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Release: Australia · Updated: 2026-03-12 · Official documentation · View source

Important Task table fields

The Task table is a base class that provides fields for the core ITSM applications such as Incident, Problem, and Change Management. All applications that extend the Task table share these fields in common.

LabelNameTypeDescription
ActiveactivebooleanSpecifies whether work is still being done on a task or whether the work for the task is complete. By default, only application-specific business rules set the value of this field. For example, the incident autoclose business rule closes resolved incidents that have not been updated for one day.
Additional commentscommentsjournal\_inputDisplays and allows the entry of comments about the task record. Each comment is inserted into the Activity field. For more information, see Journal field type.
Approval Historyapproval\_historyjournalDisplays the history of approvals for the record. For more information, see Tools for completing tasks.
Assigned Toassigned\_toreferenceSpecifies the user assigned to complete the task. By default, this field uses a Reference qualifiers to only display users with the itil role. Some applications override the parent reference qualifier to display relevant users. For example, the Service Order and Project Task tables filter users based on their skills.
Createdsys\_created\_onglide\_date\_timeDisplays the date and time when the task record was created.
DescriptiondescriptionstringDisplays and allows the entry of a multi-line description of the work to be done.
EscalationescalationintegerIndicates how long the task has been open. Escalations are dynamically populated using service level agreements, which specify how long a task remains in each escalation state. Escalation states go from Normal to Moderate to High, and finally to Overdue. Record lists color code each task by escalation state.
NumbernumberstringDisplays an identifying number for each task record. This field is the display value for the Task table. The system generates this number when the task is created. To manage number generation, see Record numbering.
Openedopened\_atglide\_date\_timeDisplays the date and time when a human opened the task record for the first time.
PrioritypriorityintegerSpecifies how high a priority the task should be for the assignee. By default, the calculatePrioritybusiness rule calculates this value based on the Impact and Urgency values. Record lists color code each task by degree of priority.
Short Descriptionshort\_descriptionStringDisplays and allows the entry of a short description of the task, which is a human-readable title for the record.
StatestateIntegerDisplays a choice list for status of the task: - Pending - Open - Work in Progress - Closed Complete - Closed Incomplete - Closed Skipped Applications typically use Dictionary overrides to display application-specific states.
Sys IDsys\_idGUIDDisplays the Unique record identifier (sys_id).
Task Typesys\_class\_namesys\_class\_nameSpecifies the type of task, which corresponds to the child class. The system populates this value when a record is created on a child table.
Time Workedtime\_workedtimerDisplay a timer which measures how long a record is open in the form view.
Watch listwatch\_listglide\_listSpecifies users who receive Email and SMS notifications when the record is updated. By default, only the Incident, Change, and Service Catalog applications notify users listed in this field. For other Task-based applications, you must create custom email notifications sent to the users listed in this field.
Work noteswork\_notesjournal\_inputDisplays and allows the entry of comments viewable only by ITIL users. Each comment is inserted into the Activity field. For more information, see Journal field type.
Work notes listwork\_notes\_listglide\_listSpecifies users who receive Email and SMS notifications when work notes are added to the record. By default, only the Change, Problem, and Service Catalog applications notify users listed in this field. For other Task-based applications, you must create custom email notifications sent to the users listed in this field.

Parent Topic:Task table structure