This article is for Outlook users running version 2003. It will show you how to better utilise the home base view we created back in Part 1 – in particular one section of it, the TaskPad.
If you’re running Outlook, version 2007: check out the article I wrote before this one: Part 4(a), which will show you how to achieve the same results by customising the To-Do bar.
The purpose of customising the Taskpad is so we can begin to use it as a planning tool rather than just a list. Firstly, click on ‘Calendar’ in your folder list and ensure that the TaskPad is showing on the right-hand side of the screen.
If it is not there go up to the View button and, in the drop-down menu, go to where it says TaskPad and click on it. This should bring TaskPad into view.
Now, look at the bar just below the ‘date navigator’ where you should see the word TaskPad.
Right-click on the bar and you should be greeted with a pop-up, go to where it says ‘Customize Current View’ and click on it.
The following box should appear…
Click on the button marked Fields and change the list of available fields on the right-hand side of the screen to match those in the picture below.
Then click okay. From here go to the button marked Group By. In the first drop-down under ‘Group items by’, scroll down until you find ‘Complete’ and click on it. Make sure that it is also set as ‘Ascending’.
In the ‘Then by’ field, scroll down and find ‘Priority’ and click on that making sure it is set to ‘Descending’.
Click okay.
Now go to the button marked Sort and ensure that the drop down under ‘Sort items by’ is set to ‘Subject’ and ‘Ascending’.
Click okay once, then click it again to get back to the main Outlook screen.
From here, go back up to the View button and come down and find ‘TaskPad View’. In the drop-down that appears, make sure that it is set to ‘Active Tasks for Selected Days’.
Now you should be able to see a difference in the information that you are receiving from the TaskPad bar and how it is set out. If everything has gone well, it should look like this.
This view should allow you to see the work you have to get done today. But you can also click through the dates in the date navigator, to see all of the work you have scheduled in for completion.
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
You have made my day with this procedure. Thank you for making my task list useful.
– Rachel in Australia