Manage Subtasks from Tasks in ClickUp
In ClickUp, you can quickly manage subtasks directly from a parent task to keep work organized, aligned, and easy to track across your Workspace.
This guide explains how to work with subtasks inside a task view, change their layout, and customize what you see so you can manage task hierarchies more efficiently.
Overview of Subtasks in ClickUp
Subtasks are smaller action items connected to a parent task. They help you break complex work into manageable pieces while maintaining a clear structure in ClickUp.
From a parent task, you can:
- Create new subtasks
- View and filter existing subtasks
- Edit fields like assignee, status, and due date
- Open any subtask in detail view
All of this happens from one place, so you do not need to navigate away from the parent task just to manage related work.
Open and View Subtasks in ClickUp Tasks
Whenever a task contains subtasks, you can access them from a dedicated section inside the task view.
Steps to Access Subtasks
- Open a task that already has at least one subtask.
- Scroll to the Subtasks section in the task sidebar or center pane.
- Expand the subtasks list if it is collapsed.
Once expanded, you will see a list of subtasks that belong to that parent task, along with key details like status and assignee, depending on your selected layout.
Change the Subtasks Layout in ClickUp
You can switch how subtasks are displayed inside a task to match your personal workflow in ClickUp.
Available Subtasks Views
Within the task view, subtasks can typically be shown in a compact list or with more detailed columns. The exact options depend on current product updates, but the core actions remain similar:
- List-style layout: Shows subtasks in rows.
- Detail-rich layout: Adds visible columns for fields like assignee, due date, or status.
How to Change the Layout
- Open the task containing subtasks.
- Locate the Subtasks section.
- Look for a layout or view icon (often near the top right of the subtasks section).
- Select your preferred layout from the options provided.
The selected layout will apply to how you view subtasks in that task, giving you more or less detail based on your needs.
Create New Subtasks from ClickUp Tasks
You can add new subtasks straight from the parent task, which helps you capture related work without leaving the current context.
Steps to Create a Subtask
- Open the relevant parent task.
- Scroll to the Subtasks section.
- Click the option such as + Add subtask or similar button shown in your interface.
- Enter the subtask name.
- Press Enter or click Create to save.
After creation, you can immediately assign the new subtask, set a status, or open it in a full task view to configure more details.
Manage Subtasks Fields Inside ClickUp Tasks
From the parent task, you can adjust key properties of each subtask without opening them individually in ClickUp.
Edit Subtask Details Inline
Depending on your layout, you can usually change the following directly from the subtasks list:
- Status: Move a subtask through your workflow by updating its status.
- Assignee: Assign or reassign owners to each subtask.
- Due date: Set or edit deadlines so each subtask has a clear timeline.
- Priority: Mark critical subtasks so they stand out.
To edit a field, click the specific area for that subtask (for example, the assignee or status chip) and select the new value.
Open a Subtask in Full View
- From the subtasks list, click the name of the subtask.
- The subtask opens in its own detailed task view.
- From here, you can add descriptions, comments, attachments, and custom field values.
Any updates you make in the subtask are automatically reflected back in the parent task’s subtasks section.
Customize What You See for Subtasks in ClickUp
You can usually customize which fields are visible when you view subtasks from the parent task in ClickUp, making it easier to focus on the data you care about most.
Show or Hide Subtask Fields
- Open a task with subtasks.
- Go to the Subtasks section.
- Look for a Columns or Customize icon in the subtasks header.
- Check or uncheck the fields you want to display, such as assignee, due date, priority, or custom fields.
This customization gives you a tailored view of subtasks so that your task pane in ClickUp stays clean and relevant.
Filter and Sort Subtasks from ClickUp Tasks
To stay organized, you can filter or sort subtasks when viewing them from a parent task in ClickUp, depending on the options enabled in your Workspace.
Sorting Subtasks
Common sort options include:
- Sort by status to see what is open or completed.
- Sort by due date to prioritize upcoming deadlines.
- Sort by assignee to group subtasks by owner.
Click the header of the column you want to sort by, or use a sort menu if provided in the subtasks section.
Filtering Subtasks
Filtering lets you narrow down which subtasks you see, such as only active items. Use the filter control, if available, to choose criteria like:
- Show only open subtasks
- Show only subtasks assigned to you
- Show subtasks within a certain date range
These tools keep your view focused while still managing everything from a single parent task in ClickUp.
Use Subtasks Effectively in Your ClickUp Workflow
Working with subtasks from the parent task helps you keep related work together and avoid losing track of smaller action items inside ClickUp.
- Plan large tasks as high-level goals.
- Create subtasks for each specific action needed to complete the goal.
- Regularly review and update subtasks right from the parent task.
- Use custom fields and filters to highlight priority work.
For teams looking to refine their overall Workspace strategy beyond a single task, you can explore consulting resources such as Consultevo to improve your productivity systems.
Learn More About Subtasks in ClickUp
For the most accurate, up-to-date information about working with subtasks from tasks, including any new layout or field options, review the official documentation here: Work with subtasks from tasks.
By using these options effectively, you can manage subtasks from tasks in ClickUp with less friction, better visibility, and a more streamlined workflow for you and your team.
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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