You receive an email asking you to review a contract or update a report. Instead of keeping the email in your inbox as a reminder, you can turn it into a task with a due date and priority. Copilot in Outlook reads the email content and generates a task with a title, description, and suggested deadline. This article explains how to use Copilot to convert any email into a task in under 30 seconds.
Copilot uses the email subject line to create the task title and extracts action items from the body to populate the description. It also suggests a due date based on phrases like “by Friday” or “next week.” You can edit any of these fields before saving the task to Microsoft To Do or Tasks in Exchange Online. The feature works in Outlook for the web and the new Outlook for Windows.
You need a Copilot for Microsoft 365 license and an Exchange Online mailbox. Tasks sync across Outlook, To Do, and the Microsoft 365 mobile apps automatically.
Key Takeaways: Convert Emails to Tasks with Copilot in Outlook
- Copilot pane in Outlook > Summarize > Convert to task: Generates a task with title, description, and due date from the email content.
- Edit task fields before saving: Change the title, description, due date, and priority before the task is created.
- Task syncs to Microsoft To Do and Tasks: The converted task appears in Outlook Tasks, To Do, and the Microsoft 365 mobile apps.
How Copilot Converts an Email to a Task
Copilot uses the email subject line as the default task title. It scans the email body for action items and deadlines. For example, if the email says “Please review the Q3 report by October 15,” Copilot sets the task title to “Review Q3 report” and the due date to October 15. It also copies key sentences into the task description for context.
The conversion feature is part of the Copilot pane in Outlook. You do not need to install any add-in or enable a separate plugin. The feature works on any email in your inbox, sent items, or any folder. It does not modify the original email. After the task is created, the original email remains in its folder.
You must have the new Outlook for Windows or Outlook on the web. The classic Outlook for Windows does not support this feature yet. Mac users can use Outlook on the web to access the same functionality.
Steps to Convert an Email Into a Task Using Copilot
Follow these steps to convert an email into a task in Outlook. The process takes less than one minute.
- Open the email in Outlook
Double-click the email to open it in a separate window or select it in the reading pane. The Copilot pane requires the email to be open or selected. - Open the Copilot pane
Click the Copilot icon in the top-right corner of the Outlook window. The icon looks like a purple diamond. The Copilot pane opens on the right side of the screen. - Click Summarize
In the Copilot pane, click the Summarize button. Copilot generates a brief summary of the email content. The summary appears in the pane. - Click Convert to task
Below the summary, click the Convert to task button. Copilot creates a task with a title, description, and suggested due date. The task preview appears in the Copilot pane. - Edit the task fields if needed
Review the task title, description, and due date. Click any field to edit it. For example, you can change the due date or add a priority level. You can also change the task list where the task will be saved. - Click Create task
Click the Create task button at the bottom of the pane. The task is saved to your default Tasks folder in Outlook. It also appears in Microsoft To Do and the Microsoft 365 mobile apps.
To view the task later, open the Tasks module in Outlook or open Microsoft To Do. The task includes a link back to the original email so you can open it for reference.
Common Mistakes and Limitations to Avoid
Copilot does not detect a due date from the email
If the email does not contain a clear date phrase, Copilot leaves the due date field blank. You must set the due date manually in the task preview before clicking Create task. To avoid this, include a specific date in your email response, such as “by March 10” or “due on April 1.”
The Convert to task button is grayed out
This happens when the email is not fully loaded or when you are using the classic Outlook for Windows. Switch to the new Outlook for Windows or use Outlook on the web. If the button remains grayed out, close and reopen the email, then repeat the steps.
Task does not appear in Microsoft To Do
Tasks created in Outlook sync to Microsoft To Do only if both apps use the same Microsoft 365 account. Check that you are signed in with the same account in Outlook and To Do. Also verify that your Exchange Online mailbox is configured to sync tasks. This setting is enabled by default.
Copilot creates a task with the wrong title
Copilot uses the email subject line as the task title. If the subject line is vague, such as “Quick question,” edit the title in the task preview before saving. You can also reply to the email and change the subject line before converting it to a task.
| Item | Outlook Copilot Convert to Task | Manual Task Creation |
|---|---|---|
| Time required | 30 seconds | 2 to 3 minutes |
| Title generation | Automatic from email subject | Manual typing required |
| Due date extraction | Automatic from date phrases | Manual entry required |
| Description population | Copies key sentences from email body | Manual copy-paste or typing |
| Link to original email | Included automatically | Must be added manually |
| Required license | Copilot for Microsoft 365 | Any Microsoft 365 plan |
Using Copilot to convert an email into a task saves time and reduces the chance of missing action items. The automatic due date extraction and link to the original email help you stay organized. For emails with complex instructions, review the task description before saving to ensure all key points are captured. You can also create tasks from multiple emails in a sequence by repeating the steps for each email. Try the feature on your next action email and edit the priority to High in the task preview for urgent items.