Subtasks in ClickUp
Subtasks in ClickUp help you break complex work into smaller, trackable pieces so your team can see every step required to complete a task.
This guide explains how to enable, create, manage, and customize subtasks, following the official behavior described in the ClickUp Help Center.
Overview of subtasks in ClickUp
Subtasks are child items that live under a parent task. They inherit many properties from their parent but can also be managed independently.
You can use subtasks in ClickUp to:
- Divide a large deliverable into smaller steps
- Assign different parts of a task to multiple people
- Track separate due dates and time estimates
- Organize complex workflows while keeping related work together
Subtasks appear in various views and can be configured to show either nested under their parent or as separate items, depending on your settings.
Enable the Subtasks ClickApp
Before creating subtasks, you may need to enable the Subtasks ClickApp for your Workspace or Space.
- Open your Workspace settings or Space settings.
- Locate the ClickApps section.
- Find the Subtasks ClickApp.
- Toggle it on to enable subtasks.
When the Subtasks ClickApp is enabled, new options appear in task views and settings that control how subtasks are displayed and used.
Create subtasks in ClickUp
You can create subtasks in ClickUp directly from a task or from certain views that support nested items.
Create a subtask from the task view in ClickUp
- Open the parent task where you want to add subtasks.
- Scroll to the Subtasks section in the task view.
- Select the option to add a subtask.
- Enter the subtask name and press Enter to save.
- Repeat to add additional subtasks as needed.
Once created, each subtask can have its own assignees, due dates, custom fields, and comments.
Create subtasks from views in ClickUp
Depending on your configuration, you can also create subtasks from supported views, such as List view.
- Open the List, Board, or other supported view for your Space or Folder.
- Locate the parent task.
- Use the expand or add subtask control next to the parent task.
- Type the new subtask name and save.
Some views may require you to expand the parent task row or card to reveal subtask controls.
Manage subtask settings in ClickUp
Subtasks have specific settings that control how they behave and display across your Workspace.
Show or hide subtasks in ClickUp views
You can decide whether subtasks appear nested under their parent tasks or as separate items.
- Open a view such as List view.
- Open the view settings.
- Locate the option for Subtasks.
- Choose one of the following (options may vary by view):
- Hide subtasks
- Show subtasks nested
- Show subtasks as separate items
Changing these settings updates how tasks and subtasks are displayed, helping you focus on either high-level work or detailed steps.
Inherited settings for subtasks in ClickUp
When you create a subtask, it typically inherits some properties from its parent, such as:
- Location (Space, Folder, List)
- Standard custom fields visible on that location
- Some default statuses or workflow structures
You can then customize the subtask independently by changing assignees, due dates, or other fields.
Work with subtask details in ClickUp
Each subtask functions similarly to a regular task with its own set of fields and options.
Assign people and dates to subtasks in ClickUp
You can assign different people and schedule specific dates for each subtask.
- Open the subtask from the parent task or view.
- Use the assignee field to add one or more people.
- Set a start date and due date if needed.
- Save your changes.
This allows teams to clearly see who is responsible for each part of the work and when it is due.
Use custom fields on subtasks in ClickUp
Subtasks can use the same custom fields as tasks in their location. You can:
- Update dropdowns, priorities, or tags
- Track estimates or budgets
- Store reference data shared with the parent task
Custom fields make it easier to filter and report on subtasks in different views.
View and organize subtasks in ClickUp
There are several ways to see and organize subtasks across your Workspace.
Expand and collapse subtasks in ClickUp
In many views, you can expand or collapse subtasks beneath their parent tasks.
- Open a view that supports subtasks, such as List view.
- Click the expand icon next to a parent task to show its subtasks.
- Click the icon again to collapse them.
This helps you quickly switch between a detailed and high-level view of your workload.
Filter and group subtasks in ClickUp
Using view settings, you can filter or group items so that subtasks appear alongside regular tasks based on shared properties like status, assignee, or custom fields.
- Apply filters to show items assigned to a particular person.
- Group by status to see progress across tasks and subtasks.
- Use search to locate specific subtasks by name or field values.
These options are useful when you want to analyze subtasks across multiple parent tasks.
Best practices for subtasks in ClickUp
To get the most value from subtasks, consider the following practices:
- Use subtasks when a single task involves multiple clear steps.
- Keep subtask names action-oriented, such as “Draft outline” or “Review design.”
- Avoid creating subtasks that duplicate entire projects or Lists.
- Use view settings to avoid clutter while still tracking details.
If you need broader process consulting and systems design beyond the standard features described here, you can explore services from Consultevo.
Learn more about ClickUp subtasks
For the most current, official documentation on subtasks, including any new options or limitations, review the source article in the ClickUp Help Center: ClickUp subtasks documentation.
By configuring subtasks correctly and adjusting your view settings, you can use ClickUp to manage detailed workflows while keeping your overall project structure clear and organized.
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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