Want to know which list is open in MS To Do just by a short glance? Looking to use one color for groceries and one for philosophical books yet to be read? Find out here how to set color theme and background image per list in Microsoft To Do.
First, Little Split Rocks
If you see a pebble on the ground in Namibia’s dry heat, say, or somewhere in South Africa, a pebble just like the others in appearance but seemingly split in two, you may be looking at a plant. A lithops above ground consists mostly of two small leaves connected at the seam designed wholly to avoid the loss of water, and looking just like a pebble in a feat of mimicry.
Speaking of which—want to add some finely grained pebbles in the form of sand to a list in MS To Do, or another kind of mimicry?
How to Set Theme and Background per List in Microsoft To Do
Time needed: 2 minutes
To change the background or color theme for a list in Microsoft To Do:
- Go to the list whose background color or image and text color you want to change.
Here’s how: Select the list in list overview.
No list of lists: If you do not see the list of lists, click the hamburger menu button (☰) close to the current list’s title.
MS To Do for Mac: In Microsoft To Do for macOS, make the main window wide enough to show the sidebar. - Select the three dots menu icon (⋯) for the list.
- Choose the desired color scheme or background image under Theme.
No theme list: If you do not see the list of themes initially, click or tap Change Theme or Change theme.
Color or photo: When MS To Do does not show a unified list of color schemes and background images, choose between Color and Photo.
Outline and background: If a color theme shows an outline, that outline represents the text color while the fill color is the list background.
Your image: In some apps, you can choose a custom background image; see below.
- Select Done.
No “Done”: When the current instance of MS To Do does not offer Done as a choice, the setting is applied automatically.
Visual, not audible is the motto: How to Turn Off the Completion Sound in Microsoft To Do
Pick a Custom Background Image in MS To Do for iOS
To pick a custom background for a list in Microsoft To Do for iOS:
- Open theme settings in Microsoft To Do for iOS.
- Select Custom.
- Tap +.
Previous image: You can also choose a previously used image from the list, of course. - Find and select the desired image in Photos.
- Tap Done.
More customization: How to Use Emoji in Microsoft To Do List Titles
How to Set Theme and Background per List in Microsoft To Do: FAQ
Can I change the default theme?
No.
You can always only change the color scheme or background for a particular list in Microsoft To Do.
Can I set the theme for more than one list at a time?
No.
Change the theme for each list individually.
What will show if an image or theme is not supported on a device?
Microsoft To Do will substitute defaults for anything that cannot be shown for the current instance of To Do:
- A previously chosen preset image will stand in for custom image background.
- The default background color will replace a scheme background.
- The default text color will replace custom colors.
(How to set theme and background per list tested with Microsoft To Do 2.125; first published August 2024)