How to Remove Custom Field Values with ClickUp

This guide explains how to use the ClickUp API to remove custom field values from a task in a safe, predictable way. You will learn which endpoint to call, how to structure your request, and how to handle responses and errors in your integration.

Understanding the ClickUp custom field removal endpoint

The ClickUp API provides a dedicated endpoint to remove the value of a custom field from a specific task. Instead of updating a field with a new value, this endpoint clears the existing one, returning the field to an unset or empty state.

You can review the official reference at the Remove Custom Field Value endpoint documentation.

What this ClickUp endpoint does and does not do

The Remove Custom Field Value endpoint is designed for a very specific purpose.

• It does:
  • Clear the stored value of one custom field on a single task.
  • Maintain the custom field definition itself; only the value is removed.
  • Return details of the task custom field resource after the removal.
• It does not:
  • Delete the custom field from the ClickUp workspace.
  • Remove values from multiple tasks in a single request.
  • Create or edit custom field definitions.

Prerequisites for using the ClickUp API

Before you can remove a custom field value by API, you must have a few items ready in your ClickUp environment and your integration code.

Required IDs and credentials in ClickUp

Make sure you already have:

• Workspace and app access: An API token with permission to edit tasks and custom fields in ClickUp.
• Task ID: The identifier of the task whose field value you want to clear.
• Custom Field ID: The identifier of the field on that task that should have its value removed.

Without the correct IDs, the endpoint will not know which task custom field value you want to remove.

Authentication for the ClickUp request

The request must be authenticated using an API token. In most implementations, you will set this token as a header under an authorization scheme supported by the ClickUp platform. Ensure that your token remains secret and never commit it to public repositories.

ClickUp endpoint details and URL structure

The endpoint is a RESTful resource that follows a predictable URL pattern built from your task ID and custom field ID.

HTTP method and resource path in ClickUp

The Remove Custom Field Value endpoint uses the following pattern:

• Method: DELETE
• Path format: /task/{task_id}/field/{field_id}

Replace {task_id} with the ID of the task and {field_id} with the ID of the custom field whose value you want to clear. The base URL depends on the environment and region configured for your ClickUp API calls.

Headers to include in your ClickUp call

At minimum, you should send:

• Authorization header: Carrying your API token in the format required by ClickUp.
• Content-Type header (when applicable): Typically application/json, especially when the call includes a body.

Step-by-step: Remove a custom field value in ClickUp

Follow the sequence below to safely clear a task custom field value with this ClickUp endpoint.

1. Identify the target ClickUp task

First locate the task that currently has the custom field value you want to remove. Confirm that you have the correct task ID, especially if your integration is processing tasks in bulk.

• Use your internal database or previous API responses to look up the task ID.
• Optionally, call a task retrieval endpoint to verify that the field and value exist.

2. Find the ClickUp custom field ID

Next, determine the field ID for the custom field on that task.

• Inspect task details returned by a task read endpoint that lists custom fields.
• Match the field name from the interface to the numeric or string ID exposed by the API.

Confirm that the field is indeed assigned to the task’s list or space; the remove operation works only when the custom field is available for that task.

3. Build the ClickUp DELETE request

Construct the request as follows.

1. Set the URL: Plug in your task ID and field ID into the resource path described earlier.
2. Set headers: Add your authorization header and any other headers your HTTP client needs.
3. Optional body: Depending on the ClickUp client or SDK you use, you might send an empty body or a minimal JSON payload. Consult the official reference for any body fields that may be supported.

Ensure that your logging masks the token before storing or printing the request in logs.

4. Send the request to ClickUp and review the response

After you send the DELETE request:

• Check the HTTP status code to verify success or failure.
• Inspect the response body for the updated task custom field resource, which should now have the value cleared.
• Record any identifiers or metadata you need for downstream processing or auditing.

If the response indicates an error, note the error code and message returned by ClickUp to help guide your next steps.

Handling responses and errors from the ClickUp API

Robust error handling ensures that your integration behaves reliably when a custom field value removal fails.

Common error scenarios in ClickUp integrations

Potential issues include:

• Invalid or missing authentication: The token is not sent, expired, or lacks the permission to edit tasks.
• Incorrect task ID: The task does not exist or is not visible to the token’s workspace context.
• Invalid custom field ID: The field is not assigned to that task or was removed from the workspace.
• Rate limiting or server errors: Temporary conditions that require retry logic.

When an error occurs, capture both the status code and the error message. Design your ClickUp integration to surface these details so developers and operators can quickly understand what went wrong.

Verifying that ClickUp field values are cleared

After a successful response, you should confirm that the value has been removed:

• Call a task retrieval endpoint and inspect the list of custom fields.
• Ensure that the specific field either shows no value or appears in an empty state as defined by the API.
• Optionally, compare pre- and post-operation snapshots in your logs or database.

Best practices for ClickUp custom field value removal

To keep your workspace and integrations consistent, follow these recommended practices.

Safeguards for production ClickUp workspaces

When you run this endpoint against live data, implement safeguards:

• Double-check targeting: Always confirm the task ID and custom field ID before issuing the delete request.
• Use test environments: Try the operation against a non-production or test space in ClickUp first.
• Maintain audit logs: Log which user or integration triggered the change, the previous value, and the time of the operation.

Designing resilient ClickUp automations

For automated workflows that rely on this endpoint:

• Implement retry logic for transient errors such as network interruptions.
• Set alerting rules when repeated failures occur so you can investigate quickly.
• Guard against accidental mass clear operations by adding explicit checks or approvals when many tasks are affected in sequence.

Next steps for building with ClickUp

Now that you know how to remove custom field values through the API, you can extend your integration to manage custom fields across lifecycle events, such as resetting fields when tasks move between statuses or lists.

If you want professional assistance designing scalable workflows, integration strategies, or documentation around the ClickUp platform, you can visit Consultevo for specialized consulting and implementation services.

For the most accurate and up-to-date technical specifications, always refer back to the official ClickUp Remove Custom Field Value reference before deploying changes to production.