# Frequently Asked Questions Quick answers to common questions. If you can't find what you need, search this help site or email us at [email protected]. --- ## I accidentally deleted a task in the outliner Don't worry -- your task isn't gone. When you delete a task in the outliner (using Backspace/Delete or <kbd>Cmd</kbd><kbd>Backspace</kbd>), MakeTimeFlow **cancels** it rather than permanently deleting it. All your task details -- notes, subtasks, labels, priorities, time estimates -- are preserved. **To restore it:** 1. Go to the **Task Table** view (the table icon in the sidebar) 2. Click the **Status** filter and select **Cancelled** 3. Your most recently cancelled tasks appear first -- find yours near the top 4. Click on the task to open it 5. Click the **Restore** button in the yellow cancelled banner Your task is back, exactly as it was. > [!tip] Undo in the Outliner > If you catch the mistake immediately, <kbd>Cmd</kbd><kbd>Z</kbd> (Mac) or <kbd>Ctrl</kbd><kbd>Z</kbd> (Windows/Linux) will undo the cancellation right in the outliner. See also: [[Finding Tasks]], [[Task Filters in Flow]] --- ## I can't find a task I know I created Tasks can be in one of three states: **Active**, **Completed**, or **Cancelled**. By default, most views show only active tasks. If you can't find a task, it may have been completed or cancelled. **How to search across all statuses:** 1. Go to the **Task Table** view 2. Set the **Status** filter to **Any** -- this shows active, completed, and cancelled tasks 3. Use the **search box** to type part of the task name > [!tip] Narrowing it down > If you remember roughly when you last touched the task, combine the Status filter with the **Updated** time filter (today, this week, last week, etc.) to narrow results. See also: [[Finding Tasks]] --- ## What's the difference between completed, cancelled, and deleted? | State | What it means | How it happens | Can I get it back? | |-------|--------------|----------------|-------------------| | **Completed** | You finished the task | Toggle done (<kbd>Cmd</kbd><kbd>D</kbd>) or check it off | Yes -- uncheck it or use the status toggle | | **Cancelled** | You removed it from your plate | Delete in outliner, or cancel via task menu | Yes -- use the **Restore** button in Task Table | | **Permanently deleted** | Gone forever | Click the "x" on a cancelled task, or delete in Edit as Text mode | No | Most of the time when you think you've "deleted" a task, you've actually **cancelled** it -- and it's fully recoverable. > [!info] Why cancel instead of delete? > We use a "soft delete" approach because tasks often carry valuable context -- notes, subtasks, time tracked, labels. Cancelling keeps all of that recoverable, like moving something to cold storage instead of throwing it away. If you want to fully delete tasks, just select them in the table view, and delete again. They will be fully deleted from the system. See also: [[Task Filters in Flow#Managing Cancelled Tasks]]