Can monday.com automations run on subitems?
Only in a very limited way. monday.com's built-in automations can create subitems, but they can't keep subitems in sync with their parent.
Subitem Automations adds automations for subitems: sync values with the parent, create subitems from templates, roll dates up and manage dependencies.
Read the full comparisonHow they compare
| What you need | Built-in automations | Subitem Automations |
|---|---|---|
| Sync parent to subitems | No | Yes |
| Create subitems | Fixed names | From a template, with values |
| Roll-ups to the parent | Summary only | Into any parent column |
| Subitem dependencies | No | Yes |
Subitem AutomationsComparison5 min readBy the Fantasy Media teamWhat do monday.com's built-in automations do?
They automate items: change a status, assign an owner, move an item, notify someone. With subitems they do very little: create new subitems with fixed names, and show a summary of subitem columns on the parent.
Where does it stop?
At keeping subitems and parents in sync. When the parent changes, its existing subitems don't follow, and monday.com's own help sends you to the Marketplace for that. So the steps under each item are still updated by hand.
When are monday.com's built-in automations enough?
When your automations change items, and subitems only need to be created with the same names each time. Then the built-in automations do the job, and you don't need an app.
When do you need more?
When work happens in subitems. If each project has steps that should follow the project, start from a template or roll up into it, Subitem Automations covers that.
What does it look like in practice?
- Every new step starts with the right deadline. When a subitem is created, copy Due date from its parent.
- Projects close themselves. When all subitems are Done, set the parent to Done.
- Approved work gets its steps. When status changes to Approved, create subitems from a template.
How do I switch from the native tool?
- Install the app free from the monday.com marketplace. A monday.com admin, or someone with app-install permission, does this once.
- On your board, add the automation you need.
- Choose the columns it should read and update.
- It runs on its own. Each change it makes counts as one action.
How much does it cost?
There's a free plan with 100 actions / month. Paid plans run from $39 to $599 a month, or from $31 a month billed yearly. Every plan includes unlimited users, billing runs through your monday.com account, and every plan comes with a full refund within the first 30 days.
What do customers say?
“Has everything missing in Monday's native capabilities. I reached out for support with a broken automation, and they responded and helped very quickly. Also appreciate the free plan is not majorly limited, like many other Monday Apps. Highly recommend!”
EV, review on the monday.com marketplace, Dec 2025Questions
What counts as one action?
An action is anything an automation does for you: one status change, one date update, one link. If an automation updates 10 subitems at once, that's 10 actions.
Do I need to be a monday.com admin to install it?
Not always. monday.com admins, or users with app-install permission, can install Marketplace apps. If you're neither, ask your admin to install it.
Can I use it on all my boards?
Yes. Once installed in a workspace, the app works on every board in it. There's no per-board cost or limit.
Can I get a refund?
Yes. Every plan comes with a full refund within the first 30 days, and monthly plans can be cancelled anytime. Refunds are issued by monday.com.
Do I have to stop using the built-in automations?
No. Keep them for items. Subitem Automations adds automations for subitems alongside them.
Email hello@fantasymedia.io. If a call helps, we'll set one up with our team.
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