How to Create a Text-Based To-do List with TaskBadges
How to Create a Text-Based To-do List with TaskBadges
Fussing around with fancy task apps can take more time out of your day than actually getting through your to-do list. Why not simplify the process by getting an app that turns TextEdit into the ultimate to-do list, without taking up precious time to set it up? TaskBadges will let you designate a TextEdit file as your to-do list for the day and include automatic badges that pop up and ask you if you're completed your task yet. It's like having your own personal time management coach, but without paying gobs of money, because this app is free. Everyone loves free things.
Continue reading to learn how to create a simple and effective to-do list within TextEdit.
What You’ll Need
>> TaskBadges for Mac (Free in the Mac App Store)
1. Setting up the Text File
To set up your to-do list, open TextEdit and create a new file under File > New. Make sure that it's in plain text format by going to Format > Make Plain Text. The font should look like the screenshot below.
Begin typing your to-do list so that it looks like the example above. You can also copy and paste the following format into your plain text document:
Today:
- [ ] My first todo item
- [x] My second todo item
Due next week:
- [ ] My next week item
Save your document in an easy-to-find location on your Mac.
2. Enabling TaskBadges
Launch TaskBadges and flip the switch from OFF to ON. Then, drag and drop the to-do list text file into the Finder (or Desktop) to the table in the application, like the screenshot above.
You will be asked to select a style. If you chose the style that we mentioned above, you’ll select “Style B.â€
After doing that, you'll see a number badge on the icon with the number of uncompleted tasks. The top of the TextEdit window (the title bar) will also display the number of uncompleted tasks, allowing you to see this information from the window itself.
Something to note: The badge with the number of tasks is updated when you save your task list. However, the badge may not update immediately after saving. Saving the file a second time will cause the count to update instantly. You may get a warning that the document was “Modified by another application,†but don’t worry, that’s just the TaskBadges app updating the document icon. Just save the file anyway to get around this error message.
Cory Bohon is a freelance technology writer, indie Mac and iOS developer, and amateur photographer. Follow this article's author, Cory Bohon on Twitter.
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