This article explains how to set up and manage your tasks in Gmail. It includes information on how to see completed tasks and how to delete a task.

What to Know

  • Open your Gmail inbox and select the Tasks icon. Select Get Started to open the main Tasks screen.Select Add a task. Enter a descriptive name and notes, assign a category, and add sub-tasks, if needed.For a reminder, choose Edit next to the task. Select Add date/time. Select a date on the calendar. Choose Set time and pick a time.

Get Started With Tasks in Gmail

Gmail includes a powerful task manager you can use to keep up with your tasks and create simple lists. Along with adding tasks to a list, you can make tasks sub-tasks (or dependents) of other tasks and set up multiple task lists to organize your activities.

By default, the task list in Gmail is hidden behind a menu, but you have the option to have it open, display in the lower-right corner of the Gmail screen, or minimize it to the right side if it’s in the way.

  • Open your Gmail inbox and select Tasks from the right panel (the icon looks like a checkmark).
  • Select Get started.
  • The sub-window changes, and the main Tasks screen appears.

How to Create a New Task

With the Tasks screen open, you can start using it. Here’s how to add a new task.

Open your Gmail inbox and select Tasks from the right panel (the icon looks like a checkmark).

Select Get started.

The sub-window changes, and the main Tasks screen appears.

  • Select Add a task.
  • In the new task field, enter a descriptive name, then add any details.
  • To make changes to the task, select Edit (the pencil icon located to the right of the new task).
  • Add notes, set a date and time, categorize the task, and add subtasks for multi-step projects.
  • When you’re done, press the back arrow.

How to Set a Reminder Date and Time

To add a task to your calendar so you get a reminder when the task is due:

Select Add a task.

In the new task field, enter a descriptive name, then add any details.

To make changes to the task, select Edit (the pencil icon located to the right of the new task).

Add notes, set a date and time, categorize the task, and add subtasks for multi-step projects.

When you’re done, press the back arrow.

  • Select Edit next to the task you want to set a date or time.
  • On the edit screen, select Add date/time.
  • On the calendar, select the date you need to complete the task.
  • Select Set time, then use the time selection menu to pick the time the task is due.
  • If the task repeats, choose Repeat.
  • When you’re satisfied with everything, select OK.

How to Add Subtasks

When a task requires several smaller steps to complete, add these subtasks to the main task.

Select Edit next to the task you want to set a date or time.

On the edit screen, select Add date/time.

On the calendar, select the date you need to complete the task.

Select Set time, then use the time selection menu to pick the time the task is due.

If the task repeats, choose Repeat.

When you’re satisfied with everything, select OK.

Link to-do items to emails so you don’t have to search for the email that details everything you need to know to complete a task.

  • Select Edit next to the task.
  • Choose Add subtasks.
  • Enter a description of the subtask in the new field that appears.
  • Select Add subtasks to add additional subtask entries.
  • To complete a subtask, select the circle to the left of its name to check it off.
  • To delete a subtask, delete the name of the subtask, then press Backspace in the empty task.

How to See Completed Tasks

When you want to know which tasks are checked off your list, view the completed tasks. They appear at the bottom of the tasks pane.

Select Edit next to the task.

Choose Add subtasks.

Enter a description of the subtask in the new field that appears.

Select Add subtasks to add additional subtask entries.

To complete a subtask, select the circle to the left of its name to check it off.

To delete a subtask, delete the name of the subtask, then press Backspace in the empty task.

  • Select the Completed down arrow to display completed tasks.
  • The tasks that you finished appear with a check mark to the left and a line through the task name.
  • Hover over a completed task, then select the trash can icon to delete it.

How to Delete a Task

To remove a task from a task list:

Select the Completed down arrow to display completed tasks.

The tasks that you finished appear with a check mark to the left and a line through the task name.

Hover over a completed task, then select the trash can icon to delete it.

  • Select Edit next to the task you want to delete.
  • Select the trash can to delete the task.
  • After the task is deleted, an option to Undo the delete appears at the bottom of the window for a few seconds.

Select Edit next to the task you want to delete.

Select the trash can to delete the task.

After the task is deleted, an option to Undo the delete appears at the bottom of the window for a few seconds.

Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day