Master Custom Relationships in ClickUp

Custom Relationships in ClickUp let you connect tasks, Docs, and views so your team can see context, dependencies, and related work in one place. This guide shows you step-by-step how to set up and use Custom Relationships effectively.

With Custom Relationships, you can replace scattered links and manual references with structured, reusable connections that keep your work organized across Spaces and Folders.

What are Custom Relationships in ClickUp?

Custom Relationships are configurable connections between items in your Workspace. They extend the basic task relationships and enable you to define how different types of work relate to each other.

You can create relationships at the Everything, Space, or Folder level and apply them to tasks, Docs, views, or other objects depending on what is supported in your Workspace.

Custom Relationships support:

Linking tasks that are related but not dependent
Connecting tasks to Docs, views, or other objects
Creating structured links instead of ad-hoc URLs
Using common relationship patterns across multiple locations

Where Custom Relationships work in ClickUp

Custom Relationships in ClickUp are available in several locations throughout your Workspace. This makes it easy to keep context visible wherever you are working.

You can typically use Custom Relationships in:

Task views in applicable Spaces and Folders
The task sidebar for supported locations
Custom fields panel, depending on your plan and configuration

Availability may depend on your plan and specific Workspace settings.

How Custom Relationships differ from other ClickUp links

ClickUp gives you several ways to connect information. Custom Relationships are different from simple links or basic relationships.

URL links: Basic web links or task URLs pasted into descriptions or comments. They are flexible but not structured.
Task Relationships: Built-in dependencies and task-to-task relationships like “blocks” or “is related to” with fixed labels.
Custom Relationships: User-defined, reusable connection types with clear names and optional fields.

Use Custom Relationships when you want a consistent link type you can apply across many items, along with a dedicated field in the task sidebar.

Before you create Custom Relationships in ClickUp

Before building Custom Relationships in ClickUp, confirm you have the right permissions and scope.

Make sure you are an owner or admin, or have permission to edit Custom Fields or Workspace configuration.
Decide whether the relationship should be global (Everything level) or limited to a specific Space or Folder.
Plan clear names for each relationship type so your team understands how to use them.

Planning these details ahead of time helps keep your Workspace organized and prevents duplicate or confusing relationship types.

How to create Custom Relationships in ClickUp

Follow these steps to create a new Custom Relationship for tasks and related items.

Step 1: Open the ClickUp Custom Relationships settings

Navigate to the left sidebar and open the area that contains the tasks you want to configure.
Choose the level where the relationship will live: Everything, a specific Space, or a specific Folder.
Open the settings or Custom Fields manager where Custom Relationships can be added.

At the correct level, you will see options to add or manage existing Custom Relationships.

Step 2: Add a new ClickUp Custom Relationship

Click to add a new field or relationship, then select the option for Custom Relationship.
Enter a clear, descriptive name for the relationship. Use terms that are familiar to your team, such as “Client Project”, “Parent Initiative”, or “Linked Request”.
Choose the item type the relationship will connect to, such as tasks or other supported objects.

After saving, the Custom Relationship appears as a field in the task sidebar at the chosen level.

Step 3: Configure visibility and scope in ClickUp

Decide whether the Custom Relationship should be visible only for that Space or Folder, or inherit to lower levels.
Check that the field is enabled in the task layout so team members can see and use it.
If applicable, adjust any advanced options such as required status or default availability.

Once configured, the relationship type can be reused across any task or item that supports it in that part of your ClickUp hierarchy.

How to use Custom Relationships on tasks in ClickUp

After you create a relationship type, you can start linking tasks and other items directly from the task sidebar.

Link tasks with a Custom Relationship

Open a task in the chosen Space or Folder.
Locate the Custom Relationship field you created in the right sidebar.
Click the field and search for the task or object you want to connect.
Select the item to complete the relationship.

The connection appears under the Custom Relationship field, showing a quick reference to the linked item.

Remove or change relationships in ClickUp

Open the task containing the existing Custom Relationship.
Hover over the linked item in the Custom Relationship field.
Use the available option (such as an X or remove icon) to unlink it.
To change the link, remove the old one and then add a new related item.

Editing the relationship on one task updates the visibility of the connection wherever that field is used.

Best practices for Custom Relationships in ClickUp

To get the most value from Custom Relationships in ClickUp, apply a few simple standards for your Workspace.

Use consistent naming: Create relationship names that clearly describe the connection, such as “Related Ticket” or “Linked Doc”.
Avoid duplicates: Before adding a new Custom Relationship, confirm one with a similar purpose does not already exist.
Document usage: Add a short internal guide or training note so your team knows when to use each Custom Relationship.
Review regularly: Periodically review all relationships at the Workspace, Space, and Folder levels to clean up unused ones.

These practices help prevent confusion and keep your ClickUp setup easy to navigate as your team grows.

Troubleshooting Custom Relationships in ClickUp

If you run into issues while working with Custom Relationships, use the checklist below.

Field not visible: Confirm you are viewing a task in the correct Space or Folder where the Custom Relationship is defined.
Cannot add a link: Make sure you have permissions to edit tasks and that the relationship type allows the target item.
Relationship missing on some tasks: Check whether the field is enabled in the layout for those specific views.
Unexpected behavior: Compare your current setup with the official documentation to confirm it matches supported functionality.

You can review the full official documentation for Custom Relationships on the ClickUp Help Center at this page about Custom Relationships.

Optimize your ClickUp setup further

Custom Relationships are only one part of building a powerful and organized Workspace. Combining them with custom fields, views, and automations can give your team a complete project management system tailored to your workflows.

If you need help designing or auditing your workspace, a specialist can review your structure, naming conventions, and relationship strategy. For expert consulting on productivity platforms and workflow design, you can explore services from Consultevo.

By intentionally configuring Custom Relationships in ClickUp and keeping them consistent across Spaces and Folders, your team gains clearer context, faster navigation, and better collaboration on every task.

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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