# Trigger Action: Start Date on a task **URL:** \ **Category:** Product Ideas\ **Tags:** rules\ **Created:** [9 February 2023 13:43 UTC](https://forum.asana.com/t/trigger-action-start-date-on-a-task/334497 "2023-02-09T13:43:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**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:** [9 February 2023 13:43 UTC](https://forum.asana.com/t/trigger-action-start-date-on-a-task/334497/1 "2023-02-09T13:43:19Z")
The more I use the rules feature, I more I want more of it to do. Currently, I can set a trigger that when a custom field is changed to x, allocate due date to + 7 days for example. In Development projects, timeline view is mainly used. I would like the action to include start date as well so I can integrate dependencies to other work within the project. The rule I am looking for: Trigger: When custom field is changed to X Action: Allocate the task start date same as change of customer field and give deadline + y number of days Thoughts? ---
**Author:** ![Bastien\_Siebman](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/asana/user_avatar/forum.asana.com/bastien_siebman/32/172354_2.png) [@Bastien\_Siebman](https://forum.asana.com/u/Bastien_Siebman)\ **Post date:** [10 February 2023 07:44 UTC](https://forum.asana.com/t/trigger-action-start-date-on-a-task/334497/2 "2023-02-10T07:44:36Z")
It would be cool. You (or me) could custom code a rule if needed, that possible now. ---
**Author:** ![Alex\_asana](https://luna1.co/8d76cd.png) [@Alex\_asana](https://forum.asana.com/u/Alex_asana)\ **Post date:** [12 June 2023 18:41 UTC](https://forum.asana.com/t/trigger-action-start-date-on-a-task/334497/3 "2023-06-12T18:41:02Z")
Is this actually possible with a custom rule? I only see “due date” as a trigger, not “start date”. ---
**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:** [12 June 2023 22:05 UTC](https://forum.asana.com/t/trigger-action-start-date-on-a-task/334497/4 "2023-06-12T22:05:20Z")
@Alex_asana, Not possible with Asana natively. You can do it via the rules in our [Flowsana](https://flowsana.net) integration: ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/asana/original/3X/f/2/f2fd095013ba9b67920d33a47f0dbebf7e7d9735.png) ---
**Author:** ![Alex\_asana](https://luna1.co/8d76cd.png) [@Alex\_asana](https://forum.asana.com/u/Alex_asana)\ **Post date:** [13 June 2023 01:17 UTC](https://forum.asana.com/t/trigger-action-start-date-on-a-task/334497/5 "2023-06-13T01:17:19Z")
Noted, thank you. ---
**Author:** ![Aiden\_McDaniel](https://luna1.co/8d76cd.png) [@Aiden\_McDaniel](https://forum.asana.com/u/Aiden_McDaniel)\ **Post date:** [1 September 2023 15:31 UTC](https://forum.asana.com/t/trigger-action-start-date-on-a-task/334497/6 "2023-09-01T15:31:04Z")
I track many projects at once (and many tasks within projects). It would be helpful to send me an alert (email, or calendar event), if a task (or subtask) was about to start - say in 5 days. For example - I enter in an entire season of projects (for a new Performing Arts season), and in each project, there are up to 10 major tasks that are deliverables for that project. So for 23-24 Season: On Sale - I have to create digital assets, posters, flyers. Of course all of these major tasks have subtasks that comprise the steps needed to make each of those assets. It would be great if I have a custom field like “Start Date”, and once that start date is within 5 days (of the start date), the system sends me an email or creates a calendar event so that I know that I need to nudge my designers to start this task so that it gets completed on time. Of course - if anyone else has a brilliant idea for a custom rule - including creating custom fields - please let me know. Right now, I can’t think of anything. ---
**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:** [1 September 2023 16:15 UTC](https://forum.asana.com/t/trigger-action-start-date-on-a-task/334497/7 "2023-09-01T16:15:08Z")
Hi @Aiden_McDaniel, I moved your post to a relevant thread. 1. Be sure to add your vote for this enhancement above (purple “Vote” button at top of thread). 2. Note that there is a solution available via our Flowsana integration, also referenced above. ---
**Author:** ![Aiden\_McDaniel](https://luna1.co/8d76cd.png) [@Aiden\_McDaniel](https://forum.asana.com/u/Aiden_McDaniel)\ **Post date:** [1 September 2023 16:44 UTC](https://forum.asana.com/t/trigger-action-start-date-on-a-task/334497/8 "2023-09-01T16:44:17Z")
Thank you Phil - I’ve voted for the Feature upgrade - i don’t really wish to pay for an additional integration when it seems like this could be accomplished within existing fields. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Moriarty](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/asana/user_avatar/forum.asana.com/peter_moriarty/32/212773_2.png) [@Peter\_Moriarty](https://forum.asana.com/u/Peter_Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [28 December 2023 01:45 UTC](https://forum.asana.com/t/trigger-action-start-date-on-a-task/334497/9 "2023-12-28T01:45:11Z")
I have a workflow set up to set a new due date on a task, but that clears the start date and I have no option to change the due date without the start date also being cleared. The automation says ‘set due date’ but ALSO clears start date This renders the start date on any tasks pretty useless if ‘set date’ automations are used. Activity: ![Screenshot 2023-12-28 at 9.40.36 am](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/asana/original/3X/e/a/ea66c6d22d84783d904b43e4313256940302b6e8.png) Automation: ![Screenshot 2023-12-28 at 9.41.19 am](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/asana/original/3X/3/c/3c40a476c2437d258368d5240d0608df667a41fc.png) ---
**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:** [28 December 2023 02:00 UTC](https://forum.asana.com/t/trigger-action-start-date-on-a-task/334497/10 "2023-12-28T02:00:49Z")
@Peter_Moriarty, I’ve merged your post into an existing thread where you can click the title to scroll to the top and vote by clicking the purple Vote button. Although you may feel it’s a bug, Asana would classify it otherwise because the code doesn’t yet exist to work with Start Date in this manner. Thanks, Larry ---
**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:** [28 December 2023 03:27 UTC](https://forum.asana.com/t/trigger-action-start-date-on-a-task/334497/11 "2023-12-28T03:27:43Z")
@Peter_Moriarty, Just FYI, if you use the “Set a date field” rule action in our [Flowsana](https://flowsana.net) integration to modify a task’s due date, it will not erase the task’s start date (in fact, it will adjust it by the same number of days that you’re adjusting the due date so that the duration of the task remains consistent). ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Moriarty](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/asana/user_avatar/forum.asana.com/peter_moriarty/32/212773_2.png) [@Peter\_Moriarty](https://forum.asana.com/u/Peter_Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [5 January 2024 05:19 UTC](https://forum.asana.com/t/trigger-action-start-date-on-a-task/334497/12 "2024-01-05T05:19:00Z")
Thanks, I’m new to the forum and that distinction makes sense ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Moriarty](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/asana/user_avatar/forum.asana.com/peter_moriarty/32/212773_2.png) [@Peter\_Moriarty](https://forum.asana.com/u/Peter_Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [5 January 2024 05:19 UTC](https://forum.asana.com/t/trigger-action-start-date-on-a-task/334497/13 "2024-01-05T05:19:32Z")
Thanks [quote=“Phil\_Seeman, post:11, topic:334497, full:true”] @Peter_Moriarty, Just FYI, if you use the “Set a date field” rule action in our [Flowsana](https://flowsana.net) integration to modify a task’s due date, it will not erase the task’s start date (in fact, it will adjust it by the same number of days that you’re adjusting the due date so that the duration of the task remains consistent). [/quote] Thanks, I may give this a go!