Task organisation
Hierarchical task properties
Hierarchical properties let you define shared settings for a folder or list. Tasks inside it can inherit these settings instead of requiring the same property to be configured separately for each task.
Default properties for new folders and lists
All hierarchical properties in a new folder or list are set to Inherit by default.
This means that the new folder or list uses the properties provided by its current location in the hierarchy. You only need to change a property when you want different behaviour for that folder, list, or the items inside it.
If you move a folder or list without changing its default properties, it begins inheriting properties from its new parent folder. If it is moved to the top level, it inherits from the app settings. Values inherited before the move are not saved as custom values.
Properties set to Custom, None, Enabled, or Disabled remain unchanged after the folder or list is moved.
Properties that can be inherited
| Property | How it is inherited |
|---|---|
| Duration | Provides an expected duration for tasks that do not define their own. |
| Reminder | Provides a default reminder time for tasks below the folder or list. |
| Colour | Applies a shared colour to folders, lists, and tasks that inherit it. |
| Autocomplete status | Determines whether autocomplete can place tasks below the folder or list. |
| Hard deadline | Determines whether task deadlines are treated as hard deadlines. |
| Schedule | Determines which schedule slots autocomplete can use for the tasks. |
| Chunking | Determines whether autocomplete can split a task into smaller parts when a schedule slot does not have enough time for the full task. |
| Minimum chunk duration | Sets the smallest part autocomplete may create. |
| Preferred chunk duration | Sets the preferred size of each task part. |
Minimum and preferred chunk durations are available when chunking is enabled.
Property options
The available options depend on the property:
| Option | What it does |
|---|---|
| Inherit | Uses the value provided by the nearest folder, list, or app setting above the current item. |
| Custom | Defines a different value for the current item and items below it. |
| None | Removes the inherited value from the current item and items below it. |
| Enabled | Turns a setting on for the current item and items below it. |
| Disabled | Turns a setting off for the current item and items below it. |
Duration and schedule provide Inherit, None, and Custom options.
Autocomplete, hard deadlines, and chunking provide Inherit, Enabled, and Disabled options.
Colour provides Inherit and Custom options.
Set a property on a folder or list
- Right-click the folder or list.
- Open the property you want to change.
- Select one of the available options.
- If you selected Custom, choose or enter the value.
The menu shows (inherited) when the displayed value comes from a higher folder, list, or app setting.
Override an inherited property
To use a different setting for a folder, list, or task, change the property from Inherit to Custom, then choose a value.
For example, suppose the Work folder contains a list named Quick tasks. The folder sets an expected duration of one hour, but you set a custom duration of 15 minutes for Quick tasks. Tasks in this list that inherit the property use 15 minutes, while tasks in other lists inside Work continue to use one hour.
You can also set a custom value directly on an individual task. This value takes priority over the settings inherited from its list and folders. Reset the property to Inherit when you want the task to follow the hierarchy again. See Task properties for the settings available on individual tasks.
When you change a property on a folder or list, the new value is applied to existing items that inherit it. Items with custom values remain unchanged. If the property affects scheduling, autocomplete updates the calendar accordingly. Learn more in Autocomplete.
Stop inheriting a property
Select None or Disabled when you do not want an inherited property to apply.
For example:
- select None for schedule to prevent tasks from inheriting a schedule;
- select Disabled for autocomplete to prevent autocomplete from placing tasks;
- select Disabled for chunking to keep tasks in one continuous block.
The selected option also applies to items below the current folder or list unless they override it.
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