Notion: How to Add Subtasks

If you’re working on a large project in Notion, you might need to break information into smaller, more manageable pieces. That’s where subtasks come in. This function helps you streamline your tasks, making you more efficient and productive. This guide will explain how to set up and use subtasks in Notion.

Using Subtasks in Your Notion Task Database

Let’s start by giving an example. Say you want to write a blog about the top ways to lose weight. You’ll start by creating a parent task. Next, you can create sub-tasks to help you complete the project.

This is how it might look:

• • Subtask 1: Research

• Subtask 2: Outline
• Subtask 3: Draft
• Subtask 4: Edit
• Subtask 5: Review
• Subtask 6: Publish
• Subtask 7: Promote through social media and/or other channels.

Some of these subtasks may have related subtasks. For instance, consider whether the blog follows SEO best practices during the review process. That might include reviewing keywords, links, meta descriptions, appropriate images, etc. 

Make sure to consider everything, no matter how small, to ensure all the steps are included. Let’s move on to how we might create a sub-item in Notion.

How to Add Subtasks in Notion

If you want to add subtasks to your Notion database, you’ll be pleased to learn that it’s a relatively straightforward process. Here’s how it’s done:

1. Click on the three horizontal dots icon.
2. Select Sub-items in the top-right of the screen.
   
3. All tasks can have sub-tasks. If any of these require additional sub-tasks, you can do that.
4. To add subtasks to an item, hover over the task.
5. Click on the drop-down menu that appears, and add the desired sub-tasks.
   

How To Use Dependencies in Notion Timeline

Also worth mentioning here is how to use dependencies. You can use dependencies in Notion if one task depends on another to complete the project. So take our blog example; you can only publish if you have reviewed and edited correctly.

1. Click on the three horizontal dots icon.
   
2. Then click on Dependencies.
3. You’ll be asked to create a relation if none exists in the database. A self-relation is, by default, called a dependency.
   
4. Choose if you want to show dependencies by parent or sub-task. Then click on Create New Relation.

Once you do that, Notion has a neat function allowing you to see the dependencies in a timeline view. The user can visualize what needs completing before moving on.

It works similarly to how sub-items do but is helpful in visually mapping out what needs to be done by showing directional arrows. This way, you can see any potential roadblocks early, so the project stays on course. Sub-tasks are equally important when you create to-do lists in Notion.

How to View Subtasks and Dependencies on a Page in Notion

If you want to see the subtasks and dependencies on a page, you only have to choose to show Sub-items as a page section.

• The Options menu will show how all the pieces of your tasks and projects connect.
• Select what you want to display (due date, etc.), and then the page will appear.

When the sub-tasks appear as a separate page, adding new tasks you may see fit might make it easier.

Using Subtasks in Notion

If you’re working on a large project in Notion, breaking it down into smaller parts or subtasks can help you manage it. This process also enables you to identify who you must collaborate with to move the project to a successful conclusion. 

Apart from subtasks, you should check out the best Notion widgets to boost your productivity. 

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