> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.fabricplan.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.fabricplan.com/powertable-sheets/how-tos/layout-views-summary/resource/add-and-manage-tasks.md).
# Add and manage tasks
Use the resource layout to manage tasks throughout their lifecycle. You can add [new](#add-a-task) tasks, [update](#edit-a-task) task details, [view](#view-task-effort-and-history) task information, and [delete](#delete-a-task) tasks when they are no longer required.
### Add a task
Use tasks to plan, assign, and track work for resources in the Resource layout. Depending on your scheduling requirements, you can create a [standard task](#create-a-standard-task), a [milestone](#create-a-milestone), or a [backlog task](#create-a-backlog-task). Each task type serves a different purpose and is displayed differently in the timeline.
#### Create a standard task
A standard task is a scheduled work item that has a defined start date and end date. Standard tasks are displayed on the timeline based on their duration and can be assigned to a resource for planning and tracking purposes.
To add a standard task:
1. In the **PowerTable** tab, select **Add Task**. Alternatively, expand **Add Task** and select **Add Task**.
\
The **Record Details** side panel opens with the **Form Editor**.
2. Enter the task details. Fill in all mandatory fields.
3. Select the resource to which the task should be assigned.
4. Specify the **Start Date** and **End Date**.
5. Select **Apply**.
The new task is added under the selected resource and appears on the timeline based on its start and end dates.
6. Select **Save to Database** to save the changes to the destination database.
{% hint style="info" %}
#### Note
* If you add a task without assigning a resource, the task appears under **(NULL)**.
* If you add a task without specifying a **Start Date**, the task is considered a [**Milestone**](#create-a-milestone) and is added as a milestone in the resource layout.
* If you add a task without specifying the **Start Date** and **End Date**, the task is moved under [**Backlog Task**](#add-a-backlog-task).
{% endhint %}
#### Create a milestone
Milestones represent important events, deadlines, or completion points in a project schedule.
To create a milestone:
1. In the **PowerTable** tab, expand **Add Task** and select **Insert Milestone**. The **Record Details** side panel opens with the **Form Editor**.
2. Enter the required task details and fill in all mandatory fields, including the **Resource** field.
3. Select **Apply**.
The configured milestone is displayed on the timeline. Select **Save to Database** to save the milestone to the database.
{% hint style="info" %}
#### Note
The **Start Date** field is disabled when you create a milestone because a milestone is represented by a single date rather than a task duration.
{% endhint %}
#### Create a backlog task
A backlog task is a task that is created without a specific **Start Date** or **End Date**. It is not scheduled within a particular time period in the resource layout, allowing you to keep tasks that are yet to be planned or scheduled separately. You can assign a backlog task to a time period later by specifying its start and end dates.
To create a backlog task:
1. Select **Backlog Task** and the **Backlog Task** panel opens.
2. Select **Add Task**. The **Record Details** panel opens.
3. Enter the required task information in the **Form Editor**.
4. Leave **Start Date** and **End Date** empty to create the task as a backlog task.
5. Select **Apply**.
The task is added as a backlog task without a scheduled time period. Select **Save to Database** to save the backlog task to the database. You can delete or edit the task at any time to assign it to a specific time period by selecting the **Edit** icon.
{% hint style="warning" %}
#### Note
If you specify **Start Date** and **End Date** when configuring a backlog task, the task is added as a standard task instead of a **Backlog Task**.
{% endhint %}
### Edit a task
Edit tasks to update scheduling information, resource assignments, or other task details. You can modify tasks [using the **Form Editor**](#using-the-form-editor) or [adjust task dates](#using-drag-handles) directly from the timeline. After making the required changes, select **Save to Database** to save the updates to the destination database.
#### Using the Form Editor
Use the Form Editor to update task properties such as resource assignments, dates, and other available fields.
To edit a task using form interface:
1. Select the required task bar. The **Record Details** side panel opens with the **Form Editor**.
2. Edit the task details as required.
3. Update the **Resource**, **Start Date**, **End Date**, and other available fields based on your requirements.
4. Select **Apply**.
The resource layout updates to reflect the changes made to the task.
#### Using drag handles
Use drag handles to quickly adjust task start and end dates directly from the timeline without opening the Form Editor.
To adjust the task timeline:
1. Hover over the task bar. Drag handles appear at both ends of the task bar.
2. Drag the handles to adjust the **Start Date** or **End Date**.
3. Release the drag handle to apply the changes.
The resource layout updates the task timeline based on the new start and end dates. You can use this option to adjust task durations or resolve overlapping tasks assigned to a resource.
### Move a task to another resource
You can reassign a task from one resource to another or assign a task from **(NULL)** to a resource to manage resource allocation.
To move a task to another resource:
1. Drag the task that you want to reassign.
2. Drop the task under the required resource.
3. Select **Save to Database** to save the changes to the database.
The task is displayed under the newly assigned resource. PowerTable automatically updates the **Start Date**, **End Date**, and **Assignee** fields for the task based on the new assignment.
### Delete a task
You can delete tasks that are no longer required.
To delete a task:
1. Select the task that you want to delete.
2. Select the **Delete icon** on the toolbar. Alternatively, right-click the required task and select **Delete**.
3. Confirm the deletion.
4. Select **Save to Database** to save the changes.
The task is removed from the assigned resource.
### View task effort and history
The **Record Details** side panel provides additional information about a selected task through the [**Effort**](#view-effort-information) and [**History**](#view-task-history) tabs. Use these tabs to review estimated effort allocation and track changes made to task records.
#### View effort information
The **Effort** tab displays estimated effort details for the selected task and shows how the effort is distributed across the task duration.
To view effort information:
1. Select a task in the resource layout.
2. In the **Record Details** side panel, select the **Effort** tab.
The Effort tab displays:
* **Duration** - The total duration of the task.
* **Total Effort** - The estimated effort assigned to the task in hours.
The effort allocation summary displays the calculated effort allocated per day based on the task duration and total effort.
When the **Total Effort** value is updated, the allocation summary is recalculated to display the average effort allocated per day across the task duration.
For example:
* Duration: 3 days
* Total Effort: 40 hours
* Allocation summary: 13.3 hours per day over 3 days
{% hint style="info" %}
#### Note
* The **Effort** tab displays effort allocation based on the configured **Estimated Effort** field and the task duration.
* The **Effort** tab appears in the **Record Details** panel only when you select a column for **Estimated Effort** in the [**Layout Configuration**](/powertable-sheets/how-tos/layout-views-summary/resource/overview.md#configuration-properties). If you don't select an **Estimated Effort** column, the **Effort** tab isn't displayed.
{% endhint %}
#### View task history
The **History** tab displays an audit trail of changes made to the selected task.
To view task history:
1. Select a task in the resource layout.
2. In the **Record Details** side panel, select the **History** tab.
The History tab displays:
* Modified field name.
* Previous value and updated value.
* User who made the change.
* Date and time of the modification.
Use the History tab to review task updates and track changes throughout the task lifecycle.
You can also:
* Use **Search** to locate specific history entries.
* Use **Filter** to display specific types of changes.
* Use **Export** to export available history records.
* Use **Audit logs** to track and review changes made to the task. For more information, see [Audit logs](/powertable-sheets/how-tos/audit-log.md).
---
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