Task actions

Tasks are the basic unit of action in Asana. You can; create new tasks, duplicate an existing task, merge two tasks together, print a task or delete a task.

Task names are listed in the main panemain pane When you select a project, tag, or person, you will see the relevant list of tasks in the main pane. Read more . Click any task to load its details load in the right paneright pane The right pane holds the details of a task or Conversation. Read more .

Create Tasks

Create tasks quickly by typing them in a list in the main pane or by using our shortcut called Quick Add. You can also create tasks by sending a message from any email address associated with your account or via your iOSiOS Asana’s mobile application available for iOS devices. Read more and AndroidAndroid Asana's mobile application for Android devices. Read more devices.

Task names are often the calls to action for the task, while more specific information resides in the task description, an editable field in the right pane, and discussion in the comments.

Type Tasks in a List

Think of Asana’s main pane as a text editor. Create and edit tasks by typing text in the main pane.

A task will automatically delete itself if you do not name the task. If you would like to keep an empty task, simply add a space in the title field.

Add Task button from List View

Use Quick Add

Use Quick Add to easily create a task from anywhere in Asana.

Press TAB+Q on your keyboard to open up the quick add task dialog.

Available custom fields will show in your Quick Add menu when you add the task to a project that uses them.

Task Permissions

Learn more about task permissions and how to adjust them in the Permissions section of the Guide.

If you forget to give the task an assignee or project, it will default as assigned to you so you can find it easily in your My Tasks list.

Task Actions

Duplicate Tasks

You can only duplicate one task at a time.

Merge Duplicate Tasks

If a task closely resembles another, you can merge the two in the right paneright pane The right pane holds the details of a task or Conversation. Read more .

You will be navigated to the other task (its project will load in the main pane) and you’ll see an undo option at the top of the main panemain pane When you select a project, tag, or person, you will see the relevant list of tasks in the main pane. Read more .

The tagstags Use tags to mark tasks or group together similar tasks. Read more , followers, and heartshearts Adding a heart is an easy way to express enthusiasm for a task, offer agreement to a comment, or express gratitude for a task completion. Read more of the duplicate task will be added to the master task. The duplicate task will be marked complete and you will see the word [Duplicate] affixed to its name.

We will notify the following people about the merge via email (if they have email notifications turned on) or InboxInbox My Inbox displays activity on tasks, projects, or conversations a user follows. Read more :  

• The followersfollowers Add followers to any task and they will receive notifications about updates to the task. Read more of the duplicate task
• The creator and task assigneeassignee The person responsible for the task or subtask. Asana allows one assignee per task or subtask. Read more of the master task

Attachments from the duplicate task will not be added to the master task.

Copy Task Link

Copy the task URL to easily share it with your colleagues.

Convert Task to Project

In Organizations, you also select what Team the project should be created in. By default, the project will be created in the same Team as the original task.

Your new project

After a task is converted into a project, many of its details will convert over to the new project:

Original field:	New field:
Task name	Project name
Task descriptionTask description Task description is a text field that allows users to add details and context to their tasks. Read more	Project description
Task assigneeassignee The person responsible for the task or subtask. Asana allows one assignee per task or subtask. Read more	Project ownerProject owner Every project can have one Project Owner. They are able to set status updates for the project. Read more
Task followersfollowers Add followers to any task and they will receive notifications about updates to the task. Read more	Project membersProject members Someone that has access to and receives notifications about a project. Read more
SubtasksSubtasks Subtasks break a task into smaller pieces. Subtasks, like tasks, have assignees, due dates, comments, and hearts. Read more	parent tasks

Additionally, a link to the original task will be included in the project descriptionproject description The project description is a place to provide teammates with the goals and overview of a project. Read more .

Task attachmentsattachments A file that is attached to a task or conversation. Read more and task commentscomments Comment on a task or conversation to offer help, answer questions, and help move work forward. Read more do not convert over and will remain in the original task.

The original task

A link to the new project will be included in the original task’s right pane.

Permissions

After a task is converted into a project, the new project will inherit the original task’s permissions.

• A public taskpublic task A public task is visible to all Members of the Workspace or Organization. Read more will convert to a public projectpublic project Public Projects are visible to all Team and project members. Read more
• A private taskprivate task A private task is only visible to task followers. Tasks created in My Tasks are private by default. Read more will convert into a private projectprivate project Private Projects are visible to the Project Members only. Read more

A task private to a group of Members will convert:

• To a public project in a free Workspace, Team, or Organization
• To a project private to a group of Members in a premium Workspace, Team, or Organization

Print a Task

You have the option to print out a specific task and its details.

Learn how to print an entire list of tasks here..  

Full Screen Mode

Enter full screen mode if you’d like to focus on a single task or presenting in a meeting.

Delete Tasks

If you create a task in error or decide it’s unnecessary, you can delete it.

There are three ways to delete a task:

• From the main panemain pane When you select a project, tag, or person, you will see the relevant list of tasks in the main pane. Read more : click into/select the desired task and press Tab+Backspace on your keyboard
• From the sidebarsidebar Use the sidebar to navigate to the dashboard, starred items, projects, and teams. The sidebar can be collapsed. Read more - drag the task onto the Deleted Tasks icon
• From the right paneright pane The right pane holds the details of a task or Conversation. Read more : Click the three dots icon and select Delete Task from the drop down menu

Deleted Items View

Deleted Items view allows the person whom created or deleted the task, subtask, or Conversation to restore it. This is the equivalent of a trash can or recycle bin on your computer.

Items that you deleted or created will load in the main panemain pane When you select a project, tag, or person, you will see the relevant list of tasks in the main pane. Read more .

You’ll also find deleted Conversations in the Deleted Items view.

Deleted Items in Search Views

You can include or exclude deleted items from any Search ViewSearch View A Search View is a list of tasks or conversations that meet the criteria a user specifies in search. Read more .