How to create and manage events using The Events Calendar plugin for WordPress

WordPress events table plugin list

WordPress calendar plugins such as The Events Calendar are fantastic. But what if you're not happy with the built-in event layouts? This tutorial will show you a  straightforward way of creating a searchable events table to list your upcoming events.

In this guide, we will be focusing on the Events Calendar plugins suite. This includes Event Calendar Pro, Event Tickets Plus, and other related plugins. However, the method we'll be discussing here can be used to create a table of events for any WordPress events plugin available. Using the WordPress plugin for event management is a great way to efficiently organize and promote various types of events.

Having all event information in one place makes it easy for event planners to manage registrations, and monitor ticket sales. This can lead to increased attendance and revenues. As well as improved brand image and customer satisfaction.

Watch the video to learn how. You can also keep reading for full written instructions on how to create a table of events in WordPress.

Why use the Events Calendar plugin for WordPress?

The Events Calendar plugin is a popular choice for managing events on a WordPress website for several reasons. The Events Calendar plugin has a user-friendly interface that allows users to create and manage events with ease. Additionally, it offers various customization options, enabling users to customize the appearance and functionality of the calendar to meet their specific needs.

Additionally, the plugin offers advanced features such as ticketing, RSVP tracking, and recurring events in WordPress. The plugin is well-supported and regularly updated. Making sure that it remains compatible with the latest versions of WordPress and other plugins.

The importance of event management for businesses and organizations

Event management plays a critical role in the success of businesses and organizations. Events provide a platform for your business to showcase your products or services and create brand awareness. For organizations, events are a great way to raise awareness about your cause and raise funds.

Effective event management can help businesses and organizations achieve their goals. It also increases visibility and credibility. It also builds lasting relationships with your target audience.

Using event management tools such as The Events Calendar plugin for WordPress can help your business streamline event planning. As well as improve your overall event experience.

Different options for creating a new event

The Event Calendar plug offers several options for creating a new event on your WordPress website. These options allow you to customize your event to meet the needs of your audience. Here are some of the different ways you can create a new event using The Events Calendar plugin:

  1. Add Event button: The most basic way to create a new event is to click on the "Add Event" button. This will take you to a new page where you can enter the details of your event.
  2. Quick event creation: You can use the "Quick Event" feature to create an event in just a few seconds. This feature is especially useful if you need to create an event on the go.
  3. Recurring events: Use the recurring event feature to set it up once and have it repeat automatically.
  4. Importing events: You can also import events listed in another application into The Events Calendar plugin. This saves you time and effort by allowing you to bring all of your events into one place.
  5. Front-end event submission: You can allow visitors to submit events to your website by enabling front-end submission. They can fill out a form and submit their event directly to your site.

How to add event details such as title, date, time, location, and description

To add event details using The Events Calendar plugin, follow these steps:

  1. Install and activate The Events Calendar plugin from the WordPress plugin repository.
  2. Go to the WordPress dashboard and navigate to the Events → Add New Event page.
  3. In the event editor screen, you will see fields to add the event details, including:
    • Title: Enter the title of the event in the "Event Title" field.
    • Date and Time: Select the date and time of the event from the "Start" and "End" fields.
    • Location: Enter the location of the event in the "Venue" and "Address" fields. You can also use the "Google Maps" field to add a map to the event.
    • Description: Enter the description of the event in the editor field.
  4. You can also add additional event details, such as event categories, tags, and featured images. As well as organizer details, and ticket details using the options available in the event editor screen.
  5. Click on the "Publish" button to publish the event on your website.
  6. You can view the event on your website by navigating to the Events page. You can also view it by adding a shortcode to a page or post. To add a shortcode, use the [tribe_events] shortcode and customize it with the necessary options.

That's it! You have successfully added an event using The Events Calendar plugin with all the necessary details.

How to add images, videos, and other media to events using The Events Calendar plugin

To add images, videos, and other media to events, using The Events Calendar plugin, follow these steps:

  1. In the event editor screen, scroll down to the "Event Image" section.
  2. Click on the "Set event image" button to upload an image from your computer, or choose an image from the media library.
  3. Once you have selected an image, you can customize the image settings, such as the image size and alignment.
  4. To add a video to the vent, you can use the "Embed video" field in the event editor screen. Paste the video embed code from a supported video hosting platform (such as YouTube or Vimeo) into the field and click the "save" button.
  5. You can also add other media to the event description by clicking on the"Add media" button in the editor field. From here, you can upload and insert images, audio files, and other media.
  6. You can use the "gallery" block in the editor field to display a gallery of images. Add the images you want to display and customize the gallery settings as needed.
  7. Publish the event on your website by clicking the "Publish" button after adding all the required media.

How to add event categories and tags

To add event categories and tags using The Events Calendar plugin, follow these steps:

  1. In the event editor screen, scroll down to the "Event Categories" section.
  2. Click on the "Add New Category" button to create a new category, or select an existing category from the dropdown menu.
  3. Enter a name for the category and a description if desired, and click the "Add New Category" button to save.
  4. To add tags to the event, scroll down to the "Event Tags" section.
  5. Click on the "Add New Tag" button to create a new tag, or select an existing tag from the dropdown menu.
  6. Enter a name for the tag and click the "Add New Tag" button to save.
  7. You can also assign multiple categories and tags to the event by selecting them from the dropdown menus. You can also do this by entering them manually in the respective fields.
  8. Publish the event on your website by clicking on the "Publish" button after adding all the required categories and tags.

How to set up recurring events and multi-day events using The Events Calendar plugin

If you're using The Events Calendar plugin for your WordPress site, you can easily set up recurring events and multi-day events to save time and effort. However, this useful feature is only available as part of the premium Events Calendar Pro add-on. With this add-on, you can create a wide range of events, from daily or weekly meetings to conferences or festivals that span multiple days.

To set up recurring events and multi-day events using The Events Calendar plugin, follow these steps:

  1. In the event editor screen, navigate to the "Event Schedule" section.
  2. To set up a recurring event, click on the "Add New Schedule" button.
  3. Select the "Custom Schedule" option and choose the start and end dates for the recurring event.
  4. Choose the recurrence pattern for the event, such as daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly. You can also set the event to recur on specific days of the week, or on certain dates of the month.
  5. Set the start and end times for each occurrence of the event. You can also choose to have the times be the same for every occurrence.
  6. You can also set an end date for the recurring event, or choose to have it recur indefinitely.
  7. To set up a multi-day event, enter the start and end dates in the "Start" and "End" fields in the "Event Details" section.
  8. You can also add a schedule for the event by clicking on the "Add New Schedule" button in the "Event Schedule" section. Enter the start and end times for each day of the event, or choose to have the times be the same for every day.
  9. Once you have set up the recurring or multi-day event, add all the necessary event details, such as title, location, and description, as well as any images or media.
  10. Finally, click on the "Publish" button to publish the event on your website.

How to view, edit, and delete existing events in The Events Calendar plugin

To view, edit, and delete existing events in The Events Calendar plugin, follow these steps:

  1. Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
  2. Click on "Events" in the left-hand menu to view the list of all events created using The Events Calendar plugin.
  3. To view an event, click on its title in the list.
  4. To edit an event, hover over its title in the list and click on "Edit."
  5. Make the necessary changes to the event details, such as title, date, time, location, and description.
  6. To delete an event, hover over its title in the list and click on "Trash."
  7. To permanently delete an event, click on the "Trash" link at the top of the events list. Then click on "Empty Trash."
  8. You can also restore a deleted event by clicking on the "Trash" link. Hover over the event's title, and click on "Restore."

How to manage event attendees and RSVPs in The Events Calendar plugin

The Events Calendar plugin offers several options for managing event attendees and RSVPs. Here are the steps to manage event attendees and RSVPs in The Events Calendar plugin:

  1. Make sure that you have enabled the RSVP feature for your events. Go to "Events" > "Settings" > "Tickets" and check the "Enable RSVPs" checkbox.
  2. To view the list of attendees for an event, go to the event editor screen and click on the "Attendees" tab. Here, you can see a list of all the people who have RSVP'd to the event.
  3. You can add a new attendee to the event by clicking on the "Add Attendee" button.
  4. To edit an attendee's details, click on their name in the list and make the necessary changes.
  5. You can delete an attendee from the list by clicking on their name and then clicking on the "Remove Attendee" button.
  6. You can also export the attendee list to a CSV file by clicking on the "Export CSV" button.
  7. To manage RSVPs for the event, go to the event editor screen and click on the "RSVPs" tab. Here, you can see a list of all the people who have RSVP'd to the event and their RSVP status.
  8. To change an attendee's RSVP status, click on their name in the list and select the new status from the dropdown menu.
  9. You can also send email reminders to attendees who have RSVP'd to the event by clicking on the "Email" button.

Can you export events to other calendars or platforms in The Events Calendar plugin?

The Events Calendar plugin provides a convenient way to export your events to other platforms like Google calendar. This is done through the use of the iCalendar format. This is also known as .ics. This standard format enables the easy sharing of calendar data across various platforms.

To export events to other calendars or platforms using The Events Calendar plugin, follow these steps:

  1. Go to the WordPress dashboard and click on "Events" in the left-hand menu.
  2. Select the event you want to export.
  3. Click on the "Export Event" button.
  4. Choose the iCalendar format (.ics) from the dropdown menu.
  5. Click on the "Export" button.
  6. The file will be downloaded to your computer as an .ics file.
  7. Import the .ics file into your desired calendar or platform. The process for importing varies depending on the platform you're using. But typically involves navigating to the import function and selecting the .ics file from your computer.

How to use add-ons to extend the functionality of the plugin

Here are the steps to use add-ons in The Events Calendar plugin:

  1. Go to the WordPress dashboard and click on "Plugins" in the left-hand menu.
  2. Click on the "Add New" button at the top of the page.
  3. Search for "The Events Calendar" in the search bar.
  4. Click on "Install Now" next to The Events Calendar plugin.
  5. Once the plugin is installed and activated, go to "Events" in the left-hand menu.
  6. Click on "Add-Ons" to see a list of available add-ons.
  7. Click on "Install" next to the add-on you want to use.
  8. Once the add-on is installed and activated, you can start using its features in The Events Calendar plugin.
  9. Depending on the add-on, you may need to configure its settings. This can usually be done in the plugin's settings or in the event editor screen.
  10. Some add-ons may require a separate purchase or subscription to use. Make sure to check the details of the add-on before installing it.

Repeat these steps to install and activate any additional add-ons you want to use. Each add-on will add new features and functionality to the plugin. This will allow you to customize it to your specific event management needs.

Advanced features of The Events Calendar plugin, such as ticketing, ticket sales, and seating charts

The Events Calendar plugin is a powerful tool for managing events in WordPress that offer many advanced features. These features can help you streamline your workflows. As well as create a seamless experience for attendees.

One of the most useful advanced features of The Events Calendar plugin is ticketing. The plugin allows event organizers to sell tickets to their events using the Ticketing add-on. This feature enables event organizers to set different ticket types and pricing. As well as availability dates, as well as limit the number of tickets sold, and track sales data in real-time. The plugin also offers various ticket sales options, including PayPal, Stripe, and WooCommerce. Also, there's the ability to create discount codes and coupons to incentivize ticket sales.

Other advanced features of The Events Calendar plugin

  • Seating charts: The Events Calendar plugin offers a Seating Chart add-on that allows you to create custom seating charts for your events. You can set different seating sections, seat types, and pricing. Attendees can select their seats during the ticket purchase process.
  • Event submissions: The Events Calendar plugin offers a Community Events add-on that allows users to submit their own events to your calendar. You can review and approve these events before they are published.
  • RSVP tracking: The Events Calendar plugin allows you to track RSVPs and manage attendee lists for your events. You can set attendance limits, and collect attendee information. Also, send email reminders.

Tips and best practices for effectively managing events using The Events Calendar plugin

  1. Start planning your events well in advance: Set up the events in The Events Calendar plugin. This will give you plenty of time to promote the event and sell tickets.
  2. Use clear and concise event titles: This will help attendees quickly understand what the event is about.
  3. Use categories and tags:  Tags and categories help organize your events and make it easier for attendees to find events they are interested in.
  4. Add all event details: Include the date, time, location, description, and any other important information.
  5. Use images and videos: Use high-quality images and videos to promote your event and give attendees a better idea of what to expect.
  6. Set up RSVPs and ticketing: The RSVP and ticketing features help manage attendance and sell tickets to your event.
  7. Utilize add-ons: Add other features like ticket sales, seating charts, and event submissions.
  8. Test the event page: Make sure to test the event page to ensure that everything is working correctly.
  9. Promote the event: Use social media, email marketing, and other promotional channels to promote your event and drive attendance.
  10. Monitor attendance and make adjustments: Keep an eye on attendance and make adjustments as needed to ensure that your event is successful.

How to optimize events for search engines and social media

Here are some tips for optimizing events for search engines and social media:

  1. Use descriptive and keyword-rich event titles: Use descriptive and keyword-rich event titles that accurately describe the event and include relevant keywords. This will help search engines and social media platforms understand what the event is about and make it more discoverable.
  2. Use clear and concise event descriptions: Use clear and concise event descriptions that provide all the necessary information about the event. This includes the date, time, location, and any other important details. This will make it easier for search engines and social media platforms to understand the event and display it in search results or on social media feeds.
  3. Add images and videos: Add high-quality images and videos to your event page to make it more engaging and shareable on social media.
  4. Use structured data markup: Use structured data markup to provide search engines with more information about your event, including the date, time, location, and other important details. This will help search engines display rich snippets of your event in search results.
  5. Optimize event URLs: Optimize event URLs by using descriptive and keyword-rich URLs that accurately reflect the event title and content.
  6. Share the event on social media: Share your event on social media and encourage others to share it as well. This will help increase visibility and drive traffic to your event page.
  7. Use hashtags: Use relevant hashtags when sharing your event on social media to make it more discoverable and increase engagement.
  8. Monitor analytics: Monitor analytics to see how your event page is performing in search results and on social media. Use this information to make adjustments and optimize your event page for better performance.

The limitations of default event layouts

Default event layouts on a WordPress website can be limited in terms of design and functionality. However, by using The Events Calendar or Events Calendar Pro plugins, users can easily enhance the look and functionality of their event displays. These plugins are popular among WordPress users and allow for the display of basic events as well as online bookings with the use of additional plugins.

The Events Calendar offers a range of views for existing and new events, as well as event management. Users can choose from basic list views to a simple calendar view. Events Calendar Pro takes things a step further by providing additional views such as a map view, giving users even more options to display their events in a visually appealing and informative way.

By using The Events Calendar or Events Calendar Pro plugins, you can elevate the functionality and appearance of the event displays on your WordPress website.

What if you have many events and want a more concise display? Or need more search options and filters for attendees to find your events easily?

By default, event calendars in WordPress can take up a lot of space and may not be suitable for displaying a comprehensive directory or database of events. While it's possible to create a custom template or modify one of the default views, this requires coding skills that may not be feasible for everyone.

Fortunately, there is a solution to this issue: displaying events in a table view. This provides a compact and organized way to showcase multiple events on a single page while allowing users to quickly browse and search through the information. Additionally, a table view allows for greater customization options, such as sorting and filtering based on event categories, tags, dates, and more.

By using a plugin with this functionality, users can easily display their events in a clear and concise format that is both functional and visually appealing.

The easy way to list events in a table view

WordPress events list

 

In this tutorial, we will also explore how to display events using the Posts Table Pro plugin, a versatile tool that allows for an interactive list or table view of your events. This approach complements the functionalities offered by the Events Calendar Pro plugin, which provides a range of features to manage your events effectively.

By implementing Posts Table Pro, you can showcase your events in a more comprehensive and organized manner, providing visitors with an intuitive interface to search, filter and sort through the listings. Furthermore, the plugin is highly customizable and can be tailored to match the overall aesthetics and design of your website.

It is essential to note that this tutorial will focus solely on events created with Events Calendar or Events Calendar Pro, and the techniques might not apply to other event management plugins such as Event Espresso or Events Manager. However, we will also offer tips on creating a table using these plugins, ensuring that you can use this tutorial as a comprehensive guide to optimizing your events listings.

Dianna uses Posts Table Pro to display her events in a customized table:

Exactly what I was looking for
Posts Table Pro was the perfect solution in displaying our events in table view. Our previous table view display did not allow much customization when it came to our columns and filters. With Posts Table Pro, we've been able to fully customize our columns and filters and can now provide our customer base a better experience when they're searching for their events. Another highlight about the plugin is the company that created it. Barn 2 Media was always quick to respond if I ever had a question or needed to better understand how to set something up. If you're considering this plugin, I highly recommend it!

Why display events in a table?

WordPress events table
For websites with a large number of events, the default event views provided by the Events Calendar plugin may not be enough. In such cases, it is better to display events in a more tabular, grid-based format. By listing events in a table, users can view a large number of events on a single screen, making it easier for them to find the events they are interested in.

Using a table format, users can sort events by clicking on a column header or category. They can also perform a keyword search using the search box, which is not possible using the default Events Calendar views. This feature is particularly useful for websites with a large number of events.

Plugins that list events in a calendar or date-based layout can be limiting. That's why displaying events in a table format using plugins such as Posts Table Pro can be a better option. This allows users to see a comprehensive list of events, sort and filter them, and search for specific events using keywords.

Exploring the single event page in The Events Calendar plugin

After finding an event you are interested in, you can easily navigate to the single event page provided by the Events Calendar plugin through the table. This page offers a comprehensive overview of the event, including its date, time, location, and any other relevant details. It also provides an opportunity for users to book the event or perform other actions such as adding it to their calendar or sharing it on social media.

By clicking on the event in the table, users are taken to the single event page, which is optimized for conversion. This page can be customized to include additional information or features such as a call-to-action button or related events.

What types of events can I list in a table?

The good news is that you can use this method to list absolutely any type of event. It might be:

  • In-person events: These are admissions tickets, live events, charity auctions, concerts, conferences, festivals and carnivals, live performances, meet-ups, presentations, and speed dating events.
  • Online events: These include conference calls, live coaching, and webinars.
  • Training courses: Examples are boot camps, classes, crash courses or in-depth training, formal training, and certified courses.

Keep reading to discover a real-life website that lists events in a table. Then learn how to do the same on your own site!

See The Events Calendar plugin in action: Two case studies

Looking for inspiration on how to use The Events Calendar plugin for WordPress? Check out these two case studies that showcase how the plugin can be used for different purposes and in different industries. From cooking events to training courses, these examples demonstrate how the plugin's versatility can help you create a tailored event management system

Case study #1 - Cooking events calendar plugin on The Kitchen

The Kitchen at Middleground Farms hosts cooking events in Oregon, USA. Each event is added to WordPress with the Events Calendar plugin. As the default layouts available weren’t quite right for the site, they decided to combine the WordPress events plugins with Posts Table Pro. Customers can now quickly find an event and book themselves on it using the interactive table.

The Kitchen’s list of events includes a short description, prices, and dates. Users can sort the list by date, price, or course name, or use the search function. Clicking on a course name takes customers to a new page (provided by Events Calendar and Event Tickets Plus), where they can book and make their payments.

Case study #2 - Listing training courses for AgileSparks

AgileSparks are a technology training company. They followed the steps in this tutorial to list training courses using Posts Table Pro with Events Calendar, WooCommerce, and Event Tickets Plus.

It's easy to find a course using the instant AJAX search box and the multiple filters above the table. You can then click through to learn more about each course and make a booking with a straightforward booking form.

AgileSparks were delighted with the result:

Great plugin with responsive and helpful support
I've been struggling with an effective way to list our upcoming agile training classes - we have dozens of them scheduled worldwide at any point of time. I found Posts Table Pro and it was exactly what I was looking for. I feel the view it provides and the ability to filter/search for specific events according to your needs is great. I had some questions and issues while integrating it to my instance of Tribe Events Calendar and Katie and the team were very helpful, including on the weekend. We were up and running with full functionality within a day or two. Impressive, especially considering the type of support you get used to in the WordPress plugin world. I also appreciate the depth of their blog content btw. That's how I found them in the first place.

How to list WordPress events in a table

Once you've got all your events set up, it's time to add a list view for them in a table.

You'll need the Posts Table Pro plugin for this, which you can buy here.

You can add your event calendar plugin table on any page on your website. You might also even want to create multiple tables. For example, one for each of your event categories. Or use Posts Table Pro to provide an events database on top of viewing options already provided by the WordPress Events Calendar plugin. You might even want to use it to replace those default views. Think about the best structure for your website as it is highly flexible.

1. Create a table listing all your upcoming events

Upon completing your purchase of Posts Table Pro, you'll be sent a confirmation email that includes both a download link and a license key. If you don't receive the email, you can submit a support request. To download the plugin, simply follow the link provided in the email and save the zip file to your computer.

Next, go to your WordPress admin and select Plugins → Add New → Upload Plugin. Choose the zip file you just downloaded, upload it, and activate the plugin. From there, the setup wizard will guide you through the process of creating your first table, providing step-by-step instructions.

WordPress events table list plugin with upcoming events

2. Customize your table

Follow these steps to create a customized table for your events.

  1. Begin by giving your table a name and selecting the post type you wish to display.
  2. Select the posts or pages you would like to include in the table. You can select from posts, pages, and custom post types.
  3. Customize your table to suit your preferences. You can determine which columns to display and in what order. For your table, you can add a column for the event name, description, start and end date, category, website, and event price. To add a new column, choose the column type from the dropdown menu and click "Add".
  4. You can add as many filters as you like. For your table, you can add categories and tags as filters.
  5. Customize the sorting options for your table by choosing the default sorting option and the sort direction. This allows you to control the order in which the table is displayed to your users.
  6. Enable lazy loading to improve the table's performance, even when containing hundreds or thousands of items.
  7. Lastly, choose how to sort your database. You can set the default sorting option and the sort direction

This is how your table will look like:

WordPress events table list plugin

3. Display your table

After completing the creation of your table with the Post Table Pro plugin, the setup wizard will confirm your progress and guide you on how to display the table on your WordPress website. You can choose between two options for displaying the table:

  • Using the 'Post Table' block in the Gutenberg editor, or
  • Copy the shortcode generated by the plugin and paste it into any page of your website. This allows you to place the table on any page, regardless of its content and gives you the flexibility to design your website according to your preferences.

By default, Posts Table Pro will list all published events in the table, regardless of their date. We have provided a code snippet which you can use to only list upcoming events and hide past events.

Can I include the 'Book' or 'Buy' buttons in the table of events?

The Events Calendar plugin has 2 sister plugins that let you extend it to take bookings for events. The Event Tickets and Event Tickets Plus add-ons work together to allow people to buy tickets for your events using WooCommerce and pay online. WooCommerce is the no. 1 e-commerce plugin and provides the e-commerce features such as a cart, checkout, and payment gateways.

Used together, these plugins create 'tickets' for each event, which people can buy in order to book a place. Each ticket is linked to the Events Calendar event and is basically a WooCommerce product.

The difficulty in including the 'Buy' to 'Add to Cart' buttons in your events table is that the table lists events, but you don't buy an event - you buy a ticket! The two are linked behind the scenes, but not in a way that lets you display add-to-cart buttons in the table of events. Here are two workarounds to get around this:

Option 1 - List tickets using WooCommerce Product Table instead

If you want to include add-to-cart buttons in the table, then the only option is to use our WooCommerce Product Table plugin instead of Posts Table Pro. The two plugins are very similar, but the dedicated WooCommerce version supports more WooCommerce features such as add-to-cart buttons.

Instead of using our Posts Table Pro plugin to list events in a table (as described in the rest of this tutorial), you would do something similar using WooCommerce Product Table to create a table of event tickets. This can include add-to-cart buttons, as you can see in the screenshot:

WooCommerce Table of Event Tickets

The tickets can be listed in the table with the product name, price, and add to cart button.

You can also include the number of available places by adding a 'stock' column to the table. However, the table won't display other fields from the event such as the event date. To get around this, you can add the date to the ticket name when you create the ticket. You can see this in action in the screenshot above.

Note: The Events Tickets Plus plugin sets ticket products to 'hidden' by default. This will also hide them from the product table. If you want to list tickets directly in the product table, then you must go to the 'Edit Product' screen for the ticket and change the visibility so that it appears in the table. You'll find the visibility option in the 'Publish' section at the top right of the page.

Option 2 - Workaround for showing Buy buttons using Posts Table Pro

If you really want to use Posts Table Pro to list events, instead of switching to WooCommerce Product Table, then there is a workaround.

Because your events can't be purchased directly in The Events Calendar - you need tickets for this - there's no way to dynamically list the 'Add to cart' buttons in the events table. However, you can achieve this with a bit of extra work.

You can add the Buy buttons to the table of events by manually adding these directly to your events. You would still use the Event Tickets Plus extension to create your tickets, but you would need to create a custom field to add the Buy button directly to each event.

How to do it

  1. Set up your WordPress events website with The Events Calendar, Event Tickets, Events Tickets Plus, and WooCommerce (as described above). Add some events with tickets.
  2. Use the Advanced Custom Fields plugin to create custom fields for any fields from your tickets that you want to include in the table. For example, you might need custom fields for event price and add to cart button.
  3. Go to the Events section in the WP admin, edit each event, and add data to the custom fields you just created. Adding the price is self-explanatory. There are 2 options for adding the 'Book Now' or 'Add to Cart' buttons:
    • You can use the WooCommerce add-to-cart shortcode to insert the 'Add to Cart' buttons for the ticket that corresponds to each event. (To learn how to do this, go to docs.woocommerce.com/document/woocommerce-shortcodes and go to the 'Add to Cart' section.)
    • You can also add the ticket's "add to cart" link URL to the event or product. You need to manually enter the link for each event or product. The link should be in this format: https://yourdomain.com/cart/?add-to-cart=ID. Replace the domain name with your own and the ID with the ticket's ID. To find the ticket's ID, go to the main Products page in WooCommerce and click on the ticket. Look for the ID in the URL.
  4. Now, you can create a table of events that includes these extra fields.

How to use Posts Table Pro as an event directory WordPress plugin

If you'd like to create an event directory for WordPress, rather than a table that simply lists your events, you can make use of Post Table Pro's built-in options to add filters powered by custom taxonomies and turn Posts Table Pro into an event directory WordPress plugin.

That is, you can add categories or tags using The Events Calendar's built-in functionality. Then, you can create a filterable event directory for WordPress powered by those tags.

Here's how to do it...

Step 1: Apply categories and tags in The Events Calendar

First, you'll need to use The Events Calendar plugin's built-in tags or event categories taxonomies to organize your events:

Add categories and tags

If you want more options, you could add additional taxonomies with the free Pods plugin. In fact, if you want to use tags in your directory, we'd definitely recommend this because The Events Calendar doesn't create its own tags taxonomy (instead, it relies on the same tags you use for regular blog posts).

Go further with an A-Z event index or other options

Posts Table Pro lets you add filters for categories and tags, but not venues and organizers.

If you'd like to divide your event directory by those options, you could use a tabbed A-Z index if you only have a few venues/organizers.

Or, if you have a lot of venues/organizers, you could:

  1. Use Posts Table Pro to create separate event directories for each venue on different pages.
  2. Create a table/directory of venues by querying the tribe_venue post type using Posts Table Pro.
  3. Add a custom field to the tribe_venue post type that links to the directory page for that venue.
  4. Display that custom field as a column in your overall venue directory to link to the page with that venue's event directory.

You could do the same thing for organizers by using the tribe_organizer post type.

Use an event directory WordPress theme

For additional functionality, you can also consider an event directory WordPress theme that's built to integrate with The Events Calendar. The Events Calendar collected a list of such themes here.

Can I list recurring events from Events Calendar Pro?

Recurring events can be a challenge for WordPress event plugins, including The Events Calendar Pro. Unfortunately, the plugin doesn't allow you to list each individual event in a series because they are not stored as separate posts in the WordPress database. However, there are several alternatives to consider.

One option is to create the series of events manually without using the recurring events feature. This involves creating one event and then cloning it to create the others in the series using a plugin like Duplicate Post.

Another alternative is to use a different event plugin that supports recurring events, such as Event Espresso or All-in-One Event Calendar. These plugins have their own unique features and layouts, which may better suit your needs.

Alternatively, you can use a custom-coded solution to list recurring events, although this option requires some coding knowledge.

There are several options available to list recurring events in WordPress, even if The Events Calendar Pro does not support it. By exploring the alternatives, you can find the best solution for your website and ensure that your visitors can easily find and engage with your recurring events.

Creating tables using other events calendar plugins

The above instructions explain how to create a table of upcoming events using The Events Calendar plugins by Modern Tribe. If you're using a different plugin such as Event Espresso or Events Manager, you can still use the Posts Table Plugin to display events in a table. However, the syntax for the shortcode will be different.

You'll need to send a support request to the events plugin author to ask for the correct terminology. Specifically, you need to know the name of the events' custom post type, plus the custom fields and taxonomies used to store the event data. To help you with this, here's some wording to send them:

"Hi, I'm using the Posts Table Pro plugin to display a list of upcoming events on my website. I need some information about the data that your plugin stores for my events so that I can display it in the table. Please could you tell me:

- The slug of the custom post type used for the events

- The slug for the following pieces of data and whether each one is a custom field/meta field or taxonomy (now add a list of all the columns you want to display in the table - e.g. event date, date, category, price)

Thank you very much"

Armed with this information about your chosen WordPress event plugin, you can use the instructions in this article to set up your shortcode.

If it's not possible to display a particular piece of information about your event (i.e. because it's stored in the wrong format), don't worry. You can still use the Posts Table Pro plugin to list events in a table. You just need to create your own custom field or taxonomy, add it to the events post type, and manually add the data there. This gives you full control so you can show the event data as a column in the events table or list.

How can I set up the WordPress calendar plugin if I don't already have it?

Before you can start using The Events Calendar plugin, you need to ensure that your website meets the system requirements. The plugin is compatible with WordPress 5.0 or higher and requires PHP 5.6 or higher. Make sure your website is running on the latest version of WordPress and PHP to avoid any compatibility issues.

How to download and install The Events Calendar plugin

To download the plugin, follow these steps:

  1. Go to the WordPress plugin repository or the Modern Tribe website.
  2. Search for "The Events Calendar" plugin.
  3. Click on the "Download" button and save the plugin zip file to your computer.
  4. Log in to your WordPress dashboard and go to the "Plugin" section.
  5. Click on the "Add New" button.
  6. Click on the "Upload Plugin" button.
  7. Choose the plugin zip file you downloaded in step 3 and click "Install Now."
  8. Once the plugin has been installed. click "Activate" to enable the plugin on your website.

Learn how to create a professional events website with the Events Calendar plugin

Consider taking my online course or reading my e-book to learn more about how to create a WordPress events website using The Events Calendar plugin.

The online course contains 36 lectures and over 3.5 hours of video tutorials. In this course, you will learn how to set up professional events website step-by-step. This also includes how to use The Events Calendar plugin to create an events table or list. The course covers everything from choosing a hosting provider to customizing your events page.

The e-book is available on Kindle. This provides a more basic introduction to setting up The Events Calendar. This resource is ideal as a written companion to the online course or as a standalone training book. The e-book covers the essentials of creating an events website, including how to install and configure The Events Calendar plugin.

Using these resources can help you maximize the benefits of The Events Calendar plugin. You may not have been utilizing all of its features and functionalities, which can enhance your event management process.

If you're still choosing a WordPress event plugin for your website, you can also check out our article on 2 ways to take the course and event bookings with WooCommerce.

Hiring a WordPress developer to create your events website

Consider outsourcing your WordPress website development to a web design agency or posting a job on Codeable. It's a marketplace for experienced WordPress developers. The platform ensures high-quality work and allows you to review each person's credentials before choosing the right person.

When you post a job on Codeable, it will be seen by people with experience with The Events Calendar plugin. After you receive quotes, you can check each person's reviews to choose the right person.

Common issues and errors with Events Calendar

The Events Calendar plugin is a powerful tool that allows users to create, manage, and promote events on WordPress. The plugin is generally reliable and easy to use. But there are some common issues and errors that you may encounter.

One of the most common issues is conflicts with other plugins or themes. The Events Calendar plugin relies on a specific set of code and functionality. As well as conflicts with other plugins or themes can cause errors or prevent the plugin from working correctly.

Another common issue is missing or incorrect event data. You may experience issues if you don't enter all the required information. Also, face data synchronization problems between the plugin and other tools. You may also encounter slow loading times or performance problems. This is true for a large number of events or high-traffic volumes.

How to troubleshoot and resolve these issues

There are steps you can take to troubleshoot and solve the problem.

First, you should check for conflicts with other plugins or themes. This can be done by disabling other plugins and switching to a default theme. Try enabling each plugin and theme one by one to find the source of the conflict if the issue disappears.

To fix missing or incorrect event data, check entries to ensure all necessary details are entered. If the problem persists, disable other plugins and themes to rule out conflicts.

Troubleshooting and resolving issues with The Events Calendar plugin requires a combination of attention to detail, patience, and technical know-how. They provide excellent support, so you can always reach out to them with any issues.

What theme is used on the video and screenshots for this post?

The website used in the video tutorial and screenshots is designed using the Avada theme, which is the most popular and bestselling WordPress theme of all time. If you're interested in replicating the design of this website on your own site, it's effortless to do so.

All you need to do is purchase and install the Avada theme on your WordPress site. Avada provides a vast range of customization options. This allows you to tweak your website's layout, colors, fonts, and other design elements. With the help of Avada's drag-and-drop page builder, you can easily create complex page layouts without any coding knowledge.

Apart from its customizable features, the Avada theme is also renowned for its speed, security, and SEO capabilities. These are crucial for ensuring that your website ranks high in search results and loads quickly.

How do I style an event calendar in WordPress?

Styling an event calendar in WordPress can be achieved in different ways. This depends on the plugin used to create the calendar. However, most WordPress event calendar plugins come with pre-built styles. As well as settings that allow users to customize the appearance of the calendar. Here are some general steps you can follow to style an event calendar in WordPress:

  1. Choose a WordPress event calendar plugin that suits your needs and preferences.
  2. Install and activate the plugin on your WordPress site.
  3. Navigate to the settings or customization options of the plugin to access the style settings.
  4. Adjust the settings to customize the colors, fonts, and other design elements of the calendar. Some plugins may offer more advanced options such as custom CSS. This allows you to add your own styles to the calendar.
  5. Preview the changes to see how they affect the appearance of the calendar. Make further adjustments as needed until you achieve the desired look.
  6. Save the settings and publish the calendar on your site.

In addition to the plugin settings, you can also use custom CSS to style the event calendar further. This can be done by adding CSS code to the "Additional CSS" section of your WordPress theme customization settings.

Alternative WordPress Event Calendar Plugins

There are several other WordPress event calendar plugins that you can use besides The Events Calendar plugin. Here are some of the best ones:

  1. WP Event Manager: This plugin is an excellent choice for those who want a lightweight and easy-to-use event calendar solution. It allows you to create events, manage attendees, and sell tickets directly on your website.
  2. All-in-One Event Calendar: This plugin offers a comprehensive set of features. This includes recurring events, custom event attributes, and social sharing options. It also provides a sleek and modern design that's fully responsive and mobile-friendly.
  3. EventOn: This plugin is known for its customizable and stylish design options. It comes with a drag-and-drop builder that allows you to create event calendars with ease. It also offers several add-ons, including ticketing and RSVP management.
  4. Modern Events Calendar: This plugin provides a modern and intuitive user interface. This includes powerful features such as recurring events, countdown timers, and Google Maps integration. It also offers various add-ons, including ticketing and social sharing options.
  5. My Calendar: This plugin is an excellent choice for those who want a simple and lightweight event calendar solution. It provides a range of features, including recurring events in WordPress, custom event attributes, and widget support. It's also highly customizable, allowing you to tweak the design and layout to your liking.

Selecting the right plugin for your website is crucial. It can greatly impact the functionality and overall user experience.

What else can I use the Posts Table Pro plugin for?

After using the WordPress table plugin to list your events in a table, the possibilities for displaying content are endless. The plugin provides you with a flexible way to organize your website's content. It makes it easy for visitors to find and engage with the information they need.

For instance, if you have a knowledge hub with various publications, you can use the table plugin to create a WordPress document library with filters that allow users to sort and search for the specific document they need. YOu can list them in a knowledge hub. You can also use the plugin to showcase audio and video content on your site, creating a video or audio gallery that is easy to navigate and search.

If you have a membership site, you can use the plugin to display a member directory, complete with member profiles and search functionality. This can be a valuable tool for building community and promoting networking among members.

Mastering event creation and management in WordPress

Event creation and management in WordPress can be a breeze if you have the right tools and knowledge. With the tips and tricks mentioned in this article, you can streamline your event creation process and ensure your events are successfully managed. Whether you're using a plugin or custom code, it's important to stay organized and keep track of all your events.

By following the best practices for event creation and management, you can save time and increase engagement with your target audience. So, start mastering your event creation and management skills in WordPress today and take your events to the next level!

16 Comments

  1. the idea to use a flexible serchable table for the presentation of the training is brilliant.
    My question: I am sending to the participants of my course a parcel with DHL. How can I get a csv file with the name, adress, emai of the participants of a specific event? That helps me to prepare the shipping labels.
    Thanks, Willy

    • Hi Willy,

      Thank you for your kind words! I'm afraid that what you're referring to is no longer a feature being offered by the plugin. In order to export the data of customers who purchased or signed up for a specific event (e.g., to a CSV file), which would help you with the printing of the shipping labels for the included parcel, we recommend that you reach out to the Events Calendar plugin's support team regarding this.

  2. Hi there,
    Is there a possibility to add a column with the information that is not given in the event post? Together with start and end date of the event we need to add a column with Deadline as date. The Events Calendar does not have a field for it.
    Thank you.

    • Hi Katya,

      We also replied to your email earlier.

      In any case, you can do what you describe by adding/creating your own custom field since Event Calendar doesn't have a deadline field. You can use a free plugin like Advanced Custom Fields, or another one such as the ones we mentioned here. Use this to add a 'Deadline' field to the 'Tribe Events' post type.

      You can then display this as a column in Posts Table Pro using the instructions at Custom field columns.

      Should you have any other questions/concerns, kindly fill up a form at our Support Center so we can get back to you much sooner.

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