Managing Board Columns

Columns represent the stages in your workflow. Each task will move through these columns as it progresses from start to completion. Setting up the right columns is key to an effective task management process.

Adding a New Column

1. Open the board where you want to add a column
2. Locate the "Add Column" button on the right side of your existing columns

• It appears as a large ghost button with a plus icon and "Add Column" text

3. Click this button
4. A new column will be created with the default name "New Column"
5. You can immediately edit the name (see next section)

Renaming a Column

1. Click on the column name you want to change
2. The text will become editable
3. Type your new column name
4. Press Enter or click outside the text field to save the change

Tip: Choose clear, action-oriented names for your columns like "To Do," "In Progress," "Waiting for Review," and "Completed."

Reordering Columns

To change the order of columns on your board:

1. Click and hold on the drag handle (six dots) at the top left of any column
2. Drag the column to its new position
3. Release to drop the column in place

The order of columns typically represents the progression of work from left to right (e.g., from "To Do" on the left to "Completed" on the right).

Deleting a Column

Caution: Deleting a column will also delete all tasks within that column. This action cannot be undone.

To delete a column:

1. Click the three dots (⋮) menu at the top right of the column
2. Select "Delete Column"
3. Confirm the deletion when prompted

Recommended Column Setups

Here are some common column setups for different use cases:

Basic Workflow

• To Do
• In Progress
• Done

Adoption Process

• New Applications
• Background Check
• Home Visit
• Final Approval
• Adopted

Medical Treatment

• Needs Assessment
• Scheduled
• In Treatment
• Recovery
• Cleared

Event Planning

• Planning
• Preparation
• Day-of Tasks
• Follow-up
• Completed

Tips for Effective Column Management

• Keep it simple to start - you can always add more columns as your process becomes more defined
• Limit Work in Progress - avoid having too many tasks in middle columns by establishing limits
• Review regularly - periodically assess if your columns still match your actual workflow
• Be consistent - use similar column structures across related boards when possible

Once you've set up your columns, you're ready to start adding tasks to your board.