How to create checklists within cards on Trello
Quick Answer
To create checklists in Trello cards, open any card and click the Checklist button in the Add to Card section. You can then add individual checklist items and check them off as tasks are completed.
Prerequisites
- Trello account
- Access to a Trello board
- Basic familiarity with Trello cards
Step-by-Step Instructions
1
Open the Trello card
Navigate to your Trello board and click on the card where you want to add a checklist. This will open the card details view in a modal window or sidebar depending on your view settings.
You can create a new card by clicking <strong>+ Add a card</strong> if you don't have one ready.
2
Locate the Checklist option
In the card details view, look for the Add to Card section on the right side of the screen. Click on the Checklist button, which is represented by a checkbox icon.
3
Name your checklist
A dialog box will appear asking you to name your checklist. Enter a descriptive title in the Title field, such as "Project Tasks" or "Meeting Agenda". Click Add Checklist to create it.
Choose a clear, descriptive name that reflects the purpose of your checklist items.
4
Add checklist items
Once the checklist is created, you'll see an Add an item text field at the bottom of the checklist section. Type your first task or item and press Enter or click Add to save it.
Keep checklist items concise and actionable for better task management.
5
Continue adding items
Repeat the previous step to add more items to your checklist. Each item will appear as a new line with an empty checkbox next to it. You can add as many items as needed for your project or task.
6
Check off completed items
As you complete tasks, click the empty checkbox next to each item to mark it as done. Completed items will show a checkmark and may appear crossed out or moved to a completed section depending on your settings.
The card will show a progress bar indicating what percentage of checklist items are complete.
7
Manage checklist items
Hover over any checklist item to see additional options. You can edit the item text by clicking on it, delete items using the trash icon, or drag items to reorder them within the checklist.
You can convert checklist items into separate cards by clicking the card icon that appears when hovering.
8
Add multiple checklists
If needed, you can add multiple checklists to the same card by repeating steps 2-3. Each checklist will have its own title and set of items, allowing you to organize different types of tasks within one card.
Multiple checklists are useful for complex projects with different categories of tasks.
Common Issues & Troubleshooting
Checklist button is not visible
Make sure you have edit permissions for the board. If you're a board member with limited permissions, ask the board admin to grant you editing rights.
Cannot add items to checklist
Refresh the page and try again. If the problem persists, check your internet connection or try using a different browser.
Checklist items are not saving
Ensure you're pressing Enter or clicking Add after typing each item. Wait for the item to appear before adding the next one.
Progress bar not updating
The progress bar should update automatically when you check/uncheck items. If it doesn't, refresh the page or try logging out and back into Trello.
Prices mentioned in this guide are pulled from current plan data and may change. Always verify on the official Trello website before purchasing.