How to insert link into calendar event description field?

Question

_{Monday, May 23, 2011 8:37 AM}

Hello,

When I add a new event in a calendar, I cannot insert a link in the description field.
I checked the "description" field settings to change the rich text editor settings on the field, but it seems the field is locked for changes.

I tried adding a "description2" field, which is a multiple lines of text field, and configured it with the "Rich text (Bold, italics, text alignment, hyperlinks)" setting.
When I add a new event, and click inside the description2 field, it's exactly the same as the default description field. No way to insert a hyperlink, even though the description of the setting clearly mentions the ability to add hyperlinks!

When I change the field configuration of description2 to "Enhanced rich text (Rich text with pictures, tables, and hyperlinks)" it works.
When I add an event then, I get the ribbon toolbar and not the inside toolbar in the field.

Why can't I insert links in the default description field?
Why can't I change the "type of text" setting of the default description field?

I hope this doesn't mean I have to add a duplicate description field on all my calendar lists...
I don't need the enhanced rich text field, I only need the basic editing menu (bold italic underline etc) with the ability to add hyperlinks.

This is clearly a bug in the toolbar, right ?

All replies (4)

_{Monday, May 23, 2011 8:47 AM}

It actually works with the original description field but not with a title - insert the url and it will be hyper linked.
Ex. You are invited to this meeting. Find directions at: http://somesite
And the url will be hyperlinked.
AK

_{Monday, May 23, 2011 9:01 AM}

I know, but we trained our users to make proper links with a title and an address.
Users are confused and send tickets to the helpdesk to ask how they can insert a hyperlink, because the toolbar doesn't give them that option.

Even if the only option would be the enhanced rich text setting, then I could live with it, but I can't even change that setting on the default description field.

I'm getting so fed up with all these limitations over and over again, only because Microsoft failed to think longer than 5 seconds about what would be the best approach for this field...

_{Monday, May 23, 2011 10:12 AM}

That can also be done in a more structured way: create a new content type based on Event. Add an enhanced rich text column to the content type, remove the old Description column and add the CT to your calendar list. In list settings, uncheck the Event content type and make your CT first (from change new button order). You may have to enable manage content type from advanced settings if not enabled. That should do it.
AK

_{Monday, May 23, 2011 12:22 PM | 1 vote}

That would work indeed, but we have hundreds of events already in several calendar lists.

Creating the custom content type means that I need to delete the default "Event" content type on every calendar list, and add the custom content type as the default one.
If I do that, I'll lose all values that are entered in the default description field.

That is simply not an option, and I'm not updating every single calendar event item for this.

I still think this is a bug that Microsoft should fix. I don't see why I should be creating a custom content type, only because I cannot change the description field from "rich text" to "enhanced rich text".