Creating Tasks and Task Options

This guide provides step-by-step instructions on how to create tasks and task options in Asana. It covers assigning tasks, setting due dates, moving tasks between sections, adding task descriptions, attaching files, adding tags, marking tasks as milestones, converting tasks to templates or subtasks, creating follow-up tasks, and adding tasks to multiple projects.

Emily Kokol-Rivera
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31 steps
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3 minutes

Asana

Once in your project, select "Add task".

Give your task an actionable name.

Assign this task to whomever will be responsible for it. You can only assign a task to one person.

Select who will be responsible from the drop down menu. Once a task is assigned to someone, they will receive notification about the task from Asana as long as they have been previously added to the project.

Then add a due date for the task.

You can type in a date or select from the drop down calendar.

You can also choose to add a specific time to the task due date.

Selecting a time is an option but not necessary.

Complete as much information as possible in the task fields. This ensures whomever the task has been assigned to will have the information required.

To Move a Task Between Sections

To move a task to a specific section of the project, click "Move tasks between sections" next to the task you would like to move.

Select which section you would like to move the task to and the task will move to that section.

You will fill in as many fields as possible. Think of the task as an email being sent to whomever it was assigned to: Task name = subject of email Assignee = recipient of email Due Date = add a start and due date whenever possible Status = where are you in the process of completing this task Description = body of email Attachments = same Followers = anyone CC'd on the email Comments = replies to the email thread

How to Create a Task Option 2

Tasks can also be created in already existing section. Select the plus sign next to the section where you would like to task to be created.

The same blank task that we filled in previously will pop up with the same options. For more task options, select the side arrow next to the task.

A side bar will pop open with the same fields options for task information plus some additional options.

You will fill in as many fields as possible. Think of the task as an email to whomever the task has been assigned to: Task name = subject of email Assignee = recipient of email Due Date = add a start and due date whenever possible Status = where are you in the process of completing this task Description = body of email Attachments = same Followers = anyone CC'd on the email Comments = replies to the email thread

If more information is required than is available in the task title, utilize the task description.

Attaching a File to a Task

You can also attach files to a task.

These can be from your computer, One Drive, or SharePoint.

More task options can be found under the three ellipses.

Adding a Tag to a Task

You can add tags to tasks.

You can create custom tags at any time.

Giving your tag a color will ensure the color coding shows in your calendar view.

Mark a Task as a Milestone

Click "Mark as milestone"

Once a task has been marked as a milestone, you would use the same 3 ellipses to unmark the task as a milestone.

Creating a Task Template from a Current Task

A task you use often can also be turned into a task template for later use in the same project by clicking "Convert task to template".

How to Convert a Task to a Project or Subtask

While in task options, select "Convert to" and then select project or subtask.

How to Create a Follow-Up Task

Within task options, you can also create a follow up task. It will create a second task with the title "Follow up on [name of task you created it from]" and assign it to you.

This is what the follow up task creation would look like.

Add a task to Another Project

Click "Add to another project"

This would allow you to add a task to another project in addition to the project the task currently is housed in.