After switching from Classic Outlook to the new Outlook for Windows, you may notice that the familiar To-Do Bar is no longer visible on the right side of the screen. In Classic Outlook, the To-Do Bar displayed your calendar, upcoming appointments, and task list in a single pane. The new Outlook replaces this feature with a panel called My Day, which offers a focused view of your day and tasks. This article explains where My Day is located, how to open it, and how to configure it to show your tasks and calendar events.
Key Takeaways: Using My Day and To Do Bar in New Outlook
- View > My Day: Opens the My Day panel from the ribbon to replace the Classic To-Do Bar.
- Ctrl + 2: Keyboard shortcut to open My Day quickly without using the ribbon.
- My Day settings gear icon: Customize which calendars and task lists appear in the panel.
What My Day Replaces in New Outlook
Classic Outlook included a To-Do Bar that was docked to the right edge of the main window. It showed a mini calendar, your next few appointments, and your task list from the Tasks folder. The new Outlook for Windows does not include this exact feature. Instead, it uses My Day, a slide-out panel that displays your calendar events and tasks from Microsoft To Do.
My Day is not docked permanently. It opens as an overlay on the right side of the screen and can be resized or closed with a single click. The panel shows the current day by default, but you can view the full week or month. Tasks shown in My Day come from Microsoft To Do, not from the Classic Outlook Tasks folder. If you used tasks in Classic Outlook, they will be migrated to Microsoft To Do when you switch to the new Outlook.
The My Day panel requires an active internet connection to sync tasks and calendar events. It works with any Microsoft 365 or Outlook.com account. If you use an on-premises Exchange account, some task features may not sync to My Day.
Steps to Open and Configure My Day
- Open My Day from the Ribbon
In the new Outlook, click the View tab on the ribbon. In the Layout group, click My Day. The panel opens on the right side of the main window. To close it, click My Day again or click the X in the top-right corner of the panel. - Use the Keyboard Shortcut
Press Ctrl + 2 to toggle the My Day panel open or closed. This shortcut works from any folder in the new Outlook, including Mail, Calendar, and People. - Resize the My Day Panel
Hover your mouse over the left edge of the My Day panel until the cursor changes to a double-headed arrow. Click and drag left or right to adjust the panel width. The new width is saved for the next time you open My Day. - Choose What My Day Shows
At the top of the My Day panel, click the gear icon (Settings). A dropdown menu opens. Under Calendars, check the calendars you want to display. Under Tasks, select which Microsoft To Do lists to show. You can choose My Day (a special list in Microsoft To Do) or any custom list you created. - Switch the View from Day to Week or Month
Inside the My Day panel, click the date range at the top. A dropdown menu lets you switch between Day, Work Week, Week, and Month. The panel updates to show the selected period. - Add a Task Directly from My Day
At the bottom of the task section, click Add a task. Type the task name and press Enter. The task is saved to the Microsoft To Do list you selected in step 4. To set a due date or reminder, click the task in the panel to open it in Microsoft To Do.
Common Questions About My Day and To Do Bar
Can I dock My Day like the Classic To-Do Bar?
No. My Day is a slide-out panel, not a docked pane. It does not stay pinned to the window when you switch folders. You must open it again after closing it. If you need a persistent task view, keep My Day open in a separate window by right-clicking the My Day button on the ribbon and selecting Open in new window.
Why are my Classic Outlook tasks missing from My Day?
Classic Outlook stores tasks in a local Exchange or PST file. The new Outlook uses Microsoft To Do as the task engine. When you switch from Classic to new Outlook, tasks are migrated automatically if your account is a Microsoft 365 or Outlook.com account. If migration fails, open Microsoft To Do from the app launcher in Outlook and sign in with the same account. Your tasks should appear after a sync.
How do I see the mini calendar that was in the Classic To-Do Bar?
The new Outlook does not include a mini calendar in My Day. To view a calendar month overview, open the Calendar module by clicking the Calendar icon in the navigation pane. You can also press Ctrl + 2 to open My Day and then switch the view to Month as described in step 5.
Can I show multiple task lists in My Day?
Yes. In the My Day settings gear icon, check multiple Microsoft To Do lists. Each list appears as a separate section in the task area of My Day. You can collapse or expand each section by clicking the list name.
| Item | Classic Outlook To-Do Bar | New Outlook My Day |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Docked to the right side of the window | Slide-out panel, not docked |
| Task source | Outlook Tasks folder (PST or Exchange) | Microsoft To Do lists |
| Calendar display | Mini calendar with upcoming appointments | Day, work week, week, or month view |
| Keyboard shortcut | Alt + Ctrl + 1 (toggle To-Do Bar) | Ctrl + 2 (toggle My Day) |
| Persistence | Always visible when enabled | Closes when you switch folders or close Outlook |
| Resizing | Drag the border between To-Do Bar and message list | Drag the left edge of the panel |
After switching to the new Outlook, you can use My Day to view your daily schedule and manage tasks from Microsoft To Do. The panel opens with Ctrl + 2 and can be configured to show specific calendars and task lists. If you prefer a persistent task view, open My Day in a separate window. For users who relied on the Classic To-Do Bar mini calendar, the My Day month view provides a similar overview. To get the most out of My Day, create a dedicated Microsoft To Do list called My Day and add tasks directly from the panel using the Add a task field.