--- title: Task Approvals Overview description: Add task approvals to your custom workflow to designate an approver before the status can be updated. --- [Skip to content](https://learn.projectmanager.com/task-approvals#main-content) English Show submenu for translations [Ask a Question](https://learn.projectmanager.com/kb-tickets/new) ![](https://learn.projectmanager.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2022-PM-Logo-01.png?width=40&height=31&name=2022-PM-Logo-01.png) - [ProjectManager Knowledge Base](https://learn.projectmanager.com/) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [ProjectManager Knowledge Base](https://learn.projectmanager.com/) - English Show submenu for translations - [Ask a Question](https://learn.projectmanager.com/kb-tickets/new) How can we help you today? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [ProjectManager Knowledge Base](https://learn.projectmanager.com/) 2. [Tasks & teams](https://learn.projectmanager.com/tasks-teams) 3. [Advanced Task Management](https://learn.projectmanager.com/tasks-teams#advanced-task-management) # Task Approvals Overview ## Add task approvals to your custom workflow to designate an approver before the status can be updated. *Task approvals are available on Business and above, [learn more.](http://app.projectmanager.com/go/pricing)* You can add task approvals to your [custom workflow](https://learn.projectmanager.com/custom-workflows) or use it in conjunction with [automation](https://learn.projectmanager.com/automation) to designate an approver before the status can be updated. This article explains how to set a workflow approver for each status in your workflow.   ![](https://learn.projectmanager.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Jan-03-2024-08-32-16-7995-PM.png?width=672&height=481&name=image-png-Jan-03-2024-08-32-16-7995-PM.png)   You can set task approvals by navigating to the custom workflows popup. Only the project creator or manager can set task approvals. Alternatively, you can opt not to set task approvals. If you don’t set a task approver, tasks will be able to freely move from status to status.   ![](https://learn.projectmanager.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Jan-03-2024-08-49-10-6865-PM.png?width=667&height=305&name=image-png-Jan-03-2024-08-49-10-6865-PM.png)   If a task requires approval before the status can be changed, it will be visible on all project views. On the board, list and calendar, an “approve” or “decline” button will be visible at the top of the task card. On the Gantt, an icon will display under the Info column to designate if a task requires an approver.   ![](https://learn.projectmanager.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Jan-03-2024-08-50-49-8215-PM.png?width=673&height=233&name=image-png-Jan-03-2024-08-50-49-8215-PM.png)   The “approve” or “ decline” button will display differently for the approver and non-approver. The approver will see that a task needs to be approved, and they will have the option to approve or deny it.   **Note: Task approvals are only available on Business and above.** **Need access? [Upgrade your plan today.](http://app.projectmanager.com/go/pricing)**   The non-approver will see that the task needs to be approved and will display the approver’s name. Once a task is approved, the approver will see that the task has been approved and can revert the approval.   ![](https://learn.projectmanager.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Jan-03-2024-08-51-28-8768-PM.png?width=683&height=232&name=image-png-Jan-03-2024-08-51-28-8768-PM.png)   If the task isn't approved, the word “denied” will display, and the approver will have the option to approve it or leave it in an unapproved state.  ### ![](https://learn.projectmanager.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Jan-03-2024-08-51-58-8057-PM.png?width=686&height=234&name=image-png-Jan-03-2024-08-51-58-8057-PM.png)   Approval statuses are recorded in the Task History, the Notifications and via email so everyone is kept in the loop.    ![](https://learn.projectmanager.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Jan-03-2024-09-03-24-4281-PM.png?width=688&height=465&name=image-png-Jan-03-2024-09-03-24-4281-PM.png) ### Task Approvals With Automation Approvals can be used with our automation feature to trigger a specific action. For example, *when* approval is granted, *then *assign the task to Bob Smith. Keep in mind that automation rules are evaluated in order and all trigger actions must be true for the rule to be completed. 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