10:26PM
The OmniFocus "Switch" Button
I've received several e-mails and comments concerning my discussion of the "Switch" button in OmniFocus during the task management episode of the Mac Power Users.
This button is among those available in the "Customize Toolbar" menu.
Simply drag it on your toolbar and you are set. Here is my OmniFocus toolbar.
The "Switch" button becomes useful when working through your list. I work most of the day in the context view. So, if I'm working through the phone context and perform a task like, "Call Rumpole regarding trial" and decide I need to add a task to that project after the call, I do not need to go digging through the project list for it. I simply press "Switch." Then, using some strange dark magic, OmniFocus drops me right into that specific project for me to fiddle with to my heart's content. When done, I simply press the "Context" button again and get back on my merry way.
Reader Comments (10)
I thought the "switch" button switched the user to Things.
@ Landya :P
Brilliant! I was not aware of this until you mentioned it in the podcast.
I was in my car at the time, and made a mental note to look into it, which I forgot within a few seconds. Thanks for reading my fleeting thoughts and posting this.
@landya very witty comment. But great tip, this has already saved some keystrokes and mouse clicks. Thanks!
Oooh. Adding that to my toolbar now. Good post!
What a useful button! It's a wonder Omni never thought to include it in the default toolbar.
Thanks for this tip. I wasn't aware of this button, looks useful.
Although, I must admit, since most of the time I'm working with two monitors (my MBP with large external monitor), I found that keeping two OF windows open, one in Project mode and one in Context mode works better for me.
This would be very helpful if I could do perform this "switch" action from the keyboard.
I've always used Command-1 and Command-2 to toggle between the Planning & Context modes. This Switch button addresses the main problem I have with my approach, namely the brief disorientation of switching modes and having to hunt down what I'm after in the opposite mode. Most of the time I'm switching then looking for the same task in the opposite view so this Switch button, which follows the task between the views, is most helpful. However, it introduces my new problem; Now I have to reach for a mouse, drag a mouse to the top of the screen and click on a menu bar button.
Does anyone know how to assign a shortcut to this very helpful Switch button's function?
I actually don't use the "switch" button. I very much prefer the shortcut, which is option-command-R. It enables me to toggle between the action in its context and the related task. Bliss!
I double-click the bullet of the task in question, and I get a new window focused on its project.