Master Timeline Groups in ClickUp
The Timeline view in ClickUp lets you group tasks in flexible ways so you can understand priorities, manage workloads, and keep projects organized over time. This guide explains each grouping option and shows you exactly how to configure Timeline view to match your workflow.
Overview of ClickUp Timeline view grouping
Grouping in Timeline view controls how tasks are visually separated into lanes or rows. Instead of seeing one long list of tasks, you can segment work by:
- Assignee
- Status
- Priority
- Custom fields (options only)
- Subtasks, when expanded
Each grouping option changes how the schedule is displayed so teams can focus on the information that matters most for planning and execution.
How to open and configure ClickUp Timeline view
Before you start grouping, open a Timeline view for your location.
Open a Timeline view in ClickUp
- Navigate to the Space, Folder, or List where you track tasks.
- In the views bar, select Timeline from the available view options.
- If Timeline is not visible, add it as a new view and save your preferences.
Once the view is open, you can start customizing grouping, filters, and display settings.
Access grouping controls in ClickUp Timeline
- At the top of the Timeline view, locate the Group dropdown menu.
- Click the dropdown to see all available grouping options.
- Select the grouping that best matches how you want to organize tasks.
The Timeline will refresh instantly and display tasks in new lanes according to your selection.
Group tasks by assignee in ClickUp Timeline
Use grouping by assignee to understand who is responsible for each task and to balance workloads across the team.
Enable assignee grouping in ClickUp
- Open the Group dropdown in Timeline view.
- Select Assignee.
Tasks are now grouped into lanes for each assignee. Tasks without an assignee are placed in an Unassigned lane.
Why group by assignee in ClickUp
This grouping option is especially helpful when you need to:
- See workloads across specific dates.
- Identify overallocated team members during busy periods.
- Quickly reassign tasks to balance schedules.
You can drag tasks between people directly in the Timeline to adjust ownership while keeping dates intact.
Group tasks by status in ClickUp Timeline
Grouping by status helps you visualize how work is progressing and where tasks may be blocked.
Turn on status grouping in ClickUp
- Open the Timeline view and click the Group dropdown.
- Select Status.
Tasks are stacked by their current workflow status, such as To Do, In Progress, or Complete, depending on how your workflow is configured.
Benefits of status grouping in ClickUp
Status grouping lets you:
- Quickly see which tasks are in each phase of your process.
- Spot bottlenecks where tasks are not moving forward.
- Review the Timeline for standups or status meetings.
Drag tasks from one status lane to another to update progress and keep your workflow moving.
Group tasks by priority in ClickUp Timeline
Grouping by priority shows you how urgent work is distributed over time so you can focus on the most important tasks first.
Enable priority grouping in ClickUp
- In Timeline view, click the Group dropdown.
- Select Priority.
Tasks are arranged by priority labels such as Urgent, High, Normal, and Low, with an additional lane for tasks that have no priority assigned.
Use cases for priority grouping in ClickUp
Priority grouping is useful when you need to:
- Plan sprints or work cycles around the most urgent tasks.
- Ensure critical tasks are not hidden in a general Timeline.
- Balance less important work around key deadlines.
This makes it easier to align your schedule with impact and deadlines.
Group tasks by ClickUp custom fields
If you use dropdown or label-type custom fields in ClickUp, you can group tasks in the Timeline based on those field values.
Requirements for custom field grouping in ClickUp
To group tasks by a custom field in Timeline view, make sure:
- The custom field is an options-based field (for example, Dropdown or Label).
- The field is applied to the same location (Space, Folder, or List) as the Timeline view.
Enable grouping by custom field in ClickUp
- Click the Group dropdown in Timeline view.
- Scroll to find the Custom Fields section.
- Select the custom field you want to use for grouping.
The Timeline will create lanes for each option in that custom field, plus an additional lane for tasks that do not have a value set.
Examples of custom field grouping in ClickUp
Common ways to use custom field grouping include:
- Grouping by Team or Department.
- Grouping by Project Phase such as Discovery, Design, or Launch.
- Grouping by Client or Product Line.
This gives you powerful, flexible control over how work is visualized in the Timeline.
Expand subtasks in ClickUp Timeline view
Subtasks are shown inside their parent tasks by default, but you can expand them to manage timelines at a more granular level.
Show or hide subtasks in ClickUp Timeline
- Open the Timeline view where your tasks and subtasks are stored.
- At the top of the view, locate the Subtasks toggle or settings option.
- Enable Expand Subtasks to display each subtask as its own bar on the Timeline.
When expanded, subtasks inherit the same grouping logic you selected for the view, such as by assignee, status, or priority.
Why expand subtasks in ClickUp
Expanding subtasks makes it easier to:
- Plan detailed schedules for complex tasks.
- Assign different parts of one task to multiple people.
- Track dependencies and handoffs over time.
This is particularly effective when working with cross-functional teams or multi-step deliverables.
Best practices for ClickUp Timeline groups
To get the most value from grouping options in Timeline view, follow these recommendations.
Choose the right ClickUp grouping for your goal
Select a grouping option that matches what you need to answer:
- Use Assignee when you review workloads and capacity.
- Use Status for progress reviews and daily standups.
- Use Priority when planning what to tackle next.
- Use Custom fields for higher-level planning by teams, phases, or categories.
Combine filters with ClickUp Timeline groups
Filters help you refine what appears in the Timeline so your groups stay focused and readable.
Common filter combinations include:
- Filtering to a specific assignee while grouping by status.
- Filtering to urgent tasks while grouping by assignee.
- Filtering to one List or Folder while grouping by a custom field.
This makes the view more relevant to each team member or use case.
Keep ClickUp data consistent for accurate grouping
Grouping only works well when task details are kept up to date. Encourage your team to:
- Assign tasks to the correct owners.
- Update status as work progresses.
- Set priorities for important tasks.
- Fill in required custom fields.
Clean, consistent data ensures that Timeline groups accurately reflect your real-world work.
More resources on ClickUp Timeline features
For the most detailed, up-to-date information, review the official documentation on grouping in Timeline view provided by the platform: Group tasks in Timeline view.
If you want expert help optimizing your workspace, workflows, and views for better productivity and reporting, you can also consult specialists at Consultevo.
By mastering grouping options in Timeline view, you transform how you plan, track, and communicate schedules inside your workspace. With clear organization by assignee, status, priority, or custom fields, teams gain better insight into what is happening now and what is coming next.
Need Help With ClickUp?
If you want expert help building, automating, or scaling your ClickUp workspace, work with ConsultEvo — trusted ClickUp Solution Partners.
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