Outlook 2007 To-Do Bar will not show Due Dates unless maximised

[AllanM]

Is this a bug? In Outlook 2007 (SP1), I use the To-Do Bar "Task List"
extensively. A great tool, but this version will not show Due Dates unless
the To-Do Bar is dragged to it's full width (i.e. half the screen). This is
regardless of the number of columns required, e.g. even if I choose only 2
(Task Subject, Due Date), the column instantly disappears the moment I reduce
the To-Do Bar width from maximum.
I've tried everything I can think of, including fixing indivual column
widths (it worked perfectly in the previous version).
Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[Polaris]

Allan,

Right click the Arrange By header in the To-Do Bar and select Custom. In the
Customize View window, click the Fields button. By changing the number of
lines in compact mode, selecting your fields and list order you should be
able to view due dates in the To-Do Bar.

 

[Polaris]

Forgot to mention. If you hover your mouse over the task item in the T0-D0
Bar it will show the various field information for several seconds.

 

[AllanM]

Hi Polaris. Many thanks for both your answers. This is a huge improvement,
though I'm still hoping there is a way to get back to a single line (as in
previous versions), so in answering "No" below, please don't be offended - I
am much happier than I was (your suggestion is a big help along the way)!

 

[AllanM]

Polaris: You have given me the breakthrough I needed - thank you!
This solution does not actually require that I use 2 lines, it works
perfectly as follows - but I have spent nearly a year trying to find what you
kindly led me to in minutes...
Right click the Task Subject header in the To-Do Bar and select Customize
Current View.
In the Customize View window, click the "Other Settings" button.
Untick the box for "Use Compact Layout in widths smaller than ... characters."
Click on "Always use single line layout", then OK, OK.
You should now be able to view Due Dates in the To-Do Bar (you might need to
drag the columns around to get the widths you want).
Finally, go to the Customize View window (again), click on "Format Columns",
then on Due Date, and select a date format you like (short ones like "Sun
1/03" will generally be best here).
Thanks again - Tasks are perhaps one of the most under-appreciated strengths
of Outlook, yet are a huge help in managing my life.