Microsoft® Outlook® 2007 Bible

Chapter 15. Keeping Track of Tasks

IN THIS CHAPTER

• About tasks

• The Task view

• Defining a new task

• Assigning a task to someone

• Using assigned tasks

• Understanding task options

In today's busy world, few of us have any shortage of things to do. There always seems to be a list of tasks waiting for our attention. Particularly in a high-pressure business or professional environment, it can be very important to keep track of your tasks so that you can organize your time efficiently. Outlook's Task feature is a powerful tool that can greatly simplify this.

Understanding Tasks

A task is similar to an appointment in that it is something you must attend to. It is different in that it does not have a specific date or time associated with it, although it may well have a due date by which it is supposed to be completed. In this sense, Outlook tasks are pretty much like a paper to-do list that you stick on the fridge. When you look a little deeper, however, you'll find they can do so much more:

• You can be reminded of a task at a specified time and date.

• You can specify different priorities for different tasks.

• You can assign a task to someone else and send them a message with the required information.

• You can assign a status to a task (not started, in progress, and so on) as well as a percent completed value.

• You can send a status report on a task to other people.

I find that Outlook's Task feature is something I use all the time.

Using the Task View

To switch to Task view in Outlook, click the Tasks button in ...