Notes in Google Keep & to-dos in Google Tasks

Updated 26 September 2026For Google Workspace

Notes in Keep & to-dos in Tasks (0:47)

Google Keep is for quick notes and checklists. Google Tasks is for to-dos with due dates. Both are built into Gmail, Calendar, Drive and Docs, so you do not need to switch tabs.

Take a note in Google Keep

Notes are saved as you type and appear on all your devices.

Go to keep.google.com.
Click Take a note at the top.
Type a title and your note.
Click Done.

To make a checklist instead, click New list at the top, add your items and click Close. Tick items off as you finish them.

New list icon in the Take a note box

Keep notes can remind you at a set time or be shared with colleagues.

Remind me bell and Collaborator icon at the bottom of a note

Remind me: click the bell at the bottom of a note, pick a date and time, then click Save. The reminder also shows in Google Tasks and Calendar.
Collaborator: click the person icon at the bottom of a note, type a colleague’s name or email address, choose them and click Done, then Save. They can edit the note too.

To keep notes tidy, use labels and colours, pin important notes to the top, and archive notes you no longer need.

Add a to-do in Google Tasks

Tasks with a date appear in Google Calendar, so you see them next to your meetings.

Open Google Calendar.
Click Create at the top left, then Task.
Type a title, and set a date, time or deadline if you need one.
Click Save.

To see all your tasks, click the Tasks icon in the side panel on the right. To mark a task as done, click the circle (Complete) next to it.

Tasks side panel with the Complete circle next to a task

Use Keep & Tasks from the side panel

The side panel on the right of Gmail, Calendar, Chat, Drive, Docs, Sheets and Slides opens Keep and Tasks next to your work.

Look for the icons on the right edge of the screen. If you cannot see them, click Show side panel at the bottom right.
Click Keep to take a note, or Tasks to add a to-do.
In Tasks, click Add a task and type it.
Click Close to hide the panel.

Turn emails & chat messages into tasks

Turning a message into a task keeps a link back to it, so you can find the details later.

Gmail: open the email and click Add to Tasks at the top. If you do not see it, click the three dots (More) first. You can also drag an email into the Tasks side panel.
Google Chat: in a direct message, point to a message, click the three dots (More actions), then Add to Tasks.
Chat spaces: in a space, point to a message, click the three dots (More actions), then Create space task. You can also open the Tasks tab in a space to create a task and assign it to a member. See Google Chat spaces.
Google Docs: type @task in a document to assign a task to yourself or a colleague. This depends on your plan. See our plans.

In Google Docs or Slides, you can also select text, right-click and choose Save to Keep.

Right-click menu in Google Docs with Save to Keep highlighted

Still stuck

WhatsApp our support team at +60 16-916 3324.

Common issues

Should I use Keep or Tasks?

Use Keep for notes, ideas, checklists and anything you want to share with a colleague. Use Tasks for to-dos with a due date, because dated tasks show on your Google Calendar and remind you.

I cannot see Keep or Tasks. Why?

Your admin controls access to Keep and Tasks for work accounts. If they are missing from the side panel and the app list, ask your Google Workspace admin to turn them on for you.

If I delete a shared Keep note, does it disappear for everyone?

Yes, if you are the owner. Deleting a shared note you own deletes it for everyone you shared it with.

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