Edit Time Tracked in ClickUp via API
Managing accurate time entries in ClickUp is essential when you rely on the Time Tracking API for billing, reporting, and productivity analysis. This guide explains how to edit existing tracked time entries using the dedicated endpoint, with a focus on parameters, authentication, and practical usage patterns.
Overview of the ClickUp Time Tracking Edit Endpoint
The Time Tracking API in ClickUp includes an endpoint that lets you update a specific time entry by its ID. Instead of deleting and recreating logs, you can adjust durations, dates, notes, and billable status in place.
The endpoint you will use is:
PUT /api/v2/team/{team_id}/time_entries/{time_entry_id}
This endpoint is designed specifically for editing an existing time tracking record that is already associated with a team and a task.
Prerequisites for Using the ClickUp API
Before calling the edit time tracked endpoint, make sure you have:
- A valid ClickUp account and appropriate workspace permissions.
- An API token generated from your account settings.
- The
team_id(workspace ID) where the time entry exists. - The
time_entry_idof the time entry you want to change.
If you work with multiple workspaces, confirm that the team ID corresponds to the correct ClickUp workspace where the time was originally tracked.
ClickUp Endpoint URL and Authentication
The base structure of the request will look like this:
PUT https://api.clickup.com/api/v2/team/{team_id}/time_entries/{time_entry_id}
Authentication is handled via an API token sent in the request header:
Authorization: <your-api-token>Content-Type: application/json
Replace {team_id} and {time_entry_id} with the actual numeric or string IDs provided by the ClickUp platform.
Required Fields When Editing Time in ClickUp
When you edit a time entry in ClickUp, one key field is required in the body of the request:
duration(number): The total time in milliseconds for the entry.
Even if you only want to update the note or billable state, the API requires a duration value. Always provide the full, updated duration when you send the request.
Optional Fields for Time Entries in ClickUp
Beyond duration, the edit endpoint allows several optional fields. These enable precise control over how a time entry appears in ClickUp reports and task views.
ClickUp time entry metadata options
start(number): Start time in milliseconds since Unix epoch.end(number): End time in milliseconds since Unix epoch.billable(boolean): Marks the time as billable or non‑billable.description(string): A note describing the work performed.tag_ids(array): IDs of tags attached to the time entry.
Use start and end together to define the exact time window. If you omit them, ClickUp will rely primarily on duration for reporting.
ClickUp task association and user fields
tid(string): Task ID that the time entry belongs to.assignee(number): User ID for the person whose time is being edited.
The time entry is normally already tied to a task, but you may adjust the associated task or assignee if necessary, depending on your permissions in ClickUp.
Step-by-Step: How to Edit Time Tracked in ClickUp
Follow these steps to update a time entry using the ClickUp API:
- Identify the time entry
- Retrieve the list of time entries via the appropriate listing endpoint.
- Locate the
time_entry_idyou want to modify.
- Gather required IDs
- Confirm the
team_id(workspace ID) from your ClickUp environment. - Verify the
task_idandassigneeif you plan to change them.
- Confirm the
- Calculate the new duration
- Convert your desired duration to milliseconds (for example, 30 minutes = 1,800,000 ms).
- Prepare the request body
- Include
durationand any optional fields you want to change.
- Include
- Send the PUT request
- Make the call to the ClickUp API endpoint with the proper headers.
- Check the response for the updated time entry data or any error details.
Example Request to Edit Time in ClickUp
The following JSON body illustrates how to update a time entry in ClickUp:
{
"duration": 3600000,
"start": 1712688000000,
"end": 1712691600000,
"billable": true,
"description": "Updated development work log",
"tid": "task_123abc",
"assignee": 12345678,
"tag_ids": ["tag_dev", "tag_bugfix"]
}
In this example, the duration is set to one hour (3,600,000 ms), and the time entry is associated with a specific task, assignee, and tags inside ClickUp.
Handling Responses from the ClickUp API
When your request succeeds, the API returns the updated time entry object. Typical fields include:
id: Unique time entry ID.task: Task object the time entry is linked to.user: User associated with the time entry.billable,duration,start,end: Updated tracking values.
If there is an error, ClickUp responds with an HTTP status code and an error message. Common causes include invalid IDs, missing duration, or insufficient workspace permissions.
Best Practices for Editing Time in ClickUp
To keep your ClickUp workspace consistent and your reports reliable, follow these practices:
- Always log and store the original time entry before editing, especially for billing use cases.
- Limit who can run scripts that modify time entries via API.
- Validate your milliseconds calculations to avoid unintended long or zero durations.
- Use consistent tagging and descriptions for easy filtering in ClickUp dashboards.
ClickUp automation and integration tips
You can combine the Time Tracking API with your own automation or integration workflows. For example:
- Correct time entries after an external system sync.
- Bulk update billable flags for specific projects.
- Normalize descriptions for time logs coming from multiple tools into ClickUp.
Reference and Further ClickUp Resources
For the full technical reference, parameter details, and up‑to‑date examples, consult the official ClickUp documentation for this endpoint:
ClickUp Edit Time Tracked API reference
If you need help planning more advanced automation around time tracking or want to integrate the ClickUp API into a larger workflow, you can also review implementation insights from specialized consultants such as Consultevo.
By following the steps and recommendations in this guide, you can reliably edit tracked time in ClickUp using the Time Tracking API while preserving accurate records for your team, projects, and clients.
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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