Universe

A Typst package for creating horizontal columned lists, similar to LaTeX’s tasks package. Perfect for exercises, multiple-choice questions, and any content that benefits from a compact columned layout.

Click on an image to see the source code.
Basic Tasks Math Exercises Custom Labels
Basic Tasks Math Exercises Custom Labels
Vertical Flow Column Spanning Bold Labels
Vertical Flow Column Spanning Bold Labels

Features

  • Horizontal flow layout - Items flow left-to-right across columns (like LaTeX’s tasks)
  • Flexible column counts - 2, 3, 4 or any number of columns
  • Column spanning - Items can span multiple columns using (N) syntax
  • Multiple label formats - Alphabetic (a), A)), numeric (1), (1)), roman (i), I)), bullets, or custom
  • Bold labels - Make labels stand out with bold weight
  • Resume numbering - Continue numbering across multiple task blocks
  • Two flow directions - Horizontal (a b | c d) or vertical (a c | b d)
  • Global configuration - Set defaults for all tasks in your document
  • Shorthand functions - tasks2, tasks3, tasks4 for quick column setup

Quick Start

#import "@preview/taskize:0.2.0": tasks

#tasks[
  + First item
  + Second item
  + Third item
  + Fourth item
]

Basic Usage

Simple Two-Column Layout

#import "@preview/taskize:0.2.0": tasks

#tasks[
  + $2 + 3 = ?$
  + $5 - 2 = ?$
  + $4 times 3 = ?$
  + $8 div 2 = ?$
]

Three-Column Layout

#import "@preview/taskize:0.2.0": tasks

#tasks(columns: 3)[
  + Option A
  + Option B
  + Option C
  + Option D
  + Option E
  + Option F
]

Shorthand Functions

#import "@preview/taskize:0.2.0": tasks2, tasks3, tasks4

// Two columns
#tasks2[
  + Item 1
  + Item 2
]

// Three columns
#tasks3[
  + Item 1
  + Item 2
  + Item 3
]

// Four columns
#tasks4[
  + A
  + B
  + C
  + D
]

Label Formats

Built-in Formats

#import "@preview/taskize:0.2.0": tasks

// Lowercase letters with parenthesis (default)
#tasks(label: "a)")[+ One  + Two  + Three]

// Uppercase letters
#tasks(label: "A)")[+ One  + Two  + Three]

// Numbers with parenthesis
#tasks(label: "1)")[+ One  + Two  + Three]

// Numbers in parentheses
#tasks(label: "(1)")[+ One  + Two  + Three]

// Lowercase roman numerals
#tasks(label: "i)")[+ One  + Two  + Three]

// Uppercase roman numerals
#tasks(label: "I)")[+ One  + Two  + Three]

// Bullet points
#tasks(label: "*")[+ One  + Two  + Three]

// Dashes
#tasks(label: "-")[+ One  + Two  + Three]

// No labels
#tasks(label: none)[+ One  + Two  + Three]

Custom Label Function

#import "@preview/taskize:0.2.0": tasks

// Custom emoji labels
#tasks(label: n => "Q" + str(n) + ":")[
  + What is 2+2?
  + What is the capital of France?
  + What color is the sky?
]

Flow Direction

Horizontal Flow (Default)

Items fill rows first: a b | c d | e f

#import "@preview/taskize:0.2.0": tasks

#tasks(columns: 2, flow: "horizontal")[
  + a
  + b
  + c
  + d
  + e
  + f
]
// Layout:
// a)  b)
// c)  d)
// e)  f)

Vertical Flow

Items fill columns first: a c e | b d f

#import "@preview/taskize:0.2.0": tasks

#tasks(columns: 2, flow: "vertical")[
  + a
  + b
  + c
  + d
  + e
  + f
]
// Layout:
// a)  d)
// b)  e)
// c)  f)

Resuming Numbering

#import "@preview/taskize:0.2.0": tasks, tasks-reset

#tasks[
  + First
  + Second
  + Third
]

Some text between task blocks...

// Continue numbering from where we left off
#tasks(resume: true)[
  + Fourth
  + Fifth
  + Sixth
]

// Reset counter to start fresh
#tasks-reset()

#tasks[
  + Back to one
  + Two again
]

Starting from a Specific Number

#import "@preview/taskize:0.2.0": tasks

#tasks(start: 5)[
  + This is item 5
  + This is item 6
  + This is item 7
]

Global Configuration

Set defaults for all tasks in your document:

#import "@preview/taskize:0.2.0": tasks, tasks-setup

// Configure global defaults
#tasks-setup(
  columns: 3,
  label-format: "1)",
  column-gutter: 1.5em,
  row-gutter: 0.8em,
)

// All subsequent tasks use these defaults
#tasks[
  + Item 1
  + Item 2
  + Item 3
]

// Override specific settings per-call
#tasks(columns: 2, label: "a)")[
  + Override A
  + Override B
]

Advanced Features

Label Baseline Alignment

Control the vertical alignment of labels relative to content:

#import "@preview/taskize:0.2.0": tasks

// Center alignment (default)
#tasks(label-baseline: "center")[
  + Short item
  + Multi-line item\
    with more text
]

// Top alignment
#tasks(label-baseline: "top")[
  + Item aligned at top
  + Another item
]

// Bottom alignment
#tasks(label-baseline: "bottom")[
  + Item aligned at bottom
  + Another item
]

Bold Labels

Make labels stand out by using bold weight:

#import "@preview/taskize:0.2.0": tasks

// Bold labels for emphasis
#tasks(label-weight: "bold")[
  + Important task
  + Critical item
  + Key point
]

// Regular labels (default)
#tasks(label-weight: "regular")[
  + Normal item
  + Standard task
]

Column Spanning

Items can span multiple columns using the +() or +(N) syntax (no space after +). This is similar to LaTeX’s \task* command:

#import "@preview/taskize:0.2.0": tasks

#tasks(columns: 3)[
  + Short
  + Short
  + Short
  +(2) This item spans 2 columns
  + Short
  +() This item spans all columns (full width)
  + Normal
  + Normal
]

// Practical example: Multiple choice with explanation
#tasks(columns: 2, label: "A)")[
  + Paris
  + London
  + Berlin
  + Madrid
  +() The capital of France is Paris, known for the Eiffel Tower.
]

Syntax:

  • + Content - Normal item (spans 1 column)
  • +(2) Content - Spans 2 columns (no space after +)
  • +(3) Content - Spans 3 columns
  • +() Content - Spans all columns (full width)

Notes:

  • Important: No space between + and () or (N)
  • If an item with span doesn’t fit in the current row, it wraps to the next row
  • Column spans are clamped to the total number of columns
  • Great for adding explanations, headings, or long content within lists

Parameters Reference

tasks Function

Parameter Type Default Description
columns int 2 Number of columns
label string/function "a)" Label format (shorthand for label-format)
label-format string/function "a)" Label format
start int 1 Starting number for labels
resume bool false Continue numbering from previous block
column-gutter length 1em Space between columns
row-gutter length 0.6em Space between rows
label-width auto/length auto Width reserved for labels
label-align alignment right Label alignment
label-baseline string/length "center" Label vertical alignment: "center", "top", "bottom", or length
label-weight string "regular" Label font weight: "regular" or "bold"
indent-after-label length 0.4em Space between label and content
indent length 0pt Left indentation of entire block
above length 0.5em Space before block
below length 0.5em Space after block
flow string "horizontal" Flow direction: "horizontal" or "vertical"

Label Format Options

Format Example Description
"a)" a) b) c) Lowercase letters with closing paren
"a." a. b. c. Lowercase letters with period
"(a)" (a) (b) © Lowercase letters in parentheses
"A)" A) B) C) Uppercase letters with closing paren
"A." A. B. C. Uppercase letters with period
"1)" 1) 2) 3) Numbers with closing paren
"1." 1. 2. 3. Numbers with period
"(1)" (1) (2) (3) Numbers in parentheses
"i)" i) ii) iii) Lowercase roman numerals
"I)" I) II) III) Uppercase roman numerals
"*" bullet Bullet points
"-" dash En-dashes
none (none) No labels
function custom Custom function n => content

Examples

Math Exercise Sheet

#import "@preview/taskize:0.2.0": tasks

= Algebra Practice

Simplify the following expressions:

#tasks(columns: 2)[
  + $x^2 + 2x + 1$
  + $(a + b)^2$
  + $3x - 5 + 2x + 8$
  + $frac(x^2 - 4, x - 2)$
]

Solve for $x$:

#tasks(columns: 2, label: "1)")[
  + $2x + 5 = 13$
  + $x^2 = 16$
  + $3(x - 2) = 15$
  + $frac(x, 4) = 7$
]

Multiple Choice Questions

#import "@preview/taskize:0.2.0": tasks

*Question 1:* What is the capital of France?

#tasks(columns: 2, label: "A)")[
  + London
  + Paris
  + Berlin
  + Madrid
]

*Question 2:* Which planet is closest to the Sun?

#tasks(columns: 2, label: "A)")[
  + Venus
  + Mercury
  + Mars
  + Earth
]

Vocabulary List

#import "@preview/taskize:0.2.0": tasks

= French Vocabulary

#tasks(columns: 3, label: none)[
  + *bonjour* - hello
  + *merci* - thank you
  + *oui* - yes
  + *non* - no
  + *s'il vous plait* - please
  + *au revoir* - goodbye
]

When to Use taskize

taskize is specifically designed for horizontal columned layouts where items flow left-to-right across multiple columns, perfect for exercises, multiple-choice questions, and compact lists. Choose taskize when you need:

  • Horizontal flow layout - Items arranged in rows across columns (a b | c d | e f)
  • Compact exercise sheets - Mathematical exercises, vocabulary lists, multiple-choice questions
  • Flexible column control - Easy 2, 3, 4+ column layouts with shorthand functions
  • Resume numbering - Continue numbering across multiple task blocks
  • LaTeX tasks compatibility - Familiar syntax for users migrating from LaTeX’s tasks package

Comparison with itemize

itemize is an excellent, feature-rich package for vertical list styling with advanced customization capabilities. Use itemize when you need:

  • Vertical lists with advanced styling (colors, custom markers, spacing)
  • Nested lists with sophisticated formatting
  • Rich marker customization (emojis, custom content, per-item markers)
  • Advanced typography control over list appearance
  • Complex list hierarchies with fine-grained control

In summary: Use taskize for horizontal multi-column layouts (exercises, quizzes, compact lists), and use itemize for feature-rich vertical lists with advanced styling. They complement each other well for different layout needs.

License

MIT License - see LICENSE file for details.

Changelog

All notable changes to taskize are documented here.

[0.2.0] - 2026-01-15

Added

  • Column spanning - Items can span multiple columns using (N) syntax (e.g., + (2) Content or + () Full width)
  • label-baseline parameter for controlling vertical alignment of labels ("center", "top", "bottom", or custom length)
  • label-weight parameter for bold labels ("regular" or "bold")
  • Advanced Features section in documentation with examples
  • Gallery examples for column spanning and bold labels

Changed

  • Repository URL updated to GitLab: https://gitlab.com/nathan-ed/typst-package-taskize
  • Description enhanced to mention “Horizontal and vertical” flow directions

[0.1.0] - 2026-01-14

Added

  • Initial release with horizontal columned list layout
  • Flexible column counts (2, 3, 4, or custom)
  • Multiple label formats (alphabetic, numeric, roman, bullets, custom)
  • Resume numbering across multiple task blocks
  • Two flow directions: horizontal (a b | c d) and vertical (a c | b d)
  • Global configuration system with tasks-setup()
  • Shorthand functions tasks2, tasks3, tasks4
  • Comprehensive parameter customization
  • Full documentation with examples and parameter reference