.0), on my iMac (M1-chip), running Mac OS Monterey 12.3.1, has now started to correctly search my calendar. It is no longer returning the ridiculous "No Results". I say started because it will take awhile for Spotlight to re-build it's indexes (since you MUST pick the entire harddrive MacIntosh HD to make this procedure work successfully).

Dec 3, 2021 6:57 AM in response to NookaDizzy

Hello NookaDizzy,


We see that you need help with Calendar on Mac.


If you are not sure of how to search for something in the calendar app, check this out: Search for events in Calendar on Mac - Apple Support


If the search isn’t working, can you tell us know more about what’s happening? Does the issue continue after a restart or in safe mode? Shut down or restart your Mac & Start up your Mac in safe mode


Cheers!

Dec 3, 2021 7:32 AM in response to Matthew.S81

Hi Matthew.S81, I am having the same issue. In the iCal search box. "No Results". I have every box clicked on for each calendar in iCal and in Spotlight. I've refreshed all calendars. I've restarted my computer. I have not attempted starting up in safe mode yet. I wonder if when I received my new MacBook pro (m1), I transferred information from my old MacBook something got missed in the process. I am remembering now, that I had not updated the OS in my old computer to Monteray before transferring data. Would that cause an issue? Ical is searchable in all my other Apple products. Thank you for your time and attention.

Dec 3, 2021 8:51 AM in response to Matthew.S81

Hi Matthew.S81,


The search is still not working. I know how to search in the Calendar app.

To inform you what is happening:


If I want to search for an event that I know for shure is in my calendar somewhere, I type a keyword in the search box in the right upper corner of the app. Usually I would get one or more results in the right part of the screen. But these days I do not get anything.

Strange thing is that, on the top of the right hand results column, it says 'Today' (in Dutch: 'Vandaag') in a red coloured font. That would suggest that, if I would search for an event that is planned for today, I would get a result. But no, I don't.


A partial screenshot of my Calendar app is included in this message. I typed "GP" in the search field, and as you can see, there are more than one events in my Calendar that start with "GP". But no search results are displayed. In the lower right corner of the screenshot you can read "Niets gevonden", which is Dutch for "Nothing found".


Hope to hear from you soon, with a solution for this problem.


Cheers, Roeland Brugman

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

Can't search in iCal

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.