How to import and export in Google Tasks

Task managers are essential tools for many of us, but it's all too easy to feel locked into one particular system, even if there are one or more features that we don't like or wish we could use. Google Tasks Porter is a free Web app that makes it easy to import and export your tasks data between a small number of services, which should make it much easier for most users to switch. Here's how to use it: 

1. Point your browser to Google Tasks Porter. 
2. The first time you use it, you need to give it permission to access your Google account, which takes several clicks. (If you use multiple Google accounts with multiple Tasks lists, you will have to approve each one individually.) 
3. To start exporting, you'll need to take a snapshot. Click the big button on the left and you should shortly see a list of snapshots, which at this point should contain just one. 

4. You can export to HTML, iCal, Outlook, and Remember the Milk formats by clicking the appropriate link beneath the snapshot info. 

5. Each task manager has its own import tool, but all you need to do is point it to the file you just created. It may take some time, especially if you've got a long list, but it should work out well. 
6. To start importing items into Google Tasks, just click the big Import Tasks button on the main screen. 
7. From the import screen, you'll need to create a name for the new list, and choose a file to import from either Outlook or iCal. Of course, you will need to use the export tool for either of those programs to create the file Google Tasks Porter will use. Once you start, it should just take a short time for your new Google Tasks list to be created. 

8. That's it! This is a pretty simple, straightforward tool that should make life easier for you if you want to give a new task manager a whirl without having to manually recreate your to-do list. 

Thanks to Guiding Tech for the tip!