Enter tasks in Outline just like in Rapid task entry?

[Artem Druzhinin]

Hello!

Is it possible to enter tasks in Outline just like in Rapid task entry with automatic parsing?

Also, is it possible to change settings in Outline so that:

- after pressing Enter, it will create new task.

- pressing Tab to create subtask

Kind of like in Microsoft Word.

Thank you!

[Stéph]

Hello Artem. 

I assume you're talking about the Windows version of MLO? If you're inserting a task and you want what to write to be parsed, you just have to remember to press Alt+Enter after typing, instead of just Enter.

Insert new task and insert new subtask are both hotkeys, so you can customise them. However, you can't choose Enter or Tab, as those are reserved for entering new lines in the note pane or confirming data entry in any other parameter pane, and for jumping between parameter fields. If you can teach yourself the hotkey, you could set them to something like Ctrl+Enter and Ctrl+Tab, I suppose. (It didn't take me long to learn to use the Insert key, though).

[Artem Druzhinin]

Hello Steph!

Yes, I'm using MLO for Windows.

1. I know about Alt-Enter after typing, if I want to parse dates, but why not parse them by default by just pressing Enter (how it is done in Todoist, for example)? Of course, sometimes we may want the text no to be parsed, but I think it happens not as often, and Alt + Enter would be more appropriate in this case. Or make an option to choose a custom hotkey. (Just my 2 cents).

2. To me "Enter" seems like the most obvious choice for Next task (New line). It's like this in MS Word or any other word processor, Taskade, Dynalist, etc. Same is with "Tab" to make an indent. It actually goes way back to typewriters. I don't know what percentage of the world's population used and uses those keys when making bulleted on numbered lists in word processors. Even MLO uses Enter for next task in Rapid Task Entry window (that's what makes the entry rapid!). And Space to make a subtask, which is not as customary as Tab, but still makes it much faster.

3. Which key combos would you suggest for "New task", Indent > "New subtask", Outdent > "Make it a parent task again"? Unfortunately, on my keyboard "Ins" is sharing the same key as "Del" and should work when "Function" key is pressed, but for some reason it does not.

Thank you!

[Stéph]

Quick reply: 

1) Maybe we'd need an option to choose whether to make parsing the norm, though - Personally, I struggle with parsing and often find myself having to correct errors in how it's interpreted my entries).

2) One other option, for when you're in quick task entry mode - Have you experimented with writing a list and then copying and "paste text as subtasks" (Either right click and it's in the "advanced" sub-menu, or try Ctrl+Shift+V)? That might be no good for you - I don't think you can parse much - or I guess you may find it helpful.

3) I don't know. I just got used to Ins, but I can see the problem with your keyboard layout. Perhaps something like Ctrl+Enter?

Stéphane 

[Artem Druzhinin]

Hi Steph!

Thank you very much for your suggestions!

My take on task management is that entering tasks should be SUPER fast, no matter where they are entered. That means as few clicks and key presses as possible.

The developers did an (almost) perfect job in Rapid entry window, and it boggles me why they would not do the same in the main program window.