Calendar Problems

How to Show Outlook Tasks at the Bottom of Calendar Days

Partner Editor Sep 27, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user wants to display tasks at the bottom of the work-week calendar instead of having them appear in a side panel.

How to Show Outlook Tasks at the Bottom of Calendar Days

Product: Microsoft Outlook
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Organizing and viewing daily tasks seamlessly alongside the weekly calendar schedule.
Observed behavior: Tasks are currently opening in a distracting sidebar, disrupting the preferred view where tasks are aligned at the bottom of each respective calendar day.

Before you start

Verify whether you are using the classic Outlook desktop application or the new Outlook. The Daily Task List layout option is exclusively available in the classic version of Outlook.

Solution 1Recommended

Reset the Task List and Reading Pane Settings

By temporarily toggling the Daily Task List and moving the Reading Pane to the bottom, you can force classic Outlook to restore the tasks to the bottom of your calendar days.

Sometimes Outlook's layout settings conflict, causing tasks to default to the right-hand sidebar. Adjusting the Reading Pane clears this layout glitch and allows the Daily Task List to dock correctly at the bottom of the screen.

Turn off the Daily Task List

Open your Outlook Calendar. Navigate to the 'View' tab on the top ribbon, click on 'Daily Task List' in the Layout group, and select 'Off'.

Set the Reading Pane to the bottom

Still in the 'View' tab, click on 'Reading Pane' and select 'Bottom' from the drop-down menu.

Re-enable the Daily Task List

Click on 'Daily Task List' once more and select 'Normal'. Your tasks should now successfully appear docked at the bottom of each calendar day.

Reset the Task List and Reading Pane Settings

Version Compatibility: This specific layout adjustment only applies to classic Outlook. The new Outlook and Outlook on the web handle tasks differently through the 'My Day' side pane.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why can't I find the Daily Task List option in my Outlook?

If you are using the new Outlook for Windows or Outlook on the web, the traditional Daily Task List feature has been replaced by the 'My Day' (To Do) sidebar. The bottom task layout is exclusive to the classic Outlook desktop application.

Can I change the size of the task area at the bottom of the calendar?

Yes, in classic Outlook, you can hover your cursor over the horizontal border separating your calendar and the Daily Task List. When the cursor turns into a double-headed arrow, click and drag it up or down to resize the task pane.

How do I view completed tasks in the calendar's bottom layout?

Go to the View tab, click on Daily Task List, and ensure 'Normal' is selected rather than 'Minimized'. Completed tasks will remain visible on the day they were completed, displayed with a strikethrough line.

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