Have you ever wanted to create a Microsoft Outlook task to remind you to do something with an Excel workbook? You could switch to Outlook, open a task form, and create the task item. However, there’s an easier way to create a task from Excel.

When you’re ready to create the task item, make sure that Outlook and Excel are both open. Also, ensure that you’ve saved the workbook and that the Reviewing toolbar is displayed in Excel. If the toolbar isn’t visible, just right-click on any toolbar and choose Reviewing from the shortcut menu.

To create an Outlook task from your Excel workbook:

1. Click the Create Microsoft Outlook Task (Create Microsoft Office Outlook Task in 2003) button. A new task form is displayed with a shortcut to the open workbook inserted into the form.
2. In the Subject text box, type the name of the task. You can add more descriptive text next to the workbook shortcut.
3. Select the Reminder check box and set the appropriate time and date.
4. Click the Save And Close button.

When the reminder time and date arrive, you’ll see a Reminder message box appear (as long as Outlook is running at the time). In the Reminder message box, click the Open Item button to open the task item, as shown in Figure A. Then, double-click on the workbook shortcut to open the workbook. You can also open the Outlook task item from Outlook to access the workbook shortcut.

Note that this button doesn’t exist in Excel 2007. The Office 2007 suite is optimized for use with SharePoint services, and you would perform a task like this one using SharePoint instead of doing it right from your Excel application.

Filed under: Microsoft Office Tutor