A colour-coded task list, free.
Add your tasks and due dates. Pick a status and the colours update automatically, and anything overdue, due today or due soon is flagged for you.
✓ 100% free ✓ Instant download ✓ Excel for Windows & Mac
| Task | Priority | Due Date | Status | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reply to landlord email | High | 28 Sep 2026 | In Progress | Overdue |
| Book car service | Medium | 29 Sep 2026 | Not Started | Due today |
| Pay phone bill | High | 01 Oct 2026 | Not Started | Due soon |
| Plan weekly meals | Low | 05 Oct 2026 | Not Started | On track |
| Return library books | Low | 26 Sep 2026 | Done | Done |
Simple, and it warns you in time
Colour-coded status
Not Started, In Progress or Done: pick one and the cell changes colour straight away.
Deadline warnings
Overdue tasks turn red, and anything due today or in the next 3 days is flagged.
Done means done
Finished tasks fade out, so what’s left to do stands out.
Yours in under a minute
Click “Download it free”
You’ll go to a secure download page. There’s nothing to pay.
Enter your email
The download link is sent straight to your inbox, and you can download it straight away too.
Open it in Excel
Type your tasks and due dates, and pick a status. That’s it.
Free version or full version
The free list is great for keeping on top of things. The full Task & Deadline Tracker adds the dashboard, the row highlight and much more.
| Free | Full version · $12.99 | |
|---|---|---|
| Colour-coded status & priority | ✓ | ✓ |
| Overdue, due today & due soon warnings | ✓ | ✓ |
| Number of tasks | 50 | 500 |
| Highlight the row you’re on (F9) | – | ✓ |
| Live dashboard with charts | – | ✓ |
| Next 10 deadlines list | – | ✓ |
| Categories, owners & progress bars | – | ✓ |
| Waiting & Cancelled statuses | – | ✓ |
| Choose your own “due soon” window | – | ✓ |
Hi, I’m Lee
I run Sheet Leveller on YouTube, where I make quick, no-nonsense Excel tutorials. My colour-coded drop-down list video is one of my most popular, and this free task list puts that idea into a ready-made spreadsheet you can use today.
Questions
Is it really free?
Yes. You just enter your email address so the download link can be sent to you.
Will you email me?
Now and then, with new Excel templates and tips. You can unsubscribe at any time with one click.
Does it use macros?
No. It’s a normal .xlsx file, so there’s nothing to enable and no security warnings.
Which versions of Excel does it work with?
Microsoft 365, Excel 2010 or later on Windows, and Excel for Mac.
Get on top of your to-do list.
Download the free Colour-Coded Task List and let Excel keep an eye on your deadlines.
Download it freeWant the dashboard and row highlight? See the full Task & Deadline Tracker.