Master Start and Due Dates in ClickUp
Managing time effectively in ClickUp starts with understanding how start and due dates work together to keep every task on track. This guide walks you through each option so you can schedule work accurately and avoid missed deadlines.
Below, you will learn how to add, edit, and remove dates, as well as how to use advanced options like time tracking and time estimates.
What are start and due dates in ClickUp?
Start and due dates define when work begins and when it should be completed. In ClickUp, these dates control how tasks appear in views such as Calendar, Gantt, and Workload.
You can use them to:
- Plan when work should start.
- Set clear deadlines for completion.
- Visualize schedules across your Workspace.
- Align timelines with your team.
For full platform documentation, you can also review the official article on the intro to start and due dates.
Key date options in ClickUp
When you open the date picker on a task, you will see several options for configuring task timing. These options allow you to control both dates and times.
Due date only
Use this when you only care about the deadline. The task will show as due on a specific day or at a specific time, without tracking when work starts.
- Select a single calendar date.
- Optionally set a specific due time.
- Ideal for simple tasks or reminders.
Start date and due date
If you want to represent a work window, choose both a start and due date. This lets you schedule when work should begin and end in ClickUp.
- Choose a start date for when work is expected to begin.
- Choose a due date for when the task should be completed.
- Visualize the full duration on Gantt and Calendar views.
All day vs. time-specific dates
You can choose to track dates as all-day or time-specific.
- All day: No specific time is set; the task spans the day.
- Time-specific: Add exact start and end times to capture a precise schedule.
This is especially useful for teams using ClickUp to manage appointments, events, or tightly scheduled tasks.
How to set start and due dates in ClickUp
Use the following steps to apply dates to any task. The exact interface may vary slightly depending on your current view, but the process remains similar.
Step 1: Open the task
- Navigate to the Space, Folder, or List where your task lives.
- Click on the task name to open the task details panel.
Step 2: Open the date picker
- Locate the date area near the top of the task panel.
- Click the date field to open the calendar and time selector.
Step 3: Choose a due date
- Click a date on the calendar to set it as the due date.
- If you want a specific time, toggle the time option and select the desired hour and minute.
The task will now appear on that date in calendar-based views inside ClickUp.
Step 4: Add a start date
- In the date picker, enable the start date option.
- Select a start date on the calendar.
- Optional: Set a specific start time.
Once saved, the task will display a duration from the start date to the due date, which helps with planning workloads.
Editing and removing dates in ClickUp
You can update dates at any time to reflect changes in your schedule.
How to edit dates
- Open the task.
- Click the date field to reopen the date picker.
- Change the start date, due date, or both by selecting new values.
- Adjust times if required.
- Confirm your changes.
Updated dates are immediately reflected across all related views and reports.
How to clear dates
- Open the task date picker.
- Look for a clear or remove option.
- Click it to remove the start date, due date, or the full date range.
Once cleared, the task will no longer appear in date-driven views like Calendar or Gantt until you add new dates.
Advanced date features in ClickUp
Beyond basic start and due dates, several advanced features help you plan and review work more accurately.
Time estimates
Time estimates let you specify how long a task is expected to take. When combined with start and due dates, this helps you check if the planned duration is realistic.
- Estimate in minutes, hours, or days.
- Compare planned time against available time between dates.
- Use in Workload and reporting views for better capacity planning.
Time tracking
Time tracking allows you to log actual time spent on tasks within ClickUp.
- Track time for yourself or for your team.
- Compare tracked time against estimates.
- Review how long tasks took within specific date ranges.
Views powered by start and due dates
Several views rely heavily on accurate start and due dates:
- Calendar view: Shows tasks by day, week, or month.
- Gantt view: Displays tasks on a timeline with dependencies.
- Workload view: Helps balance team capacity using estimates and date ranges.
Maintaining precise dates ensures that these views represent your real schedule in ClickUp.
Best practices for managing dates in ClickUp
The following best practices help teams stay aligned and avoid confusion around scheduling.
Use start dates for multi-day work
Whenever a task will take more than one day, use both start and due dates so that timelines reflect the actual work period.
- Set the start date to the first planned workday.
- Set the due date to the final day of work.
- Pair with time estimates for balanced workloads.
Apply consistent date rules
Define simple internal rules for how your team uses dates in ClickUp, such as:
- Always using time-specific due dates for client-facing deadlines.
- Using all-day dates for internal planning tasks.
- Updating dates immediately when priorities change.
Review dates regularly
Regular reviews help keep your Workspace accurate and trustworthy.
- Check weekly calendars for overdue tasks.
- Adjust start dates when work is delayed.
- Reschedule tasks that no longer match your roadmap.
Where to learn more about ClickUp
If you are implementing or optimizing ClickUp for your team, consider exploring expert resources to refine your setup and processes. You can find additional productivity and implementation guidance at Consultevo.
To dive deeper into how start and due dates work across all views, automations, and features, review the official documentation on the ClickUp help center.
By mastering start and due dates, you can turn your Workspace into a reliable source of truth for priorities, timelines, and team capacity, ensuring that every project stays on schedule.
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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