Use the task management access database template

Use the Access Task Management Database template to track a group of work items that you or your team need to complete. You can also search and filter task details, show or hide columns, send e-mail messages, and map task owners' addresses.

Want to watch a video about using this template? See this article, Use the Task Management Database Template.

Note: The Task Management database template has been updated over the last few years. These instructions refer to the latest version of the template available for download. If the steps below don't match what you're seeing, you're probably using an older version of the template.

Using the database

In this article, we cover the basic steps of using the Task Management Database template.

Prepare the database for use

• When you first open the database, Access displays the Welcome form. To prevent this form from displaying the next time you open the database, clear the Show Welcome when this database is opened check box.

  Close the Welcome form to begin using the database.

• To make sure all the database content is enabled, in the Message Bar, click Enable this content.

  For more information about enabling database content, see the article Decide whether to trust a database.

Search for a task or contact

The Quick Search box lets you quickly find a task on the Task List form, or a contact on the Contact List form.

• Type the text you want to search for in the Quick Search box, and then press ENTER.

  Access filters the list to show only those records that contain the text you searched for. To return to the full list, click Clear the current search. (It's the X inside the search box.)

Filter the Task List

On the Task List form, you can filter the list of tasks, and save your favorite filters for future use.

1. Apply filters by right-clicking the form and selecting the filters you want.

2. Click Save Filter.

3. On the Filter Details form, enter a filter name and description, and then click Close.

4. Use the Filter Favorites box to apply a saved filter, or click (Clear Filter) to remove the filter.

Show or hide columns

On the Task List form and the Contact List form, some fields (columns) are hidden by default. To change which fields are displayed:

1. Click Show/Hide Fields.

2. In the Unhide Columns dialog box, select the check box beside each column that you want to show. Clear the check box to hide the column.

Display task or contact details

The Task Details form and the Contact Details form let you view and enter more information about an item. To display the Task Details form or the Contact Details form:

• On the Task Details form or the Contact Details form, click Open next to the item that you want to see.

Add attachments

On the Task Details form and the Contact Details form, you can add pictures and other attachments.

• Under the picture frame on the Task Details form, click Add or Remove Attachments.

  Under the picture frame on the Contact Details form, click Edit Picture.

• In the Attachments dialog box, click Add.

• In the Choose File dialog box, browse to the folder that contains the file.

• Select the file you want to add, and then click Open.

• In the Attachments dialog box, click OK.

Note: You can attach multiple files for each item, including different file types such as documents or spreadsheets.

Add contacts from Microsoft Outlook

If you use Microsoft Outlook, you can add contacts or tasks owners from that program without having to re-type the information.

1. On the Contact List form, click Add From Outlook.

2. In the Select Names to Add dialog box, select the names that you want to add to the database.

3. Click Add, and then click OK.

Display a map of a contact's address

On the Contact Details form, if you have entered a street address for the contact, you can display a map of that location:

• Click Click to Map.

Display reports

The Tasks Database includes several reports, including Active Tasks, Task Details, Contact Address Book, and more. To display a report:

• In the Navigation Pane, under Reports, double-click the report you want to display.

You can create your own custom reports. For more information, see the article Create a simple report.

Modify the Tasks Management Database template

Customize the Tasks database by adding a new field to the Tasks table, and then adding that field to the Task List form, the Task Details form, and the Task Details report.

Add a field to the Tasks table

1. Close all open tabs.

2. In the Navigation Pane, double-click the Tasks table.

3. Scroll to the right until you see the column named Add New Field. Double-click the column heading, and then type in the field name.

The first time you enter data in the column, Access sets the data type for you.

Add a field to a form or report

Once a field has been added to a table, you can then add it to a form or report.

1. Right-click the form or report in the Navigation Pane and then click Layout View.

2. On the Format tab, in the Controls group, click Add Existing Fields.

3. Drag the field you want from the Field List to the form or report.