Outlook Task Default Start Date: How It Works

In Microsoft Outlook, a new task’s default start date is the current date (today) when you create it without specifying a different date. If you create a task by typing in the To-Do Bar or using the New Task button, Outlook automatically sets the start date to today, and the due date is left blank until you fill it in.

Formula

The calculator above shows how Outlook stores dates internally. In Outlook’s underlying data model, a date is stored as a serial number: the number of days since January 1, 1900 (with day 1 being January 1, 1900). The formula for the start date is:

Start Date Serial = 25569 + d

where d is the number of days from today (0 for today, negative for past, positive for future). The due date serial is simply the start date serial plus the task duration in days:

Due Date Serial = Start Date Serial + t

Here, t is the duration in days (default 3). The constant 25569 is the serial number for January 1, 1970, which is the epoch used in many date systems. This calculator helps you visualize how Outlook’s date arithmetic works when you set a start date and a duration.

Worked Example

Using the default values from the calculator: duration = 3 days, start date offset = 0 (today).

1. Start date serial = 25569 + 0 = 25569 (which is January 1, 1970, but in Outlook’s system, this is the base).
2. Due date serial = 25569 + 3 = 25572.
3. So if today is January 1, 1970, the task starts that day and is due January 4, 1970.

In real usage, you don’t see serial numbers—you see dates. But the logic is the same: the start date is set to today by default, and the due date is start date plus duration.

How Outlook Determines the Default Start Date

When you create a new task in Outlook (desktop, web, or mobile), the start date field is pre-filled with the current date. This happens because Outlook assumes you want to begin working on the task immediately. If you create a task from an email (by dragging it to the Tasks icon), the start date is also set to today, and the due date is often left empty. In some views, like the To-Do Bar, a task created by typing a quick note will have today’s date as the start date, but the due date remains blank until you set it.

If you use the “Quick Add” feature in Microsoft To Do (which syncs with Outlook Tasks), the same rule applies: the start date is today, and you can change it later. The default is always the current date, not the date you plan to start working on it.

How to Change the Default Start Date

Outlook does not have a built-in setting to change the default start date for all new tasks. The default is hard-coded to today. However, you can work around this by:

• Creating a task template with a future start date and saving it as a file, then using that template for new tasks.
• Using a rule or a script (like a VBA macro) that automatically sets the start date to a specific value when a task is created.
• Manually changing the start date each time you create a task—this is what most users do.

If you want to set a default start date of “tomorrow” or “next Monday,” you would need to create a custom form or use a third-party add-in. For most users, the easiest method is to simply edit the start date field after creating the task.

Common Problems with Task Dates

One common issue is that tasks with a start date in the future do not appear in the “Today” view or the To-Do Bar until that date arrives. This can confuse users who expect to see all their tasks. Another issue is that when you mark a task complete, the start date remains as originally set, which can affect reports. Also, if you change the start date to a date after the due date, Outlook will warn you but still allow it, which can mess up your schedule.

Another problem is time zones. If you travel, the start date might shift because Outlook uses your local time zone. For example, a task created at 11 PM in New York will show a start date of the next day if you view it from Los Angeles. This is because the date is based on the local time zone.

Comparing Outlook Tasks with Other Apps

Other to-do apps handle default start dates differently. For example, Google Tasks does not have a start date field at all—only a due date. Apple Reminders has a “date” field that is optional and defaults to none. TickTick and Todoist allow you to set a default start time for tasks, but the start date is usually today unless you specify otherwise. Outlook’s approach is consistent with many desktop task managers: the start date is today, and you adjust as needed.

If you are used to a tool that defaults to no start date, Outlook might feel pushy. But the logic is that a task without a start date is assumed to be actionable immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my task’s start date not today?

If you imported tasks from another source, or if you created the task via a recurring pattern, the start date might be different. Also, if you have a rule that modifies tasks, it could change the start date. Check the task’s details to see if the start date was manually set.

Can I make the default start date be tomorrow?

No, Outlook does not provide a setting for that. You would need to use a custom script or manually change it each time. Some third-party add-ins offer this feature, but they are not part of Outlook’s standard options.

Does the start date affect the due date automatically?

No. Setting a start date does not change the due date. They are independent fields. If you want the due date to be a certain number of days after the start date, you have to set it manually or use a formula in a custom field.

Why don’t future tasks show up in my To-Do Bar?

The To-Do Bar only shows tasks that are due today or overdue, and tasks with a start date today or earlier. If you set a start date in the future, the task will not appear until that date arrives. You can change the view to “All Tasks” to see them.

Can I change the start date to a date in the past?

Yes, you can type any date you want. Outlook will accept a past date, which is useful for logging tasks you completed earlier. Just be aware that this may affect your task completion reports.

Does the default start date apply to tasks created from emails?

Yes, when you create a task from an email by dragging it to the Tasks folder, the start date is set to today. The due date is left blank. You can edit both fields after creation.

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in t | Duration | days | 3 | 1
in d | Start date offset from today | days | 0 | -3650
out start_date | Start date (days from Jan 1, 1900) | days | 25569 + d | 0
out due_date | Due date (days from Jan 1, 1900) | days | 25569 + d + t | 0