# Automatic Cascading Due Dates for Dependencies

**URL:** <https://forum.asana.com/t/automatic-cascading-due-dates-for-dependencies/66541>\
**Category:** Product Ideas\
**Created:** [15 November 2019 21:28 UTC](https://forum.asana.com/t/automatic-cascading-due-dates-for-dependencies/66541 "2019-11-15T21:28:50Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 19\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Alyssa\_Craig](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/asana/user_avatar/forum.asana.com/alyssa_craig/32/44667_2.png) [@Alyssa\_Craig](https://forum.asana.com/u/Alyssa_Craig)\
**Post date:** [15 November 2019 21:28 UTC](https://forum.asana.com/t/automatic-cascading-due-dates-for-dependencies/66541/1 "2019-11-15T21:28:50Z")

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If tasks are linked and the due date for one task changes, it would be wonderful if the dependent tasks automatically updated their due dates as well. Right now it’s an INCREDIBLY manual process and I’m spending way too much time making updates to due dates when a project changes priority/gets delay/etc.

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**Author:** ![Larry\_Berger\_lpb](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/asana/user_avatar/forum.asana.com/larry_berger_lpb/32/276017_2.png) [@Larry\_Berger\_lpb](https://forum.asana.com/u/Larry_Berger_lpb)\
**Post date:** [15 November 2019 21:54 UTC](https://forum.asana.com/t/automatic-cascading-due-dates-for-dependencies/66541/2 "2019-11-15T21:54:16Z")

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@Alyssa_Craig, Were you aware this is coming:

> [@Auto-shifting dependency dates is now available on all projects!](https://forum.asana.com/t/auto-shifting-dependency-dates-is-now-available-on-all-projects/65503):
>
> Happy Wednesday everyone slight_smile We recently launched this feature in [Templates](https://asana.com/guide/help/premium/custom-templates#gl-autoshifting-dates) and I’m excited to share today that we’re starting to roll out auto-shifting dependency due dates to all projects so Asana will now automatically save you from manually updating any project schedules when conflicts arise! With auto-shifting dependency dates, all your dependant tasks due date will be automatically adjusted as soon as the parent due date changes, saving you time to concentrate on what matters …

It was in the process of being rolled out, but is now still being worked on, though expected soon.

Larry

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**Author:** ![Alyssa\_Craig](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/asana/user_avatar/forum.asana.com/alyssa_craig/32/44667_2.png) [@Alyssa\_Craig](https://forum.asana.com/u/Alyssa_Craig)\
**Post date:** [15 November 2019 22:09 UTC](https://forum.asana.com/t/automatic-cascading-due-dates-for-dependencies/66541/3 "2019-11-15T22:09:52Z")

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I don’t have access to that link but from what I can see that’s very exciting news! Thank you so much.

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**Author:** ![Larry\_Berger\_lpb](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/asana/user_avatar/forum.asana.com/larry_berger_lpb/32/276017_2.png) [@Larry\_Berger\_lpb](https://forum.asana.com/u/Larry_Berger_lpb)\
**Post date:** [15 November 2019 22:17 UTC](https://forum.asana.com/t/automatic-cascading-due-dates-for-dependencies/66541/4 "2019-11-15T22:17:33Z")

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@Alyssa_Craig, Whoops…sorry about that. I just edited the post to correct the link; you should be able to access it now:

> [@Auto-shifting dependency dates is now available on all projects!](https://forum.asana.com/t/auto-shifting-dependency-dates-is-now-available-on-all-projects/65503):
>
> Happy Wednesday everyone slight_smile We recently launched this feature in [Templates](https://asana.com/guide/help/premium/custom-templates#gl-autoshifting-dates) and I’m excited to share today that we’re starting to roll out auto-shifting dependency due dates to all projects so Asana will now automatically save you from manually updating any project schedules when conflicts arise! With auto-shifting dependency dates, all your dependant tasks due date will be automatically adjusted as soon as the parent due date changes, saving you time to concentrate on what matters …

Larry

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**Author:** ![Phil\_Seeman](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/asana/user_avatar/forum.asana.com/phil_seeman/32/81525_2.png) [@Phil\_Seeman](https://forum.asana.com/u/Phil_Seeman)\
**Post date:** [16 November 2019 06:45 UTC](https://forum.asana.com/t/automatic-cascading-due-dates-for-dependencies/66541/5 "2019-11-16T06:45:37Z")

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Hi @Alyssa_Craig,

Are you looking to have _ **all** _ of a task’s dependent tasks adjust when that dependency’s date changes, or just those dependent tasks which would be _ **in conflict** _ (i.e. overlap) when that dependency is changed?

If it’s the latter (only conflicts), then definitely the new Asana feature Larry pointed out is just what you need! If it’s the former, Asana will not do that, but you might take a look at my [Flowsana](https://flowsana.net) integration which does adjust all dependents.

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**Author:** ![Alyssa\_Craig](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/asana/user_avatar/forum.asana.com/alyssa_craig/32/44667_2.png) [@Alyssa\_Craig](https://forum.asana.com/u/Alyssa_Craig)\
**Post date:** [20 November 2019 18:07 UTC](https://forum.asana.com/t/automatic-cascading-due-dates-for-dependencies/66541/6 "2019-11-20T18:07:00Z")

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Ahh yes I was looking for ALL of the task’s dependent tasks to adjust. Bummer. But it sounds like it’s a step in the right direction.

Thank you!

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**Author:** ![Phil\_Seeman](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/asana/user_avatar/forum.asana.com/phil_seeman/32/81525_2.png) [@Phil\_Seeman](https://forum.asana.com/u/Phil_Seeman)\
**Post date:** [21 November 2019 15:43 UTC](https://forum.asana.com/t/automatic-cascading-due-dates-for-dependencies/66541/7 "2019-11-21T15:43:06Z")

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> [@Alyssa\_Craig](#):
>
> I was looking for ALL of the task’s dependent tasks to adjust.

You might want to check out Flowsana then, as it does exactly that.

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**Author:** ![Elizabeth\_Dilley](https://luna1.co/8d76cd.png) [@Elizabeth\_Dilley](https://forum.asana.com/u/Elizabeth_Dilley)\
**Post date:** [25 March 2021 18:51 UTC](https://forum.asana.com/t/automatic-cascading-due-dates-for-dependencies/66541/8 "2021-03-25T18:51:30Z")

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Hi Asana community, has this progressed since Nov 2019? We are SO KEEN for this as it’s such a manual process and taking up so much time. Gutted it’s not a standard feature as we’re so used to this in SmartSheets, which we’ve just transitioned off of onto Asana. Are there any workaround in the meantime?? Thanks. Elizabeth

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**Author:** ![Megan\_Rocko](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/asana/user_avatar/forum.asana.com/megan_rocko/32/75027_2.png) [@Megan\_Rocko](https://forum.asana.com/u/Megan_Rocko)\
**Post date:** [17 September 2021 19:05 UTC](https://forum.asana.com/t/automatic-cascading-due-dates-for-dependencies/66541/9 "2021-09-17T19:05:09Z")

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This is amazing and will cut down on all of that manual work! Thank you!!

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**Author:** ![anon81492092](https://luna1.co/8d76cd.png) [@anon81492092](https://forum.asana.com/u/anon81492092)\
**Post date:** [20 September 2021 15:57 UTC](https://forum.asana.com/t/automatic-cascading-due-dates-for-dependencies/66541/10 "2021-09-20T15:57:11Z")

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Any update on this? It’s extremely manual to adjust dates for projects without some kind of cascading date change.

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**Author:** ![Rashad\_Issa](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/asana/user_avatar/forum.asana.com/rashad_issa/32/283198_2.png) [@Rashad\_Issa](https://forum.asana.com/u/Rashad_Issa)\
**Post date:** [30 September 2021 13:23 UTC](https://forum.asana.com/t/automatic-cascading-due-dates-for-dependencies/66541/11 "2021-09-30T13:23:18Z")

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hello @anon81492092 , @Elizabeth_Dilley, @Alyssa_Craig  
Yes, this feature is now live. If you build your project and buold dependencies between tasks. Allocate due dates. If your project dates move, then the date adjusts of those in dependecies.

Check this guide on how to auto shift due dates.

> **[Asana Help Center](https://help.asana.com/s/article/task-dependencies?language=en_US)**

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**Author:** ![Sam\_Musoke](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/asana/user_avatar/forum.asana.com/sam_musoke/32/57978_2.png) [@Sam\_Musoke](https://forum.asana.com/u/Sam_Musoke)\
**Post date:** [29 June 2023 06:47 UTC](https://forum.asana.com/t/automatic-cascading-due-dates-for-dependencies/66541/12 "2023-06-29T06:47:08Z")

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Hi. I love this feature but find it is not working. I have a project with task A, due Jul 4 and task B (dependent on task A) due Jul 10. I have selected the consume buffer (default) option for this project. If I change the date of task A to Jul 11, I would expect task B to shift, but when I click ‘update’, it says there are no dependent tasks affected by the date change. Any advice?

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**Author:** ![Ashley\_McKnight](https://luna1.co/8d76cd.png) [@Ashley\_McKnight](https://forum.asana.com/u/Ashley_McKnight)\
**Post date:** [24 August 2023 14:54 UTC](https://forum.asana.com/t/automatic-cascading-due-dates-for-dependencies/66541/14 "2023-08-24T14:54:07Z")

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@Sam_Musoke This is the issue I’m having too. I don’t know what we’re doing wrong. @Marie do you have any advice by chance?

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**Author:** ![Teagan\_Gagovski](https://luna1.co/8d76cd.png) [@Teagan\_Gagovski](https://forum.asana.com/u/Teagan_Gagovski)\
**Post date:** [17 October 2023 09:59 UTC](https://forum.asana.com/t/automatic-cascading-due-dates-for-dependencies/66541/15 "2023-10-17T09:59:42Z")

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I’m having the same issue.  
Any suggestions?

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**Author:** ![Richard\_Sather](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/asana/user_avatar/forum.asana.com/richard_sather/32/276096_2.png) [@Richard\_Sather](https://forum.asana.com/u/Richard_Sather)\
**Post date:** [17 October 2023 10:42 UTC](https://forum.asana.com/t/automatic-cascading-due-dates-for-dependencies/66541/16 "2023-10-17T10:42:36Z")

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@Sam_Musoke , @Ashley_McKnight @Teagan_Gagovski (welcome to the forum 👋 )

It sounds like you are using the feature within the List or Board views, instead of the Timeline or Gantt views.

The key is to click the ‘Update’ button BEFORE you change the due date of the task. So click on ‘Update’ first and in the pop-up window, then once you change the due date there, Asana will display which tasks will be affected and once you click Save, it will shift them accordingly.

Hope this helps!

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**Author:** ![Ivonne\_Hernandez](https://luna1.co/8d76cd.png) [@Ivonne\_Hernandez](https://forum.asana.com/u/Ivonne_Hernandez)\
**Post date:** [7 October 2025 13:42 UTC](https://forum.asana.com/t/automatic-cascading-due-dates-for-dependencies/66541/17 "2025-10-07T13:42:57Z")

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I’m trying to streamline project scheduling in Asana. Specifically, when I update the due date of a task (e.g., changing “Develop Project Brief” to 10/8/25), I’d like the following task (“Finalize Project Brief”) to automatically adjust its date to follow in sequence (e.g., move to 10/9/25 instead of staying at 10/7/25).

**What I’ve tried so far:**

- I know that creating dependencies between tasks helps, but it seems I would need to set up dependencies for every single task to ensure dates cascade properly.

- In Timeline view, I’ve noticed that dragging a task to a new date does not always update the dates of dependent tasks as expected.

**What’s not working or confusing:**

- Is there a way to have task dates automatically cascade or update in sequence without manually adjusting each one or creating dependencies for every task?

- Are dependencies the only way to ensure all dates change accordingly, or is there another workaround or feature I might be missing?

- In Timeline view, is there a way to ensure that when I move a task, the dates of subsequent tasks adjust automatically?

- Also, does automatic date shifting only happen if I set this up in a template, or can it be configured in a project created from scratch?

Any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated!

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**Author:** ![Larry\_Berger\_lpb](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/asana/user_avatar/forum.asana.com/larry_berger_lpb/32/276017_2.png) [@Larry\_Berger\_lpb](https://forum.asana.com/u/Larry_Berger_lpb)\
**Post date:** [7 October 2025 13:51 UTC](https://forum.asana.com/t/automatic-cascading-due-dates-for-dependencies/66541/18 "2025-10-07T13:51:49Z")

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@Ivonne_Hernandez,

In Timeline view, multi-select the set of tasks to shift, then drag any one of them and all will shift maintaining their relative due dates.

Otherwise, see the earlier posts in this thread with a link to the Asana help for dependencies and settings that allow you to configure their behavior.

Thanks,

Larry

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**Author:** ![Ivonne\_Hernandez](https://luna1.co/8d76cd.png) [@Ivonne\_Hernandez](https://forum.asana.com/u/Ivonne_Hernandez)\
**Post date:** [7 October 2025 14:40 UTC](https://forum.asana.com/t/automatic-cascading-due-dates-for-dependencies/66541/19 "2025-10-07T14:40:26Z")

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Thank you for that multi-select option as I was not aware you could select multiple in that view! This is very helpful. @lpb

In regard to my other questions from having read the articles and thread, it still seems that the only way to automatically cascade dates is to have dependencies and it can still only do it for dependent tasks which are in conflict (overlap) but it does not do it for all of a task’s dependent tasks when that dependency’s date changes if it is not in conflict. Please correct me if I am wrong. Seems like I would need something like Flowsana to achieve this?

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**Author:** ![Larry\_Berger\_lpb](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/asana/user_avatar/forum.asana.com/larry_berger_lpb/32/276017_2.png) [@Larry\_Berger\_lpb](https://forum.asana.com/u/Larry_Berger_lpb)\
**Post date:** [7 October 2025 14:45 UTC](https://forum.asana.com/t/automatic-cascading-due-dates-for-dependencies/66541/20 "2025-10-07T14:45:21Z")

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Yes, I believe that’s right.
