Python calendar.TextCalendar Class: Usage and Examples

Customize text calendar output with the TextCalendar class.

How It Works

calendar.TextCalendar(firstweekday=...) creates configurable text calendars. formatmonth() returns a string; prmonth() prints it. The firstweekday argument follows calendar weekday constants.

Step-by-Step Example

import calendar
text_calendar = calendar.TextCalendar(firstweekday=calendar.SUNDAY)
result = text_calendar.formatmonth(2026, 10)
print('October' in result)
print(result.splitlines()[1].strip().startswith('Su'))

Understanding the Example

The expression 'calendar.TextCalendar(firstweekday=calendar.SUNDAY)' supplies the value stored as 'text_calendar'. This value is then used or checked by the later statements.
The expression 'text_calendar.formatmonth(2026, 10)' supplies the value stored as 'result'. This value is then used or checked by the later statements.

A successful run of this example prints the following output:

True
True

Where This Fits in a Real Program

For event timestamps, distinguish the displayed local clock from the instant that it represents. Store or exchange an unambiguous aware value, then convert it when displaying it to a user. For repeated calendar appointments, use a geographic timezone so daylight-saving rules are not lost.

Practice: Try It Yourself

For calculations use date and monthrange rather than parsing formatted text.

For this exercise, predict the result before running the changed code. Then explain the difference between the original and modified cases using the actual values, not just whether the program completed.

Common Beginner Mistakes

Confusing formatmonth() return values with prmonth() printing behavior.
Create Monday-first and Sunday-first calendar views.

Key Takeaways

Customize text calendar output with the TextCalendar class.
calendar.TextCalendar(firstweekday=...) creates configurable text calendars.
Apply the demonstrated operation to the practice input and verify its result before depending on it in a larger program.