Tasks and dependencies

Sub-items allow you to break tasks into smaller, distinct pieces of work, so that they can be easily scoped out, assigned, and tracked. They are visible in the Table view of a database.

1. Navigate to the ••• menu at the top right-hand corner of a Notion database in Table view. Click on Sub-items.

2. Rename the Parent and Sub-item fields as needed. These will appear as properties in your table. Click Create.

   

3. Click the grey toggle that now appears on hover next to table items. Click + New sub-item to add a sub-item.

4. You can also drag existing items to nest them under others!

   

You can change the displayed item (either parent items or sub-items):

1. Navigate to the ••• menu at the top right-hand corner of a Notion database in Table view. Click on Sub-items.

2. Click Property and select the item type you'd want to be nested in your table.

To stop enabling sub-items in general:

1. Navigate to the ••• menu at the top right-hand corner of a Notion database in Table view.

2. Click on Sub-items and click Remove.

Adding a dependency lets you connect tasks to each other in a linear way. Use a dependency when you want to communicate related tasks to your team.

• In a database’s Timeline view, hover over any database task, you'll see a gray circle appear on the right side. Click or drag on that arrow to connect it to another task.

  • Alternatively, you can go to the ••• in the right-hand corner of the database and click on Dependencies.

• You’ll be prompted to select an existing relation or Create new relation.

• With a new relation, rename the Blocking and Blocked by properties.

Some things don't go quite as planned. You can automatically change the dates on dependencies when there is conflict or changes.

• Click on ••• in the right-hand corner of the database and click on Dependencies.

• Select one of these options:

  • Shift & maintain time between tasks: If task A is blocking task B and the due date of task A is shifted forward one week, the due date of B will also shift forward one week.

  • Shift only when dates overlap: Tasks will only be shifted when their dates start to overlap. The distance between tasks may still be decreased.

  • Do not automatically shift: Due dates are never automatically shifted.