Tasks - Tips & Tricks
The Tasks Folder in Outlook provides users with the ability to create and track tasks for themselves AND assign tasks to another user, and then track the progress on that task. Today's tip is designed to provide users with some helpful tips on using Tasks..
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Tasks Tips
- Create a task that includes a file
- Share information about a task with others via a mail message
- Change the order of tasks in a task list
- Workaround for assigning a task to multiple people
- Change the view of the TaskPad
Create a task using a file
This tip is nice in that the user can create a task, assign it to another person, and include a Word document or Excel spreadsheet with information about the task. This is done by dragging a document from your My Documents folder or wherever the file is located, to Outlook and dropping it on the Tasks icon 
or the Tasks button in the Navigation Pane.
Once the document is dropped on the Tasks icon or Tasks button in the navigation pane, a new Task dialog box will open with the document attached.
Fill out the rest of the information for the task and either save it, or assign it.
Share information about a task with others via a mail message
To share all of the information included in an Outlook Task with others, without having to assign the task to them, begin in the Tasks folder. Drag the task to the Mail button 
or the Mail icon
in the Navigation pane.
This will open a new mail message with the Subject of the Task in the Subject line of the mail message, and all the task details in the body of the mail message. This will also include any notes that have been added to the notes area of the task. Below is a partial view of a mail message that was created by dropping a task on the Mail button.
Change the order of tasks in a task list
Begin in the Tasks folder or the Calendar folder with the Taskpad in view. Any task can be moved up or down the list by simply clicking on the task and then dragging it to a new location. While dragging a task the user should see a red line with arrow heads on either end.
Workaround for assigning a task to multiple people
In Outlook there is a limitation that prevents a user from assigning a task to multiple people. This can be very limiting. So, put on your project manager hat and divide the original task into subtasks. Assign the subtasks to the group leader. The group leader can then assign subtasks to individuals. Assigning the subtasks in this manner will provide both you and the group leader with updates on each subtask, and keep you up to date on how things are going with the overall task.
Change the TaskPad's View
Begin in the Calendar folder and right-click on a blank area of the TaskPad. Select TaskPad View. A menu with six views and one option will appear. Select the view that works best for you.
Finally, tasks with No Due Date can be included in any of the six views by repeating the steps listed above, and selecting Include Tasks With No Due Date.