How to use lists in Google Drive for more efficient task management
Google Tasks is a pretty easy way to organize a collection of tasks so you can keep up with whatever you need to get done.
You may be used to apps that give you more options than Google Tasks has to offer. And on the surface, you might think that Google Tasks is too simplistic a feature to really be that valuable.
Do not be so sure. Google Tasks has a trick up its sleeve that enhances its simplicity.
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Said trick is lists. Lists allow you to organize your tasks into categories, so you can create lists with names such as:
- Homework
- homework
- house projects
- Shopping
- entertainment
- work
Under each list, you would then add any relevant tasks (and mark them if you want, and even add subtasks). The beauty of this is that you can select a list to only see the related tasks. In other words, lists make your tasks much more organized and easier to use. The result is more efficient task management.
Let’s see how to add a new list to Google Tasks.
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requirements
The only thing you need is a Google account. Since Tasks is already part of the Google Workspace suite, nothing needs to be installed.
How to create a new list in Google Tasks
First, sign in to your Google account. Once you’ve done that, go to drive.google.com.
You should see the Google Tasks icon in the Drive sidebar. Click this icon to open the Tasks app.
The task icon is the blue circle with the blue check mark. Image: Jack Wallen
With Google Tasks open, click the dropdown menu just below Tasks, then click Create New List.
In the Lists drop-down list, create a new list. Image: Jack Wallen
In the resulting pop-up window, give the new list a name and click Done.
Name your new Google Tasks list. Image: Jack Wallen
At this point you can start adding tasks to your new list. All you have to do is select the new list from the list dropdown and then click Add Task.
Adding a task to a new list. Image: Jack Wallen
Suppose you already have a set of tasks that you created under the Standard List banner. Find the task you want to move, click its three-dot menu, and then select the task’s target list.
Moving a task to another list is easy. Image: Jack Wallen
And that’s all you need to use the list feature in Google Tasks. If you’re serious about task management and don’t want to migrate to another tool, using lists in Google Tasks is a great way to improve upon this fairly simple tool. Try using lists and see if that doesn’t make Google Tasks a more complete application that suits your needs.