Did you ever look for a simple calendar online, one you could download or copy, and finally decide that no such thing existed? If you do a search for "free calendar" or "printable calendar" you will see hundreds of sites but it may be difficult to find just what you want. However, there ARE many free generic calendars on line and knowing how to look may help zero in on what you want.

The secret is in what search words you use; the more parallel to your needs, the closer you get. Be specific in your search terms. A place to begin might be: "2008 free calendar formats". If that doesn't give you what you want try adding words like Excel, Word, PDF, printable, or monthly, yearly, weekly, full page, quarterly, portrait/landscape, etc. For example: "free 2008 printable Excel calendar spreadsheet" or "calendar word download 2008 annual free" are more specific. Most big sites that offer calendars will have more than one year so the "2008" is not necessary, but a web page with 2008 in it's keywords, description and page title will frequently be closer to what you really want.

Many sites offer a single month at a time. That works okay since people only print one month at a time. Downloads are usually in Word, Adobe, or Excel. Which you use depends on which software you are comfortable with. If you know Excel best then get an Excel calendar. If you are very good with Word, there are formats available which can be adjusted on the screen. It takes some practice to add notes to any template, but it's not too bad with practice.

Another complicating factor is whether you download the file or a page, print a page, or sign up for an emailed download. All three work, but some form of file will be most flexible. Usually you have to pay for that.

Most "free" calendars come in a full page format but you can find others. In full-page calendars there are both portrait and landscape; large numbers with no space or small numbers with lots of space. You can also get half-page and quarter page. Then there are formats to see the whole year, or a few months, at a glance. You can find 6-up horizontal or 2-up verticals showing all 12 months, or strip calendars in horizontal and vertical with all 12 months in row. And, there are other calendars which list the dates down the left, and possibly the week days, with spaces to the right for notes or appointments.

One thing that makes a search like this more difficult is that many sites are either directories or attempting to sell a calendar program. The latter usually have something free to give away, but if they want you to buy a program the one they are giving away is pretty generic. Don't waste time trying to make the free one work if it isn't perfect on the surface. There are other choices that are completely free. You may have to try several options, but if you are patient and persistent you can find a truly free and printable calendar.

Article by Bob Cole, publisher of Advertising www.Calendar.com. The site includes a (no strings attached) free printable calendar http://www.advertising-calendar.com/free-printable-calendar-download in the form of an Excel spreadsheet already downloaded by over 10000 individuals. The site presents a creative approach to advertising via calendars.