Outlook Tasks and To-Do's

This section contains information about Microsoft Outlook Tasks, the To-Do list, and To-Do Bar.

Beginning with Outlook 2007 and Outlook 2010, the taskpad is replaced by the To-do bar, which is visible in all Outlook folders. In addition, the Calendar folder has a Daily task list, which replaces the taskpad in older versions.

The "tasks for the selected day" view is not available in either Microsoft Outlook 2010 or 2007.

Always use Tasks, not Outlook's To-Do List

  • How to use VBA to always select the desired Task folder when you open the Tasks navigation pane.

    • How to create a "Next 21 days" Task filter

  • How to use SQL filters to create a filter to show the next 21 days (or any period of your choosing) in Advanced find, custom views, or search folders.

    • Creating Outlook Tasks "x" Days from a Date

  • How to calculate dates in Outlook Tasks and create a series of Outlook Tasks based off of one date.

    • How to use Outlook Tasks

  • Learn how to use Microsoft Outlook Tasks. Common questions answered. Learn how to use assigned tasks, move tasks, mark tasks complete and keep the reminder.

    • Filter the To-Do List to Show Only Tasks

  • How to create a custom filter to show only Tasks in the To-Do Bar folder.

    • Syncing Outlook Tasks with Hotmail and Windows Phone

  • We get the occasional question asking when the Outlook Connector will support syncing Tasks with Hotmail.  Over the past several weeks, I've had several users ask if the Hotmail Connector is going to sync tasks, since Windows Phone "Mango" now syncs Hotmail Tasks. No, the Outlook Hotmail Connector will not sync Tasks to Hotmail Live  

    • Open a webpage when a Task reminder fires

  • This simple macro uses a Task to open a web address in Internet Explorer when a reminder fires.

    • Change the look of the TaskPad in the Calendar

  • If you want to change the look of the taskpad you can start by choosing View | TaskPad View and picking one of the built-in views: All Tasks Today's Tasks Active Tasks for Selected Days Tasks for Next Seven Days Overdue Tasks Tasks Completed on Selected Days If none of those views meets your needs,  

    • What is the "Custom Priority" field?

  • The Custom Priority field seen in Outlook's Tasks folder is used with linked SharePoint server tasks lists.

    • Create a Series of Tasks using VBA

  • Using VBA, you can automatically create a series of Outlook tasks based on a task or appointment. You can create the tasks leading up to an appointment or task or following an appointment or task.

    • Can't Accept or Decline Tasks

  • Outlook 2010 We're seeing reports from users that sending Task invitations through an IMAP account is "breaking" the accept and decline buttons. The workaround: Switch to a POP3 account, if supported. Outlook 2003 If you discover you are unable to accept or decline tasks, the likely cause is a failed update. The Security Update for  

    • "Type a task" Due date and reminder times

  • When you use the Type a task field in the To-do bar, the due date is set automatically for you, picked up from the Quick Click flag setting. The reminder time is based on the Quick Flag – Today flags have reminders set for one hour before the end of your work day as set