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Why You Cannot Change an Entire List's Color in Microsoft To Do

Khadija Khan Oct 1, 2026 868 views

Question details

Users are looking for a way to change the color of an entire task list in Microsoft To Do but are unable to find the option in the list menu.

Why You Cannot Change an Entire List's Color in Microsoft To Do

Product: Microsoft To Do
Device & OS: Windows, Web
Scenario: Customizing the appearance of task lists for better visual organization and categorization.
Observed behavior: The list menu only includes options such as Rename list, Print list, and Delete list, with no available feature to change the color of the entire list.

Before you start

Ensure you have an active internet connection to access the latest features in Microsoft To Do for the web or sync your Windows app.

Solution 1Recommended

Use Category Colors for Individual Tasks

Since changing the entire list color is not supported, you can assign category colors to individual tasks to visually organize your items.

Microsoft To Do currently restricts color customization to individual tasks rather than entire lists. By assigning a category color to all tasks within a specific list, you can achieve a similar visual grouping effect.

Select a Task

Open Microsoft To Do, navigate to your desired list, and click on a task to open the details pane on the right side.

Pick a Category

In the task details pane, click on the 'Pick a category' option (represented by a tag icon).

Assign a Color

Choose a color from the dropdown menu to apply it to the task. Repeat this for other tasks in the list to maintain a consistent color theme.

Use Category Colors for Individual Tasks

Visual Limitation: This workaround colors the task tags but will not change the color of the list icon or the list title in the sidebar.

Solution 2

Submit a Feature Request to Microsoft

Provide feedback directly to the developers to request the addition of the list-color feature in future updates.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Create Fully Customizable Colored Task Lists with WPS Office

If Microsoft To Do's customization limits are holding you back, try using WPS Office Spreadsheets to build highly customizable task trackers. WPS Office is a free, lightweight alternative that allows you to color-code entire sheets, cells, and rows exactly how you want.

1. Download and Install: Visit the official WPS website to download the free WPS Office suite and install it on your device.
2. Access Templates: Open WPS Office, go to the Templates library, and search for 'To Do List' or 'Task Tracker'.
3. Customize Colors: Open a spreadsheet template and freely change the tab colors, cell backgrounds, and text colors to organize your workflow.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint formatsCreate 100% customizable, color-coded to-do lists without restrictionsLightweight and fast performance on Windows, Mac, and mobile devicesFamiliar user interface for seamless migration from Microsoft Office

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change the background theme of a Microsoft To Do list?

Yes. While you cannot change the list's icon or title color, you can change the background theme. Open your list, click the three horizontal dots (More options) in the upper right corner, and select 'Change theme' to pick a new background color or image.

Will Microsoft add the ability to color-code entire lists in the future?

Microsoft frequently updates To Do based on community feedback. Although the feature is currently unavailable, submitting a request or upvoting existing requests on the Microsoft To Do Feedback Portal is the best way to encourage its development.

Can I rename or customize the categories in Microsoft To Do?

Yes, you can rename categories to better fit your workflow. In the task details pane where you assign a category color, you can also edit the category names (e.g., changing 'Red category' to 'Urgent').

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