Office Settings & Configuration

How to Enable the Outlook Task Flag in the OneNote Ribbon

Natalie Taylor Oct 10, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user needs to restore the Outlook Task Flag command in the OneNote ribbon after it has been disabled.

How to Enable the Outlook Task Flag in the OneNote Ribbon

Product: Microsoft OneNote
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to create and sync Outlook tasks directly from notes within OneNote.
Observed behavior: The Outlook Task Flag command is greyed out or missing from the OneNote ribbon, frequently occurring after the 'new Outlook' experience is enabled.

Before you start

Ensure both Microsoft OneNote and Outlook are installed on your device and that you are signed into both applications using the same Microsoft account.

Solution 1Recommended

Switch to Classic Outlook and Update OneNote

Reverting from the new Outlook experience to the classic version typically restores the COM add-in integration required for OneNote task flagging.

The new Outlook interface currently lacks full support for several classic integrations, including the direct task flag synchronization with OneNote. Disabling the new Outlook experience is the most effective way to re-enable this feature.

Close OneNote

Make sure Microsoft OneNote is completely closed before making changes to your Outlook settings.

Disable the new Outlook

Open Microsoft Outlook. Locate the 'New Outlook' toggle in the upper-right corner of the window and switch it off to revert to classic Outlook.

Update OneNote

Reopen OneNote. Navigate to File > Account > Update Options and click 'Update Now' to ensure you are running the latest version.

Verify the command

Once the update is complete, check the OneNote ribbon. The Outlook Task Flag command should now be active and clickable.

Switch to Classic Outlook and Update OneNote

Synchronization Delay: After restoring the feature, flagged tasks may take a moment to synchronize with Microsoft To Do and the classic Outlook Tasks list.

Solution 2

Repair or Reinstall Microsoft 365

If reverting to classic Outlook does not resolve the issue, the Office installation might be corrupted and requires a repair.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the Outlook Tasks button greyed out in OneNote?

This commonly happens when you opt into the 'new Outlook' interface. The new Outlook does not currently support the legacy COM add-ins that OneNote relies on to synchronize flagged tasks.

Do OneNote flagged tasks sync with Microsoft To Do?

Yes, provided you are using classic Outlook and are signed into OneNote, Outlook, and To Do with the identical Microsoft account. Tasks flagged in OneNote sync to Outlook Tasks, which then automatically sync to Microsoft To Do.

Can I keep the new Outlook and still use OneNote tasks?

At present, the new Outlook interface lacks full support for the OneNote task flag integration. You must revert to classic Outlook to use this specific ribbon feature.

What should I do if an Office repair doesn't restore the feature?

If an Online Repair fails, you may need to completely uninstall and reinstall Microsoft 365. If the issue persists, capture a screenshot of your OneNote Account page (File > Account) and contact Microsoft Support for further diagnostics.

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