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EricSa7
Level 2
December 18, 2024
Solved

Default task value based on parent task

  • December 18, 2024
  • 2 replies
  • 787 views

Hi all,

We have a complex WBS. In this WBS, there is a parent task called 'Custom'. It has many subtasks, and many of them also have subtasks. If we have no 'Custom' in the project, we close down the tasks. If we have more than one, we will copy the parent item and all its subtasks so that we can track and schedule each custom individually. Each 'Custom' has a unique ID, and on tasks, we have a field called "Custom ID". We want to enter the ID on the parent field and have this populate to all subtasks under the parent. 

Can this be done?

Best answer by Doug_Den_Hoed_AtAppStore

EricSa7,

I don't have a great answer. I tried this in my environment with a custom form and field called Custom ID.  If you input data into that field, its unique for each task, meaning you can input something at Parent Task 1 and a different number at Parent Task even though its the same custom field, which is great for the Parent items but not what's needed for children.  I would then use a Fusion scenario to copy the number from the Parent items to their appropriate children when those Parent fields have data. Someone else in community may have a different experience.


 

Hi @ericsa7 and @kurt_jones,

 

After some time in the Thinking Chair, I'm delighted to report that I now do have a (potentially) great answer, which I invite you to consider.

 

Regards,

Doug

2 replies

Kurt_Jones
Community Advisor
Kurt_JonesCommunity Advisor
Community Advisor
December 18, 2024

EricSa7,

I'm not sure I'm fully understanding your ask but sounds like you have a custom form with custom fields attached to these Parent task (Custom), tasks, and subtasks.  You select the Parent and copy it and all its subs when you need more Custom items in your project, or delete that Custom if not needed.  Even if you have the same custom form on each of these tasks with the same custom fields on them the system treats the data uniquely as each task has a unique ID.  If you have Fusion its possible to create an automation that could do this type of populating.

    E
    EricSa7Author
    Level 2
    December 18, 2024

    Hi Kurt,

    Thanks for replying. 

    To help ensure we both understand what I am asking for, I have created a diagram that I hope will do just that. 

    In this example, I have two custom WBS. The first is for CustomID 5055, which I entered into a custom field on the tasks. It has auto-copied down to the subtasks. I then did the same for the second custom 5089.

    We do have fusion. Is there any documentation you can point me to that will assist in creating a function to do this?

    Thanks, 

    Kurt_Jones
    Community Advisor
    Kurt_JonesCommunity Advisor
    Community Advisor
    December 19, 2024

    EricSa7,

    I don't have a great answer. I tried this in my environment with a custom form and field called Custom ID.  If you input data into that field, its unique for each task, meaning you can input something at Parent Task 1 and a different number at Parent Task even though its the same custom field, which is great for the Parent items but not what's needed for children.  I would then use a Fusion scenario to copy the number from the Parent items to their appropriate children when those Parent fields have data. Someone else in community may have a different experience.

    KellieGardner
    Community Advisor
    KellieGardnerCommunity Advisor
    Community Advisor
    January 2, 2025

    I have 2 solutions depending on the purpose:

     

    1. If this is for reporting purposes, you could just modify your reporting to pull in the custom value of the parent object into reporting instead of the individual task. 
    2. If you need the value to live on each object for other purposes, you could create a calculated field on the custom form that would capture the value of the parent task ID once it's input and have it populated automatically onto the custom form of the children.
      1. For this you'd have to create 2 fields: one where it can be manually input (for the parent task) and then one that is a calculated field to capture the parent task value. 

     

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