Automation Series: Auto-create Dependent Task on Status Change

In Zoho Projects, you can automatically create and assign a dependent task when a task’s status is updated. This helps teams stay aligned, ensures reviews happen on time, and reduces manual effort.

In this post, we’ll walk through an easy setup using a Custom Function scripted in Deluge.

Use-case

In a scenario where an auditor schedules a task that requires a compliance review, once the task status is updated from Scheduled, a Dependent task is automatically created and assigned to the Compliance team. All related attachments are carried forward, ensuring the auditors and reviewers have full overview and can proceed without manual coordination.

To configure this flow,

1. Navigate to the upper-right corner of the page and click  → Developer Space → Connections → Create Connection using the following scopes:

1. ZohoProjects.portals.READ
   
2. ZohoProjects.portals.ALL
   
3. ZohoProjects.projects.READ
   
4. ZohoProjects.tasks.CREATE
   
5. ZohoProjects.tasks.UPDATE
   
6. ZohoProjects.tasks.READ
   
7. WorkDrive.workspace.ALL
   
8. WorkDrive.files.ALL
   
9. ZohoProjects.documents.READ
   
10. ZohoProjects.documents.CREATE
    

2. Navigate to  → Developer Space → Custom Functions. Under the Task tab, create a new custom function and add the following Deluge script.

Ensure that the portal URL aligns with your data centre. If not, the function may not execute as expected. Also, make sure the specified team is associated with the project; otherwise, the task assignment will fail.

1. // TODO : Replace Dependency Type here with "FS, SS, SF, FF"
2. // scopes: ZohoProjects.portals.READ, ZohoProjects.portals.CREATE, ZohoProjects.projects.READ, ZohoProjects.tasks.CREATE, ZohoProjects.tasks.UPDATE, ZohoProjects.tasks.READ, WorkDrive.workspace.ALL, WorkDrive.files.ALL, ZohoProjects.documents.READ, ZohoProjects.documents.CREATE.
3. // get team id
4. endPoint = "https://projects.zoho.in/restapi/portal/";
5. endPointV3 = "https://projects.zoho.in/api/v3/portal/";
6. getTaskStatusTimeline = invokeurl
7. [
8. url :endPointV3 + portalId + "/projects/" + projectId + "/tasks/" + taskId + "/status-timeline"
9. type :GET
10. connection:"connectionprojects"
11. ];
12. size = getTaskStatusTimeline.size() - 1;
13. oldStatusName = getTaskStatusTimeline.get(size).get("previous_status").get("name");
14. if(oldStatusName.containsIgnoreCase("Scheduled"))
15. {
16. teamName = "Compliance Team";
17. userGroupsResponse = invokeurl
18. [
19. url :endPoint + portalId + "/projects/" + projectId + "/usergroups/"
20. type :GET
21. connection:"connectionprojects"
22. ];
23. teams = userGroupsResponse.get("userGroups");
24. for each team in teams
25. {
26. if(team.get("groupObj").get("group_name").containsIgnoreCase(teamName))
27. {
28. teamId = team.get("groupObj").get("group_id");
29. }
30. }
31. teamIds = List();
32. teamIds.add(teamId);
33. dependencyType = "FS";
34. //Create Tasks parameters
35. values_map = Map();
36. values_map.put("name","Compliance Audit Verification");
37. values_map.put("description"," Review task created for the Security and Compliance team to validate requirements, assess risks, and confirm adherence to defined standards. Attachments from the originating task are included for reference.");
38. values_map.put("associated_teams",teamIds);
39. //Invoke Create Task
40. createTaskResponse = zoho.projects.create(portalId,projectId,"tasks",values_map,"connectionprojects");
41. // Get TaskId From Task response
42. if(createTaskResponse != null && createTaskResponse.get("tasks") != null)
43. {
44. taskInfo = createTaskResponse.get("tasks").get(0);
45. newTaskId = taskInfo.get("id_string");
46. // copy attachments to new task
47. getAttachmentsResponse = invokeurl
48. [
49. url :endPointV3 + portalId + "/projects/" + projectId + "/attachments?entity_type=task&entity_id=" + taskId
50. type :GET
51. connection:"connectionprojects"
52. ];
53. if(getAttachmentsResponse.get("attachment").size() > 0)
54. {
55. taskAttachments = getAttachmentsResponse.get("attachment");
56. for each attachment in taskAttachments
57. {
58. associateParam = Map();
59. associateParam.put("entity_type","task");
60. associateParam.put("entity_id",newTaskId);
61. associateToTaskComment = invokeurl
62. [
63. url :endPointV3 + portalId + "/projects/" + projectId + "/attachments/" + attachment.get("attachment_id")
64. type :POST
65. parameters:associateParam
66. connection:"connectionprojects"
67. ];
68. }
69. }
70. //Add Dependancy Between Tasks Parameter
71. dependencyParam = Map();
72. dependencyParam.put("taskid",newTaskId);
73. dependencyParam.put("predids",taskId);
74. dependencyParam.put("projId",projectId);
75. dependencyParam.put("toupdate","dependencyset");
76. dependencyParam.put("childprojId",projectId);
77. dependencyParam.put("dependencytype",dependencyType);
78. // invoke task dependency Api
79. dependency = invokeurl
80. [
81. url :endPoint + portalId + "/projects/" + projectId + "/taskdependency/"
82. type :POST
83. parameters:dependencyParam
84. connection:"connectionprojects"
85. ];
86. info dependency;
87. info "-------------------------------------";
88. }
89. }
90. return "success";

Customise the task name and description in lines 36 and 37 as needed, then save the function.

Replace "connectionprojects" with your Zoho Projects connection name in lines 10, 21, 51, and 84 of the deluge.

3. Add the below arguments during configuration.

After mapping the arguments, save the function and enter the Task ID when prompted. This custom function will execute automatically whenever an issue status changes from Scheduled, creating the dependent task as defined in the workflow rule.

4. After saving the custom function, Navigate to  → Automation → Workflow Rules → Projects Tab → New Workflow Rule with the below settings.

5. Configure the workflow to trigger Based on User Action when a task is Updated, and associate the custom function to execute automatically on the status change.

With this automation in place, tasks are triggered automatically, dependencies are assigned, and supporting attachments are transferred ensuring hand-offs without manual effort.

If you have any questions, feel free to drop a comment below or reach out to us at support@zohoprojects.com.

• Topic Participants

• Ritula S

  

• Sticky Posts

• CodeX Scripts for Enforcing Custom Project Logic

  Every organization has a defined way of executing projects. There are clear expectations around how tasks should move, when projects should progress, and which actions require validation. When these rules are consistently followed, projects remain structured

• Automation Series: Auto-create Dependent Task on Status Change

  In Zoho Projects, you can automatically create and assign a dependent task when a task’s status is updated. This helps teams stay aligned, ensures reviews happen on time, and reduces manual effort. In this post, we’ll walk through an easy setup using

• Time Log Reminder

  Tracking the time spent on tasks and issues is one of the most important functions of a timesheet. However, users may forget to update the time logs because they have their own goals to achieve. But, time logs must be updated at regular intervals to keep

• Introducing the Zoho Projects Learning Space

  Every product has its learning curve, and sometimes having a guided path makes the learning experience smoother. With that goal, we introduce a dedicated learning space for Zoho Projects, a platform where you can explore lessons, learn at your own pace,

• Update on V2 API End-of-Life Timeline

  Dear Users, Earlier this year, we shared the launch of the V3 APIs and requested users to migrate from the older V2 APIs by December 2025. We have received valuable feedback from our users and partners regarding their migration timelines. We are happy

• Recent Topics

• Is Zoho Sites still actively being developed?

  Hello, Is Zoho Sites still actively being developed as part of the Zoho ecosystem? I noticed that the What's New page (https://www.zoho.com/sites/whats-new.html) does not show any updates since Q1 2025. We were considering migrating our website from Squarespace

• Set expiration date on document and send reminder

  We have many company documents( for example business registration), work VISA documents. It will be nice if we can set a expiry date and set reminders ( for example 90 days, 60 days, 30 days etc.,) Does Zoho workdrive provide that option?

• Depositing funds to account

  Hello, I have been using Quickbooks for many years but am considering moving to Zoho Books so I am currently running through various workflows and am working on the Invoicing aspect. In QB, the process is to create an invoice, receive payment and then

• Debit opening balances of vendors

  Dear colleagues: I am looking at the trial balance as on 31st March 2024, and punching opening balances (1st April 2024) in Zoho Books. Vendors have credit balances, by its nature, but some of our vendors have debit balances as well (e.g., we have paid

• Zoho Books emails suddenly going to Spam since 11 Nov 2025 (Gmail + now Outlook) — anyone else?

  Hi everyone, We migrated to Zoho Books in July 2025 and everything worked fine until 11 Nov 2025. Since then, Zoho Books system emails are landing in customers’ Spam (first Gmail, and now we’re seeing Outlook/Office 365 also starting to spam them). Impacted

• Client Portal ZOHO ONE

  Dear Zoho one is fantastic option for companies but it seems to me that it is still an aggregation of aps let me explain I have zoho books with client portal so client access their invoice then I have zoho project with client portal so they can access their project but not their invoice without another URL another LOGIN Are you planning in creating a beautiful UI portal for client so we can control access to client in one location to multiple aps at least unify project and invoice aps that would

• The Social Wall: February 2026

  Hello everyone, This month, we’re bringing you a mix of exciting toolkit enhancements and a few improvements across the web and iOS app, all designed to make your social media management simpler and smoother. File converter Images come in different formats,

• Zoho Mail and SalesInbox doesn't link to CRM record using Reply-To

  Hi, I've just set up SalesInbox, with the intention of using it for sales enquiries (instead of Desk, which I have been using until now). I've noticed that, unlike Desk, SalesInbox only uses the 'From' email address to attempt to link to a CRM contact

• Service line items

  Hello Latha, Could you please let me know the maximum number of service line items that can be added to a single work order? Thanks, Chethiya.

• Subforms and automation

  If a user updates a field how do we create an automation etc. We have a field for returned parts and i want to get an email when that field is ticked. How please as Zoho tells me no automation on subforms. The Reason- Why having waited for ever for FSM

• Poor Search Results on Zoho CRM

  The search on Zoho CRM is quite poor. Salesforce has now published a new search, when will get this on Zoho? https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=data.c360_a_hybridsearch_index.htm&type=5

• How to use filters on all products page? Or even a category page?

  Hello, I am trying to create some filters so users can use filters to find products they are looking for. So what i am trying is to create a filter according to price lets say. So if i define it this way i am expecting to see this filter option on category

• Capture Last check-in date & days since

  I have two custom fields on my Account form, these are "Date of Last Check-In" and "Days Since Last Contact" Using a custom function how can I pull the date from the last check-in and display it in the field "Date of Last Check-In"? and then also display the number of days since last check-in in the "Days SInce Last Contact" field? I tried following a couple of examples but got myself into a bit of a muddle!

• Pasted Images not being embedded in custom mail

  Hi, I'm making a custom report by email based on commentaries. I have the email ready, all working great except for images that are being pasted in the commentaries. Zoho deals with them as temp images and so it requires authentication to view them, something

• AI Bot and Advanced Automation for WhatsApp

  Most small businesses "live" on WhatsApp, and while Bigin’s current integration is helpful, users need more automation to keep up with volume. We are requesting features based on our customer Feedbacks AI Bot: For auto-replying to FAQs. Keyword Triggers:

• Bigin, more powerful than ever on iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe, and watchOS 26.

  Hot on the heels of Apple’s latest OS updates, we’ve rolled out several enhancements and features designed to help you get the most from your Apple devices. Enjoy a refined user experience with smoother navigation and a more content-focused Liquid Glass

• Select CRM Custom Module in Zoho Creator

  I have a custom module added in Zoho CRM that I would like to link in Zoho creator.  When I add the Zoho CRM field it does not show the new module.  Is this possible?  Do i need to change something in CRM to make it accesible in Creator?

• Zoho CRM Quotes – Subform and PDF/Writer Limitations

  Hello, I am encountering the following limitations in Zoho CRM Quotes: Custom product images cannot be uploaded in the subform – the image upload field cannot be added; only the file upload field is available. File upload placeholders cannot be used in

• Introducing Workqueue: your all-in-one view to manage daily work

  Hello all, We’re excited to introduce a major productivity boost to your CRM experience: Workqueue, a dynamic, all-in-one workspace that brings every important sales activity, approval, and follow-up right to your fingertips. What is Workqueue? Sales

• Archiving Contacts

  How do I archive a list of contacts, or individual contacts?

• Every time an event is updated, all participants receive an update email. How can I deactivate this?

  Every time an event is updated in Zoho CRM (e.g. change description, link to Lead) every participant of this meeting gets an update email. Another customer noticed this problem years ago in the Japanese community: https://help.zoho.com/portal/ja/community/topic/any-time-an-event-is-updated-on-zohocrm-calendar-it-sends-multiple-invites-to-the-participants-how-do-i-stop-that-from-happening

• 3/18 オンライン勉強会のお知らせ Zoho ワークアウト （無料）

  ユーザーの皆さま、こんにちは。コミュニティチームの中野です。 3月開催のZoho ワークアウトの開催が決定しましたのでご案内します。 今回はZoomにて、オンライン開催します。 ▶︎参加登録はこちら（無料） https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/BoNTN7zYR8OvOPGShqBY0A ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ Zoho ワークアウトとは？ Zoho ユーザー同士で交流しながら、サービスに関する疑問や不明点の解消を目指すイベントです。

• Zoho Sheet for Desktop

  Does Zoho plans to develop a Desktop version of Sheet that installs on the computer like was done with Writer?

• Conversion Rate – Won Deals over Assigned Prospects

  Hello, I would like assistance configuring a KPI in Zoho Analytics titled: Objective of the calculation: Number of Won Deals divided by Total number of assigned prospects (not only converted prospects). Important clarification: The denominator must include

• Perfomance Management - Zoho People

  Hi team, I am looking for performance management data such as KRA, goals, feedback, appraisals, etc., in Zoho Analytics. However, I am unable to find these metrics while editing the setup. Could you please confirm whether these fields are available in

• Feature Request – Conditional Visitor Information Request in Zoho SalesIQ

  We would like to request the ability to conditionally ask for visitor details based on the communication channel used in Zoho SalesIQ. Specifically: When a visitor initiates a conversation through the live chat widget on the website, we want to continue

• Apple Messages for Business in Omnichannel communications?

  Hello, Apple launched "Apple Messages for Business" but Zoho CRM or Zoho Desk don't appear in the list of possible integrators. Zoho already promotes https://www.zoho.com/crm/omnichannel.html Omni Channel integration, but Apple Messages does not yet appear.

• Admin asked me for Backend Details when I wanted to verify my ZeptoMail Account

  Please provide the backend details where you will be adding the SMTP/API information of ZeptoMail Who knows what this means?

• Cliq iOS can't see shared screen

  Hello, I had this morning a video call with a colleague. She is using Cliq Desktop MacOS and wanted to share her screen with me. I'm on iPad. I noticed, while she shared her screen, I could only see her video, but not the shared screen... Does Cliq iOS is able to display shared screen, or is it somewhere else to be found ? Regards

• ZOHO.CRM.UI.Record.open not working properly

  I have a Zoho CRM Widget and in it I have a block where it will open the blocks Meeting like below block.addEventListener("click", () => { ZOHO.CRM.UI.Record.open({ Entity: "Events", RecordID: meeting.id }).catch(err => { console.error("Open record failed:",

• 【Zoho CRM】通貨機能のアップデート：為替レートの自動更新やデータ更新オプションなど

  ユーザーの皆さま、こんにちは。コミュニティチームの藤澤です。 今回は「Zoho CRM アップデート情報」の中から通貨機能のアップデートをご紹介します。 CRMの複数通貨機能を使うと、地域ごとに通貨を管理し、顧客の現地通貨で記録したデータを自国通貨に自動換算して分析やレポートに活用できます。 従来は、為替レートを管理者が手動で定期更新する必要があり、各データには作成時点のレートが固定されるため、その後の市場変動は反映されませんでした。 本記事では、この問題を解消する「為替レートの自動更新」をはじめ、さまざまな新機能をご紹介します。

• Can we add zoho sign to a custom module?

  i understand out of the box it works with 8 modules. is it possible to add it to a custom module?

• This domain is not allowed to add in Zoho. Please contact support-as@zohocorp.com for further details

• Selected date present employees roster

  =CHOOSECOLS(FILTER(A2:E5;(INDEX(C2:E5;0;MATCH(VALUE(B8);INDEX(VALUE(C1:E1));0))<>"OFF")*(INDEX(C2:E5;0;MATCH(VALUE(B8);INDEX(VALUE(C1:E1));0))<>"EL"));1;2;2+MATCH(VALUE(B8);INDEX(VALUE(C1:E1));0)) This way sheet looks l

• Credit Card Terminal for Zoho Books

  Hello, Instead of punching the credit card number manually for customer payment, do you have a third-party hardware credit card reader that works with Braintree? Thank You

• Filtering in Help Center

  Hi, our ticket system is based on a set of structured status categories. The customer must be able to filter by these status. How can we add "Status" as filter to the help center. In the same moment we do not need filters e.g. as "channel". How can we

• On Edit Validation Blueprint

  Hello, I have a notes field and a signature field. When the Approve button is clicked, the Signature field will appear and must be filled in. When the Reject button is clicked, the Notes field will appear and must be filled in. Question: Blueprint will

• Google Fonts Integration in Pagesense Popup Editor

  Hello Zoho Pagesense Team, We hope you're doing well. We’d like to submit a feature request to enhance Zoho Pagesense’s popup editor with Google Fonts support. Current Limitation: Currently, Pagesense offers a limited set of default fonts. Google Fonts

• Increase Round Robin Scheduler Frequency in Zoho Desk

  Dear Zoho Desk Team, We hope this message finds you well. We would like to request an enhancement to the Round Robin Scheduler in Zoho Desk to better address ticket assignment efficiency. Current Behavior At present, the Round Robin Scheduler operates

• Can multiple agents be assigned to one ticket on purpose?

  Is it possible to assign one ticket to two or more agents at a time? I would like the option to have multiple people working on one ticket so that the same ticket is viewable for those agents on their list of pending tickets. Is something like this currently

• Next Page