Filter the Outlook To-Do List to Show Only Tasks

Not everyone likes the To-Do List opening as the default folder when switching to the Task pane. Some users just want to see tasks, not flagged messages, and would like to delete the To-Do list or set the Tasks folder to open by default:

I have a problem with the To-Do List under My Tasks in Outlook, in the navigation pane. I have my Tasks set up in Tasks. I do not use the To-Do List. My Tasks are in Tasks, and I am constantly selecting that list to view, but Outlook thinks it should default back to the To-Do List, which is not where my Tasks are. How do I stop this from happening?

While you can’t delete the To-Do List or set the Task list to be the default folder,  you can create a custom view that hides everything except tasks.  You’ll need to create the filter on the Filter dialog’s Advanced tab, using Message Class, contains, task  (or ipm.task) to show only task items. If you want to hide completed tasks, add Date Completed, does not exist. You can also add Flag Completed date, does not exist although this shouldn’t be necessary since you are hiding all non-task items. (It’s a good reminder of what fields you need if you ever want to see flagged items and exclude the completed items.)

Your completed filter will look like this:

A tutorial is available here: Filter the To-Do list to show only Tasks (SEE BELOW: )

 

 

Filter the To-Do list to show only Tasks

If you don’t care for the To-Do folder showing flagged messages and only want to see Tasks, you can create a custom view that hides everything except tasks.

You can use this method on the To-Do Bar’s Task list, however, only one view is supported so you can’t switch between views as you can in other folders. If you want to use different views you need to keep editing this filter or view the To-do list in the Task module, where you can create as many custom views as needed.

 

Note: You can’t delete the To-Do list folder or set the Tasks folder as default when opening the Tasks module unless you use VBA. See Always use Tasks, not Outlook’s To-Do List for a code sample.

You’ll use the Filter dialog’s Advanced tab, using Message Class, contains, task (or ipm.task) to show only task items.

To hide completed tasks, add Date Completed, does not exist. You can also add Flag Completed date, does not exist although this isn’t necessary since you are hiding all non-task items.

1. Click on the row of field names
   
2. Choose Custom… from the bottom of the menu
3. Click the Filter button
4. Switch to the Advanced tab
5. Type Message class in the field, or select it from the Field drop down
6. Leave ‘contains’ as the Condition
7. Type task in the Value field. (Or IPM.Task)
   
8. To hide completed items, add Date Completed does not exist to the filter.
   
9. Click Ok and return to Outlook

Date Filter

To create a filter by date, open the filter dialog and switch to the Advanced tab.

1. Click the Field drop-down button and select from the Date/Time fields.
2. Choose the Due date field.
3. As the Condition, choose “on or before”.
4. In the Value field, type “3 weeks from now” (without the quotes) or even “now + 3 weeks”

You can also use a formula such as NOW(3*WEEK(()), but many natural language phrases and simple formulas will work just as well and don’t require even basic knowledge of SQL.Filter

Create a filtered task view Video tutorial to show how to create a filter to show only tasks due within the next 30 days. (YouTube)

Filter the To-Do List Tutorial

Filter the To-Do List

 

 

• You can use the same method on the To-Do Bar task list.
• You can select Message class field from any of the ‘All [item type]’ lists.

 

Original Link:  http://www.slipstick.com/outlook/tasks/filter-the-to-do-list-to-show-only-tasks/