Objectives
Generally: To create and manage a Task List.
Specifically: On completion of this section, you will be able to:
- Add an action to the Task List
- Assign a task to a category
- Mark a task as completed
- Edit a task
- Sort the Task List
- Filter tasks
- Move a task into the appointment book
- Delete a task
The Task List is a list of actions to be completed. You can give a task a date on which it must be completed. You will then see a reminder as you load up Outlook that a task is overdue. You can filter tasks so that you see only a subset of tasks, for example, tasks that are overdue.
Use the TaskPad to view your Task List in the Calendar to quickly see tasks that are due on a certain day and to schedule time to work on a task.
If you want to schedule time for a task to be completed you can move or copy tasks from the TaskPad to the Schedule.
Adding a Task
Tasks are closely linked to the Calendar. Actions can be added to your Task List either in the Calendar view on the TaskPad or by using the Task dialogue box, accessed from the Outlook bar Task button.
To add a task
- In the Calendar TaskPad, click in the box Click here to add a new Task
- Enter the subject of the task
- To enter more details, double-click in the subject box
The Task dialogue box is displayed.

Task dialogue box
- In the Due date: box, click the drop-down arrow to set a date by which the task should be completed
- In the Start date: box, click the down arrow and select a start date for the task
- In the Status: box, click the down arrow and select a status for the task
- In the Priority: box, type or select a priority between Low, Normal and High
- In the Reminder: box, click to set a reminder for the task
- Specify how long before the task start or end date and time that you want a reminder message to appear
Categories are used to keep associated tasks together much like a project.
- Click the Categories... button
The Categories dialogue box is displayed.

Categories dialogue box
- Enter a new category and click Add to List
OR
- From the Available categories: scroll box, select an existing category
- Click OK
- On the Task toolbar, click the Save and Close button
The task appears in the TaskPad list.
Continued...