---
sourceDocument: Australia ServiceNow AI Platform Administration
sourceDocumentLink: https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/r/platform-administration

 Release :

    - australia

ft:locale :

    - en-US

ft:publication_title :

    - Australia ServiceNow AI Platform Administration

ft:clusterId :

    - platadm

bundleId :

    - platadm

workflow :

    - Platform


---

# Working with Task table

# Working with the Task table {#ariaid-title1}

Release version: Australia  
Updated March 12, 2026  
![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 2 minutes to read
Summarize  
![AI sparkle icon](https://servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ai-sparkle-icon) Summarized using AI  
This content was generated using new OpenAI-powered functionality. Results are provided on an as is basis and are not guaranteed to be accurate or complete.  

## Summary of Working with the Task table

The Tasks \[task\] table is a fundamental component of the ServiceNow system, providing standard fields utilized by various extended tables like Incident \[incident\] and Problem \[problem\].
It facilitates task creation, completion, and workflow management through child tables, enhancing task-specific functionality.
Show full answer Show less  

## Key Features

* **Task Creation:** Tasks are not created directly on the Tasks table but on its child tables. Access the Tasks table via `task.list` in the navigation filter to create new tasks.
* **Approval Management:** Approvals can be generated manually or automatically based on rules, applicable to both task and non-task tables.
* **Assignment Rules:** Automated assignment of tasks to users or groups ensures efficient task management.
* **Service Level Agreements (SLAs):** Track task duration to ensure timely completions.
* **Inactivity Monitors:** Notifications are sent for tasks that have not been updated within a set timeframe.
* **Workflow Automation:** Use Workflow Studio to create automated processes triggered by task conditions.
* **Field Modifications:** Changes to the Tasks table affect all child tables, with careful consideration needed for field additions or deletions.
* **Task Relationships:** Establish parent/child relationships between tasks for better organization, such as linking Problems to related Incidents.
* **Time Card Management:** Allows task assignees to report and track time spent on tasks.

## Key Outcomes

Utilizing the Tasks table and its features enables ServiceNow customers to streamline task management, enforce SLAs, automate workflows, and enhance collaboration through effective task assignment and approval processes. This results in improved efficiency and accountability within task handling across various teams and projects.  
The Tasks \[task\] table is one of the core tables provided with the base system.

The Tasks \[task\] table provides a series of [standard fields](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/YBBnyfX~Z7Sg6UCnbRkV~g "The Task table is a base class that provides fields for the core ITSM applications such as Incident, Problem, and Change Management. All applications that extend the Task table share these fields in common.") used on each of the tables that extend it, such as the Incident \[incident\] and Problem \[problem\] tables. In addition, any table that extends the Tasks \[task\] table can
take advantage of task-specific functionality for driving tasks.

The Planned Task plugin provides the Planned Task \[planned_task\] table, which extends the Tasks \[task\] table to provide more fields for tasks to measure duration and effort.

## Creating tasks {#c_TaskTable__section_jks_lng_3cc}

The Tasks \[task\] table provides means for creating and completing tasks, as well as tracking their workflow in your instance.

Tasks aren't created directly on the Tasks \[task\] table. Instead, tasks are created on task child tables. To create a record in a task child table, access the Tasks \[task\] table by entering <kbd class="ph userinput">task.list</kbd> in
the navigation filter, and then select New. In the Task Interceptor, select the desired task child table.

## Tools for completing tasks {#c_TaskTable__section_mzc_z4g_3cc}

These tools can be run on any table which extends Task.

* ApprovalsApprovals can be generated to a list of Approvers, either manually or automatically, according to Approval Rules. Approvals can be incorporated into workflows or can stand alone. For more information, see [Process approvals](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=c_ProcessApprovals&version=australia&pubname=australia-build-workflows&ft:locale=en-US).

  Approvals can be used on tables that do not extend Task.
* AssignmentsAssignment rules can automatically assign tasks to users or groups, ensuring that the most appropriate team members handle the tasks. For more information, see [Defining Assignment Rules](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/4dviB4oRl0EySEfxTyMepg "The instance can automatically assign a task to a user or group based on pre-defined conditions by using data lookup rules and assignment rules.").

* Service levelsService level agreements can track the amount of time that a task has been open, to ensure that tasks are completed within an allotted time.

* Inactivity monitorsInactivity monitors ensure that tasks do not fall by the wayside by notifying users when tasks have been untouched for a predefined period of time. For more information, see [Set an inactivity monitor](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/IHISbFRk5X_8SGWuqjic5w "You can set an inactivity monitor that triggers an event for a task record when the task has been inactive for a certain amount of time.").

* Workflow Studio

  A process owner can design a flow for tasks that meet certain conditions. After a task is created that meets the conditions, the flow applies an automated process to the task. The process is
  defined in Workflow Studio. For more information, see [Flow Designer](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/access?context=flow-designer&version=australia&pubname=australia-application-development&ft:locale=en-US).
{#c_TaskTable__ul_fpn_mwz_xp}

## Modifying the Task table {#c_TaskTable__section_um2_1rf_3cc}

Modifications made to the Tasks \[task} table are applied to all child tables.

Be sure that changes are appropriate for all the child tables. Adding fields is a low-impact change, because you can hide fields on tables that don't need them. However, if the fields are being used across tables, deleting
fields may cause unwanted data loss.  
Note:  
When adding choice list entries to a choice list on the Tasks \[task\] table, make sure that the entry value is unique.

You can use [dictionary overrides](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/FKA03S1SgteS6~uIKt6o1Q "Dictionary overrides provide the ability to define a field on an extended table differently from the field on the parent table.") to change some parts of a field definition in a way that does not to not apply to all child tables.

## Tasks workflow {#c_TaskTable__section_gdl_p5f_3cc}

An administrator can specify a specific workflow process to apply to tasks that meet certain conditions.

Once a task is created that meets the conditions, the workflow applies the process to the task, asking for approvals, notifying users, generating other tasks, running scripts, and so on.
* **[Task table structure](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/g9g~H8EXsK7LwEmLOd5Usw)**   
  The Task table structure provides a framework to organize and store task-related data, and includes extensive customization options.
* **[Defining assignment rules](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/4dviB4oRl0EySEfxTyMepg)**   
  The instance can automatically assign a task to a user or group based on pre-defined conditions by using data lookup rules and assignment rules.
* **[Extending the Task table with Planned tasks](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/efTxqN2f9~6kV2CuA406mg)**   
  The Planned Task plugin provides a Planned Task `[planned_task]` table that extends the Task `[task]` table.
* **[Creating many-to-many task relations](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/DUqlnmCn3KEnmXnVXEkusQ)**   
  By default, tasks can be related to each other using a parent/child relationship, such as a Problem with a group of child Incidents or a Catalog Request with a group of child Catalog Tasks.
* **[Time Card Management](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/cY75a5KZwU5ICyYV6NlC9A)**   
  The Time Card Management feature enables time card users such as task assignees to report and track their time for the assigned tasks.