Organize Work with ClickUp Folders
ClickUp lets you organize your work with Folders so you can group related Lists, control structure in each Space, and keep tasks easy to find for every team.
This how-to guide explains what Folders are, how they relate to Spaces and Lists, and the exact steps to create, edit, move, and delete them without losing important work.
How hierarchy works in ClickUp
Before you start working with Folders, it helps to understand the basic hierarchy in ClickUp. This structure keeps everything organized and searchable.
- Workspace: The overall account for your company or team.
- Space: A major area like Marketing, Product, or Operations.
- Folder: A container that groups Lists inside a Space.
- List: A collection of tasks, often for a project or workflow stage.
- Task: The individual item of work assigned to people.
Folders sit between Spaces and Lists. They help you avoid long, unstructured lists of projects by grouping them into clear categories.
What ClickUp Folders are used for
Folders in ClickUp are optional but powerful. They are especially useful when a Space contains many Lists and projects.
Common ways to use Folders include:
- Grouping projects by client, product line, or department.
- Separating active, backlog, and archived project Lists.
- Organizing recurring workflows, such as campaigns or sprints.
- Keeping sensitive Lists together to manage access more easily.
You can create as many Folders as you need inside each Space, then add Lists inside those Folders to match your real-world processes.
How to create a Folder in ClickUp
Follow these simple steps to create a Folder within a Space.
Step 1: Open the correct Space in ClickUp
- In the sidebar, locate the Space where you want to add a Folder.
- Click the Space name to expand its contents.
Make sure the Space is the right home for the Lists and tasks you plan to group.
Step 2: Add a new Folder
- In the expanded Space view, look for the option to add a new Folder.
- Click the control or plus icon next to the Space to create a Folder.
- Enter a clear, descriptive Folder name, such as “Client A Projects” or “Q3 Campaigns”.
Naming Folders carefully makes them easier for teammates to understand and search for later.
Step 3: Configure Folder details
After creating a Folder, you can configure its details to match your needs.
- Adjust settings and permissions that are available at the Folder level.
- Choose who can access the Folder by using the sharing and privacy options in the hierarchy.
- Prepare the Folder to hold multiple Lists that share similar purpose or workflows.
These options help ensure that only the right users can see or edit sensitive Lists inside your Folder.
How to add Lists to ClickUp Folders
Once your Folder is set up, the next step is to add Lists so you can start tracking tasks in a structured way.
Create a new List inside a ClickUp Folder
- Open the Folder from the sidebar.
- Click the option to add a List within the Folder.
- Name the List to describe the project, workflow, or category it represents.
Lists might represent projects, sprints, pipelines, or documentation, depending on how your team works in ClickUp.
Move an existing List into a ClickUp Folder
If you already have Lists in the Space, you can organize them into Folders.
- Find the List you want to move in the sidebar or List view.
- Use the move or drag-and-drop option (where available) to place it into the desired Folder.
- Confirm the destination if prompted.
After moving, the List will appear under the Folder, but all tasks and data inside the List remain intact.
How to edit and manage ClickUp Folders
You can manage your Folders over time as projects and teams change. Editing options allow you to keep naming, structure, and permissions up to date.
Rename a Folder
- Right-click or open the menu for the Folder in the sidebar.
- Select the option to rename the Folder.
- Enter the new name and save.
Use consistent naming conventions so everyone in your Workspace understands what each Folder contains.
Change Folder location in ClickUp
Sometimes you may need to move a Folder to a different part of your ClickUp hierarchy.
- Open the Folder options menu.
- Choose the option to move or change the location.
- Select the new Space, if moving across Spaces is supported in your current plan and configuration.
- Confirm the action.
When you move a Folder, its Lists and tasks move with it, keeping work grouped together.
Adjust Folder sharing and privacy
Folder-level sharing in ClickUp allows you to control who sees the Lists inside it.
- Open the Folder and access its sharing or privacy controls.
- Share the Folder with individual users, teams, or guests as needed.
- Limit access to sensitive Lists by keeping them inside private Folders.
Using Folder sharing correctly keeps information secure while still allowing transparent collaboration.
How to delete a Folder in ClickUp safely
Deleting a Folder removes it from your hierarchy, so you should confirm what will happen to the Lists and tasks it contains.
Steps to delete a Folder
- Open the Folder menu in the sidebar.
- Select the delete option.
- Read any warning message carefully to understand whether Lists and tasks will also be deleted or moved.
- Confirm the deletion only if you are sure you no longer need the Folder or its content.
If you are unsure, consider archiving Lists or moving them out of the Folder instead of deleting.
Best practices before deleting ClickUp Folders
- Review Lists inside the Folder to confirm they are no longer needed.
- Export or back up critical data where appropriate.
- Communicate changes to your team so they know where to find ongoing work.
Following these steps helps you avoid accidental loss of important tasks.
Tips for structuring Spaces and Folders in ClickUp
Good structure in ClickUp reduces confusion and speeds up onboarding for new team members.
- Create Spaces for broad areas, then use Folders for logical categories within each Space.
- Keep Folder names short and descriptive, using consistent patterns like client names or quarters.
- Avoid creating more Folders than you need. Too many layers can slow navigation.
- Use Lists for specific projects, workflows, or pipelines under each Folder.
Review your structure regularly and adjust Folders as your organization evolves.
Where to learn more about ClickUp Folders
You can explore the official documentation for Folders and hierarchy features directly from the source.
- Official help section on Folders in ClickUp: ClickUp Folders support
- Additional consulting and optimization resources: Consultevo
Use these resources along with this guide to design a clear, scalable Folder structure that supports every project in your Workspace.
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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