This week’s tip is inspired by a question from Patricia, who asked whether there is a way to add and display a follow-up action to an email.
As always, there are various ways (all of them not ideal, I’d say) and you need to find a system that works for you. But I wonder whether working with custom flags could do the trick. And why not add it as an extra column to make it even more visible?
[[{"fid":"296879","view_mode":"default","fields":{"format":"default","alignment":"","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"follow up roem 1","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"follow up roem 1"},"link_text":false,"type":"media","field_deltas":{"1":{"format":"default","alignment":"","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"follow up roem 1","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"follow up roem 1"}},"attributes":{"alt":"follow up roem 1","title":"follow up roem 1","class":"media-element file-default","data-delta":"1"}}]]
Here’s how:
- Press CTRL + SHIFT + G. (If you don’t like keyboard shortcuts you can first add a flag and then right-click it.)
- Type your reminder text.
[[{"fid":"296880","view_mode":"default","fields":{"format":"default","alignment":"","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"follow up roem 2","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"follow up roem 2"},"link_text":false,"type":"media","field_deltas":{"2":{"format":"default","alignment":"","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"follow up roem 2","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"follow up roem 2"}},"attributes":{"alt":"follow up roem 2","title":"follow up roem 2","class":"media-element file-default","data-delta":"2"}}]]
3. If you want, change the Start and Due date and/or set a Reminder.
4. Press ENTER or click OK.
The text you typed will only be visible in the Reading Pane, so I recommend adding the Follow Up Flag column.
[[{"fid":"296881","view_mode":"default","fields":{"format":"default","alignment":"","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"follow up roem 3","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"follow up roem 3"},"link_text":false,"type":"media","field_deltas":{"3":{"format":"default","alignment":"","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"follow up roem 3","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"follow up roem 3"}},"attributes":{"alt":"follow up roem 3","title":"follow up roem 3","class":"media-element file-default","data-delta":"3"}}]]
The easiest way to add the column is to right-click any of the column headings and select Field Chooser. Next, simply drag Follow Up Flag to your desired spot.
[[{"fid":"296882","view_mode":"default","fields":{"format":"default","alignment":"","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"follow up roem 4","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"follow up roem 4"},"link_text":false,"type":"media","field_deltas":{"4":{"format":"default","alignment":"","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"follow up roem 4","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"follow up roem 4"}},"attributes":{"alt":"follow up roem 4","title":"follow up roem 4","class":"media-element file-default","data-delta":"4"}}]]
Thanks for the tip inspiration, Patricia!
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These tips are written for Microsoft 365 desktop apps and Windows 10 users, but might also be useful in Office 2010, 2013 and 2016. I meticulously test every tip I write to make sure it is correct, easy to understand and time-saving. Let me know if something isn't clear or doesn't work.
10 January 2022
Karen Roem offers software training and support through her company Roem Ltd. Contact her by email (Karen@roem.co.uk) or visit her website at www.roem.co.uk