TL;DR: You can create subtasks (subitems) in Wrike from Item view, Table view, or by highlighting text in a task description.
Hey Community! 👋
If you're new to Wrike and wondering how to break a big task into smaller pieces, subtasks or subitems are exactly what you need. Let's walk through the different ways to create them.
What Is a Subtask in Wrike?
A subtask is a smaller task that lives underneath a parent task. It helps you split work into manageable steps, assign pieces to different people, and track progress at a more detailed level.
📝 Quick Note: In the Wrike interface, you'll see the word "subitem" or "item" on buttons and menus instead of "subtask." Subitems is a broader term used for any item nested under a parent (tasks, projects, or folders). And there is no limit to how many levels deep you can nest.
Create a Subtask From Item View
This is the most common way to add a subtask.
- Open the parent task where you want to add a subtask.
- Click the Add subitem button below the Status field.
- If subitems already exist, click + Item at the bottom of the subitem list instead.
- Type a name for your subtask.
- Press Enter on your keyboard.
Your subtask is created instantly. Click on it to open it and add details like assignees, due dates, or a description.
Table view gives you a few options to add subtasks:
Drag and drop:
- Open the folder or project containing your tasks and switch to Table view.
- Click and hold the drag icon to the left of the task you want to turn into a subtask.
- Drag it on top of the task that should become the parent. You will see blue lines appear around the parent task.
- Release your mouse.
Right-click menu:
- Right-click on the task that should become the parent.
- Select Add subitem.
- Type the name of a new subtask, or paste the permalink of an existing task.
- Press Enter.
Three-dot menu:
- Click the three-dot button next to a task's title in Table view.
- Select Add subitem.
- Enter a name or permalink
- Press Enter.
If you have a list of action items written in a task's description, you can turn them into subtasks without retyping anything.
- Highlight the lines of text you want to convert.
- Click the Create subitems icon that appears to the left of the highlighted text.
- Each line becomes a separate subtask.
Real-World Example
Imagine you have a task called "Plan Team Offsite." You could add subtasks like:
Subtask | Assignee |
|---|
Book venue | Sarah |
Send invitations | Raj |
Arrange catering | Priya |
Prepare agenda | You |
Each person can update their own subtask's status without affecting the others. When you mark the parent task as complete, Wrike will ask if you want to mark all subtasks as complete too.
Good to Know
- Who can create subtasks? All users except collaborators, contributors, and viewers.
- No nesting limit: You can create subtasks within subtasks as many levels deep as you need.
- Subtask location: Subtasks inherit their location from the parent task. You will see a grayed-out folder tag (called a "ghost tag") on the subtask showing where the parent lives. This tag cannot be removed directly from the subtask.
- Converting an existing task: You can turn any existing task into a subtask by typing its name or pasting its permalink into the Add subitem field. The same subtask can even be added to multiple parent tasks.
- Completing a parent task: When you mark a parent task as complete, a popup asks if you also want to complete all its subtasks.
- AI option: On supported plans, Wrike's AI can scan a task description and automatically suggest actionable items to create as subtasks. Check the AI Subitem Creation article for details.
Learn More
For the full walkthrough with screenshots, head over to the Wrike Help Center:
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If you're just getting started, you might also find these helpful:
Over to You
What's the most complex task you've broken down using subtasks? Did it change how your team tracked progress? We'd love to hear your story! 💬
