--- title: Create Task workflow activity description: The Create Task activity generates a record on any of the tables that extend Task \[task\]. locale: en-US canonical_url: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/australia/build-workflows/workflow-activities/r\_CreateTask.html release: australia product: Workflow Activities classification: workflow-activities topic_type: reference last_updated: "2026-03-12" reading_time_minutes: 5 breadcrumb: [Task workflow activities, Workflow activities reference, Workflow activities, Classic Workflow, Build workflows] --- # Create Task workflow activity The **Create Task** activity generates a record on any of the tables that extend Task \[task\]. **Note:** This activity is only available when the workflow runs on a table that extends Task. If the **Wait for completion** check box is selected, the workflow context waits for a user action on the task, such as Complete or Incomplete, and then progresses based on the user action. **Note:** Task activities run as the user whose actions complete the task the workflow was waiting for and advances the workflow. ## Results You can assign a result value using `activity.result` from within a script field of the activity. By default, the final **State** value of the task record determines the result value for the **Create Task** activity. Possible result values are: - Closed complete - Closed incomplete - Closed skipped - Deleted - Cancelled ## Input variables The following variables determine the behavior of the activity.
Field Description
Create Task Activity SettingsThe following fields specify the behavior of the Create Task Activity.
Task type The type of task to create. Select from the corresponding task table for the workflow.
Priority The default priority assigned to the task. If you also set the Task priority in the **Task values from** section, the Task value overrides the default priority.
Wait for completion If selected, the workflow activity waits for the task to complete before continuing. If cleared, the task is created but the workflow proceeds.
Create Task Record Settings The following fields specify the field values that this activity sets for the task it creates.
Task values from The values used to create the task may either come from:- **Fields:** a predefined set of fields including **Fulfillment group**, **Assigned to**, **Short description** and **Instructions**. - **Template:** an existing template for the selected task table. - **Values:** values that you specify using a Set Values widget. **Note:** Any Task priority you set here overrides the default priority set by the **Priority** field.
Fulfillment groupOnly appears when **Task value from** is set to `Fields` The group that is responsible for completing the task. Populates the **Assignment group** field on the new task.
Assigned toOnly appears when **Task value from** is set to `Fields` The user who is responsible for completing the task. Populates the **Assignment to** field on the new task.
Short descriptionOnly appears when **Task value from** is set to `Fields` A short description for the task. Populates the **Short description** field on the new task.
InstructionsOnly appears when **Task value from** is set to `Fields` The task instructions for the user to complete prior to closing the task. Populates the **Description** field on the new task.
Task templateOnly appears when **Task values from** is set to **Template**. A template that is used to fill in values for the task.
Set valuesOnly appears when **Task values from** is set to **Values**. A widget that is used to specify values for any fields of the task.
Advanced
Advanced Check **Advanced** if you want to use a script to assign values on the catalog task. When you check **Advanced,** a text box appears where you can enter your script.
Advanced Script Only appears when the **Advanced** field is checked. Set additional values for the task in this script. This script is run after the task values are set using the **Fields**, **Template** or **Values** you have specified. Use the variable *task* when setting additional values, for example: `task.short_description = current.short_description;`
Task Schedule
Due date based on Select how workflow determines the task's duration, due date, and schedule. - **A user specified duration:** The duration is based on a user specified value. - **A relative duration:** The duration is calculated from a relative duration \(such as End of Next Business Day\). - **A date/time or duration field:** The duration is based on the value of a field on the current record. - **Script:** The duration is returned by a script.
Duration Only appears when **Due date based on** is set to `A user specified duration` The specific number of days and hours.
Relative durationOnly appears when **Due date based on** is set to `A relative duration` The general number and length of business days.
Due date fieldOnly appears when **Due date based on** is set to `A date/time or duration field` The date/time or duration field.
Due date scriptOnly appears when **Due date based on** is set to `Script` The script that sets 'answer' to the number of seconds for the duration.
Schedule based on The basic schedule the timer uses to count working hours. If a schedule is specified, the duration will only be considered for times that are specified on the schedule. For example, if the duration is 2 hours and the workflow begins at 4:00pm on a schedule that is 8am - 5pm, then it ends at 9:00am the next day. The options are: - **This workflow's schedule:** The schedule uses workflow context date, time, and an optional **Time zone based on** value. - **A specific schedule:** The schedule uses a pre-defined **Schedule** and an optional **Time zone based on** value. - **A schedule field:** The schedule uses a value from a table and an optional **Time zone based on** value.
ScheduleOnly appears when **Schedule based on** is set to `A specific schedule` The predefined **Schedule** from a list.
Schedule fieldOnly appears when **Schedule based on** is set to `A schedule field`. A date and time or duration field for the schedule, that is associated with the table. Valid fields appear in blue on the Select the element from a tree dialog.
Time zone based on The time zone for calculating the duration. The time zone may be based on:- **No time zone:** Default. Workflow uses the GMT time zone. - **A specific time zone:** A specific **Time zone** that you choose from a choice list. - **A time zone field:** A **Time zone field** to track time duration from a field on the form.
Time zoneOnly appears when **Time zone based on** is set to `A specific time zone` . Select the time zone you want from the choice list.
Time zone fieldOnly appears when **Time zone based on** is set to `A time zone field.` A date and time or duration field for the schedule, that is associated with the table. Valid fields appear in blue on the Select the element from a tree dialog.
## States The activity state tells the workflow engine what to do with the activity. |State|Description| |-----|-----------| |Executing|The workflow engine knows to start the onExecute function of the activity.| |Waiting|The workflow engine ignores the activity until a specific event to restart the activity is fired.| |Finished|The activity finished running. See the result value for the outcome of the activity.| |Cancelled|This activity, or the workflow that contains this activity, was canceled.| |Error|A JavaScript error occurred. Review the logs for error details.| **Parent Topic:**[Task workflow activities](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/build-workflows/workflow-activities/r_TaskActivities.md)