--- title: Working with the Task table description: The Tasks \[task\] table is one of the core tables provided with the base system. locale: en-US canonical_url: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/australia/platform-administration/table-administration-and-data-management/c\_TaskTable.html release: australia product: Table Administration and Data Management classification: table-administration-and-data-management topic_type: concept last_updated: "2026-03-12" reading_time_minutes: 3 breadcrumb: [Table admin, Tables and data, Configure core features, Administer the ServiceNow AI Platform] --- # Working with the Task table 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://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/platform-administration/table-administration-and-data-management/r_ImportantTaskTableFields.md) 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 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 `task.list` in the navigation filter, and then select **New**. In the Task Interceptor, select the desired task child table. ## Tools for completing tasks These tools can be run on any table which extends Task. - Approvals Approvals 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://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/build-workflows/c_ProcessApprovals.md). Approvals can be used on tables that do not extend Task. - Assignments Assignment 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://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/platform-administration/table-administration-and-data-management/c_DefineAssignmentRules.md). - Service levels Service 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 monitors Inactivity 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://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/platform-administration/time-configuration/t_SetAnInactivityMonitor.md). - 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://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/application-development/flow-designer.md). ## Modifying the Task table 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://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/platform-administration/table-administration-and-data-management/c_DictionaryOverrides.md) to change some parts of a field definition in a way that does not to not apply to all child tables. ## Tasks workflow 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://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/platform-administration/table-administration-and-data-management/task-table-structure.md)** The Task table structure provides a framework to organize and store task-related data, and includes extensive customization options. - **[Defining assignment rules](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/platform-administration/table-administration-and-data-management/c_DefineAssignmentRules.md)** 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://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/platform-administration/table-administration-and-data-management/c_PlannedTask.md)** The Planned Task plugin provides a Planned Task `[planned_task]` table that extends the Task `[task]` table. - **[Creating many-to-many task relations](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/platform-administration/table-administration-and-data-management/c_ManyToManyTaskRelations.md)** 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://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/platform-administration/table-administration-and-data-management/time-card-management.md)** The Time Card Management feature enables time card users such as task assignees to report and track their time for the assigned tasks. **Parent Topic:**[ServiceNow AI Platform tables and data](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/platform-administration/table-administration-and-data-management/tables-fields-and-forms.md)