Here’s how you can import your to-dos from other apps into Things.

In this article:
  1. Import from Apple Reminders
  2. Import from OmniFocus 2 or 3 (Pro)
  3. Import from Todoist
  4. Import from Outlook for Mac
  5. Import from Toodledo
  6. Import from a plain text file
  7. Copy and paste text

How to Use the AppleScripts

Some of the import options below require you to download an AppleScript. Here’s how to use it:

  1. Download the AppleScript you’d like to use via the Download AppleScript link.
  2. Locate the downloaded file and double-click it. This will launch the AppleScript Editor.
  3. In the toolbar, click the ▶ Run button.

Import from Apple Reminders

This option requires macOS 10.15, iOS 13, or iPadOS 13.

Your lists are imported as projects in Things, but some of them might be better off as areas. Consider creating a new area and moving your to-dos over. Repeating to-dos are imported, but are not set to repeat, please re-create them inside Things. Apple doesn’t expose all Reminders data to us, so the following data are not imported: attachments, list groups, sub-task indentation, flagged status, priority, location-based reminders.

Mac
  1. On your Mac, open Things.
  2. In the menu bar at the top of your screen, click File → Import → Import From Reminders.
  3. In the new window, click Import Now to start the migration.

If you’re looking for ways to quickly add individual to-dos to Things via Reminders check out this page instead. (requires macOS 10.14 and better)

iPad
  1. On your iPad, open Things.
  2. In the sidebar, tap → Reminders Inbox.
  3. Tap Open Reminders Importer.
  4. In the new pop-up window, tap Import Now to start the migration.

If you’re looking for ways to quickly add individual to-dos to Things via Reminders, for example by speaking them to Siri, check out this page instead (requires iOS 12.1 or later).

iPhone
  1. On your iPhone, open Things.
  2. In the main view, scroll to the bottom and tap Settings → Reminders Inbox.
  3. Tap Open Reminders Importer.
  4. In the new pop-up window, tap Import Now to start the migration.

If you’re looking for ways to quickly add individual to-dos to Things via Reminders, for example by speaking them to Siri, check out this page instead. (requires iOS 12.1 and better)

Watch

You can use Siri to speak Reminders on your Apple Watch, which will then be created in the Reminders app on your iPhone. To add individual Reminders to Things, please check out this page.

Import from OmniFocus 2 or 3 (Pro)

Imports projects and to-dos with due dates and notes, converts top-level folders to areas, and contexts to tags. Once downloaded, unzip the file and double-click the app to run it. Please note that only the Pro version of OmniFocus provides AppleScript support, so it will only work if you have that version installed.

Download Importer for OF 2 Pro Download Importer for OF 3 Pro

If you see a warning that the app (Importer) can’t be opened due to security concerns, please go to Settings. On macOS 13 (Ventura), go to System Settings → Privacy & Security. Scroll down and in the Security section, click Allow. On macOS 12 or older, go to System Preferences → Security & Privacy. In the bottom section of the General tab, click the button Open Anyway.

Import from Todoist

Imports to-dos and projects. Projects with children will become projects in Things; projects without children will become Areas in Things. Repeating to-dos are converted to normal to-dos and you have to make them repeat manually. Labels become tags.

Mac
  1. On your Mac, open Things.
  2. In the menu bar at the top of your screen, click File → Import From → Import From Todoist.
iPad
  1. On your iPad, open Things.
  2. Go to → Import → Import from Todoist.
iPhone
  1. On your iPhone, open Things.
  2. Go to Settings → Import → Import from Todoist.

Import from Outlook for Mac

This script is for Outlook version 16.57 or earlier (newer versions of Outlook no longer have the task feature built-in).

When you run the script, you’ll be provided with some options for including projects, completed to-dos, categories, and priorities. Notes will be imported as HTML markup.

Download AppleScript

Import from Toodledo

Uses a Toodledo XML export file. Imports to-dos with due dates, notes, and contexts as tags. Creates projects from your project folders. To-dos without a project go into the Next list.

Download AppleScript

Import from a plaintext file

Creates a to-do for each line in a plaintext file. If you hit ⇥ Tab after a title, the text that follows will be imported as a note: title ⇥ Tab note

Download AppleScript

Copy and paste text

If you quickly want to convert a simple list from an app like Apple Notes, Apple Mail or any other text app into to-dos in Things, here’s how:

Mac
  • Copy a plain text list and hit ⌘ Cmd V inside Things. Each line of text will be converted into a separate to-do.
  • Copy a plain text list and hit ⌘ Cmd V inside an open to-do. The first line of text will be converted into the title of your to-do, the rest of the text will be added to the notes of the to-do.
iPad
  • Copy a plain text list and hit in the top right corner in Things. Each line of text will be converted into a separate to-do.
  • Copy a plain text list, tap into the title of a new to-do in Things, and hit in the top right corner. The first line of text will be converted into the title of your to-do, the rest of the text will be added to the notes of the to-do.
iPhone
  • Copy a plain text list and hit in the top right corner in Things. Each line of text will be converted into a separate to-do.
  • Copy a plain text list, tap into the title of a new to-do in Things, and hit in the top right corner. The first line of text will be converted into the title of your to-do, the rest of the text will be added to the notes of the to-do.
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