Palm to iCal?

If you are asking if it is possible to have your Palm handheld data overwrite the iCal file, the answer is no, as this process is not supported by the Sync Services framework.

If you are asking if it is possible to merge the data on your device with the data stored in iCal, that can be done with iSync alone.

If you want more extensive support of later Palm devices than that offered by iSync, then you should take a look at the Missing Sync for Palm OS, and its support for iCal through the provided Mark/Space Events and Mark/Space Tasks conduits. Note that you are expected to overwrite the contents of your handheld with the data stored in iCal during your initial synchronization, and the failure to do so can create all sorts of issues during subsequent synchronization events. This is a problem if, as outlined in the first paragraph, the data you want to move into iCal resides only on your handheld.

It is possible to export data from the Palm Desktop as a single vCal file, then simply double-click on that exported file to import those records into iCal, at which point you can overwrite the contents of your handheld with the records stored in iCal, as you won't lose records by doing so. You may lose some information presently on your handheld if the iSync Palm Conduit does not support mapping of it. Event categories are one example. To avoid this issue, you should purchase and install the Missing Sync for Palm OS.

Yes.

To do this for calendaring information to import into iCal, launch the Palm Desktop and select DateBook from the View menu. Pick Export… from the File menu, name the file [Untitled by default] and pick vCal as the format, then export your data by pressing the Export button.

To import this data into iCal, just double-click the exported data file.

To do this for contact information to import into the Address Book, launch the Palm Desktop and select Address List from the View menu. Pick Export… from the File menu, name the file [Untitled by default] and pick vCard as the format, then export your data by pressing the Export button.

To import this data into the Address Book, just double-click the exported data file.

It's really that simple.

I also tried this but found that iCal did not import my categories. 'Categories' in Palm Desktop 4.2 would be 'calendars' in iCal. Is there anyway to get around this and import PD's categories?

Welcome to Apple Discussions.

Not that I am aware of. You always need to be aware that iSync and the iSync Palm Conduit do not map 'categories' in Palm terms. Any event created on a Palm device is moved to iCal into a separate calendar named Unfiled calendar, by default. You can designate another using the drop-down configuration pane for your device in iSync, but I think this is clumsy. As is redesignating the calendar association in iSync, event by event, if you choose to do that.

The Missing Sync, on the other hand, does recognize calendar categories and colors on advanced Palm devices, and for that and many other reasons, is a far better synchronization application choice than iSync is.

To do this for calendaring information to import into
iCal, launch the Palm Desktop and select DateBook
from the View menu. Pick Export… from the File menu,
name the file [Untitled by default] and pick vCal as
the format, then export your data by pressing the
Export button.

I'm confused. I'm not able to follow these directions. I click on EXPORT in my file menu from Palm Desktop 4.1.4 and my only choice is EXPORT; EXPORT TO VCAL is grayed out because that can only be used for one event at a time. When I click on EXPORT, it only allows me to export to a .dba file, either calendar or database. That is not importable to ical. I have the most up to date version of Palm Desktop, but I do use an old Palm m100. I'm trying desperately to transfer my datebook from Palm to ical. Help!

Hello. I'd like to be absolutely clear on this sync issue.

Without Third Party Software, there is no way to sync iCal
1) Categories (aka colours, calendars)
2) Locations
3) Attendees
4) URLs
to a Palm Pilot. True or False?

Also, for personal interest, I'm using a Palm m125, so even a 3rd party app like Missing Sync wouldn't help me to sync locations. The reason I got the Palm was so that I would know where my classes are, without having to open my lappy all the time, so this is quite important for me.

Thanks for any help offered.


MacBook Mac OS X (10.4.8) Palm Pilot m125

Sadly, it's true. There is no support for such data descriptors in iSync and the iSync Palm Conduit.

To appreciate the full power of synchronization with a Palm device and the Missing Sync for Palm OS, you must be using an 'advanced' Palm device: essentially a Palm OS 5.2 or greater platform. All models released after the Treo 600 should qualify, but your m125 does not, as it sports release 4.0 of the Palm OS.

So if I were to get a later model Palm Pilot, iSync would send location and category types to the handheld 'out-of-the-box'?

No, iSync will not do it in any case. You must use the Missing Sync for Palm OS to achieve this.