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slackLists.items.create method

Facts​

DescriptionAdd a new item to an existing List.
Method Access
POST https://slack.com/api/slackLists.items.create
Scopes
Bot token:
User token:
Content types
application/x-www-form-urlencoded
application/json
Rate LimitsTier 3: 50+ per minute

Arguments​

Required arguments

tokenstringRequired

Token with which to authenticate the session.

Example: xxxx-xxxxxxxxx-xxxx
list_idRequired

ID of the List to add the item to.

Optional arguments

duplicated_item_idOptional

ID of the record to make a copy of.

parent_item_idOptional

ID of the parent record for this subtask.

initial_fieldsarrayOptional

Initial item data.

Usage info​

Lists are only available to Slack workspaces on a paid plan.

This method is used to create a new item, also known as a record, in an existing List.

The item will be created with the field values specified in the initial_fields parameter. Each field corresponds to a column in the List and must reference a valid column_id.

The response includes the created item with all its field values, plus metadata:

  • id: The unique identifier for the created item.
  • list_id: The List the item belongs to.
  • date_created: Unix timestamp when the item was created.
  • created_by: User ID of the user who created the item.
  • updated_by: User ID of the user who last updated the item.
  • updated_timestamp: String timestamp of last update.
  • parent_record_id: Present if this is a subtask.
  • fields: Array of all field values with their formatted representations.

Sample requests data​

Minimal​

{
  "token": "***",
  "list_id": "F1234ABCD"
}

With initial field values​

Provide field values using the initial_fields parameter:

{
  "token": "***",
  "list_id": "F1234ABCD",
  "initial_fields": [
    {
      "column_id": "Col10000000",
      "rich_text": [
        {
          "type": "rich_text",
          "elements": [
            {
              "type": "rich_text_section", 
              "elements": [
                {
                  "type": "text",
                  "text": "List of favorite shows"
                }
              ]
            }
          ]
        }
      ]
    }
  ]
}

Text column (plain text)​

While a bit counterintuitive, you must use rich_text blocks in a request that includes plain text. This is because List text fields are always rich text in order to create consistency across Slack's text editing experience. You may see the text property appear in a response as a fallback, but it is not accepted in the request payload. Instead, format your request using the Block Kit rich_text block as in the example below:

{
  "token": "***",
  "list_id": "F1234ABCD",
  "initial_fields": [
    {
      "column_id": "Col018B8C91TM",
      "rich_text": [
        {
          "type": "rich_text",
          "elements": [
            {
              "type": "rich_text_section",
              "elements": [
                {
                  "type": "text",
                  "text": "Timestream Defenders Orion"
                }
              ]
            }
          ]
        }
      ]
    }
  ]
}

With initial date, select, and user fields​

{
  "token": "***",
  "list_id": "F1234ABCD",
  "initial_fields": [
    {
      "column_id": "Col018AL764AE",
      "date": ["2025-10-10"]
    },
    {
      "column_id": "Col018AL7649G",
      "select": ["completed"]
    },
    {
      "column_id": "Col018B8C91V1",
      "user": ["U012A34BCDE"]
    }
  ]
}

Duplicate an item​

Create a copy of an existing item by specifying the duplicated_item_id:

{
  "token": "***",
  "list_id": "F1234ABCD",
  "duplicated_item_id": "Rec12345678"
}

Create a subtask under a parent item​

Create a subtask by specifying the parent_item_id:

{
  "token": "***",
  "list_id": "F1234ABCD",
  "parent_item_id": "Rec12345678", 
  "initial_fields": [
    {
      "column_id": "Col10000000",
      "select": ["OptHIGH123"]
    }
  ]
}

Field types​

The initial_fields parameter supports all column types available in Lists. The supported field formats are listed with examples below.

Text field (rich_text)

{
  "column_id": "Col123",
  "rich_text": [
    {
      "type": "rich_text",
      "elements": [
        {
          "type": "rich_text_section",
          "elements": [
            {
              "type": "text",
              "text": "Worldhoppers"
            }
          ]
        }
      ]
    }
  ]
}

User field

{
  "column_id": "Col123",
  "user": ["U1234567", "U2345678"]
}

Date field

{
  "column_id": "Col123", 
  "date": ["2025-10-10"]
}

Select field

{
  "column_id": "Col123",
  "select": ["OptionId123"]
}

Checkbox field

{
  "column_id": "Col123",
  "checkbox": true
}

Number field

{
  "column_id": "Col123",
  "number": [5000]
}

Email field

{
  "column_id": "Col123",
  "email": ["perihelion@univmiharanewtideland.com"]
}

Phone field

{
  "column_id": "Col123", 
  "phone": ["+1-555-123-4567"]
}

Attachment field

{
  "column_id": "Col123",
  "attachment": ["F1234567890"]
}

Link field

{
  "column_id": "Col123",
  "link": [
    {
      "original_url": "https://docs.slack.dev/",
      "display_as_url": false,
      "display_name": "Slack Developer Docs"
    }
  ]
}

Message field

{
  "column_id": "Col123",
  "message": ["https://yourteam.slack.com/archives/C1234567890/p1234567890123456"]
}

Rating field

{
  "column_id": "Col123",
  "rating": [4]
}

Timestamp field

{
  "column_id": "Col123",
  "timestamp": [1704067200]
}

Channel field

{
  "column_id": "Col123",
  "channel": ["C1234567890"]
}

Reference field

{
  "column_id": "Col123",
  "reference": [
    {
      "file": {
        "file_id": "F1234567890"
      }
    }
  ]
}

Response​

Typical success response: minimal

{
  "ok": true,
  "item": {
    "id": "Rec018ALE9718",
    "list_id": "F1234567",
    "date_created": 1758744345,
    "created_by": "W0AB1CDE2",
    "updated_by": "W0AB1CDE2",
    "fields": [],
    "updated_timestamp": "1758744345"
  }
}

Typical success response: text column (plain text)

{
  "ok": true,
  "item": {
    "id": "Rec018ALFLNTU",
    "list_id": "F1234567",
    "date_created": 1758744345,
    "created_by": "W0AB1CDE2",
    "updated_by": "W0AB1CDE2",
    "fields": [
      {
        "key": "rich_text_notes",
        "value": "[{\"type\":\"rich_text\",\"block_id\":\"k0zIi\",\"elements\":[{\"type\":\"rich_text_section\",\"elements\":[{\"type\":\"text\",\"text\":\"Fix bug\"}]}]}]",
        "text": "Fix bug",
        "rich_text": [
          {
            "type": "rich_text",
            "block_id": "k0zIi",
            "elements": [
              {
                "type": "rich_text_section",
                "elements": [
                  {
                    "text": "Fix bug",
                    "type": "text"
                  }
                ]
              }
            ]
          }
        ],
        "column_id": "Col018B8C91TM"
      }
    ],
    "updated_timestamp": "1758744345"
  }
}

Typical success response: with initial date, select, and user fields

{
  "ok": true,
  "item": {
    "id": "Rec018ALA7RPU",
    "list_id": "F1234567",
    "date_created": 1758744346,
    "created_by": "W0AB1CDE2",
    "updated_by": "W0AB1CDE2",
    "fields": [
      {
        "key": "status",
        "value": "completed",
        "select": [
          "completed"
        ],
        "column_id": "Col018AL7649G"
      },
      {
        "key": "date",
        "value": "2025-09-19",
        "date": [
          "2025-09-19"
        ],
        "timestamp": [
          -1
        ],
        "column_id": "Col018AL764AE"
      },
      {
        "key": "owner",
        "value": "U012A34BCDE",
        "user": [
          "U012A34BCDE"
        ],
        "column_id": "Col018B8C91V1"
      }
    ],
    "updated_timestamp": "1758744346"
  }
}

Typical success response: with initial date, select, and user fields

{
  "ok": true,
  "item": {
    "id": "Rec018ALFLP2N",
    "list_id": "F1234567",
    "date_created": 1758744346,
    "created_by": "W0AB1CDE2",
    "updated_by": "W0AB1CDE2",
    "fields": [],
    "updated_timestamp": "1758744346"
  }
}

Typical success response: create a subtask under a parent item

{
  "ok": true,
  "item": {
    "id": "Rec018B8RR603",
    "list_id": "F1234567",
    "date_created": 1758744346,
    "created_by": "W0AB1CDE2",
    "updated_by": "W0AB1CDE2",
    "fields": [],
    "updated_timestamp": "1758744346"
  }
}

Error when the specified List doesn't exist

{
  "ok": false,
  "error": "list_not_found"
}

Create a subtask by specifying a parent_item_id

{
  "ok": true,
  "item": {
    "id": "Rec11111111",
    "list_id": "F1234ABCD",
    "date_created": 1704067200,
    "created_by": "U1234567",
    "updated_by": "U1234567",
    "updated_timestamp": "1704067200",
    "parent_record_id": "Rec12345678",
    "fields": [
      {
        "key": "priority",
        "column_id": "Col10000000",
        "value": "OptHIGH123",
        "select": [
          "OptHIGH123"
        ]
      },
      {
        "key": "completed",
        "column_id": "Col10000001",
        "value": false,
        "checkbox": false
      },
      {
        "key": "created_time",
        "column_id": "Col10000002",
        "value": 1704067200,
        "timestamp": [
          1704067200
        ]
      }
    ]
  }
}

Create an item with all supported field types

{
  "ok": true,
  "item": {
    "id": "Rec87654321",
    "list_id": "F1234ABCD",
    "date_created": 1704067200,
    "created_by": "U1234567",
    "updated_by": "U1234567",
    "updated_timestamp": "1704067200",
    "fields": [
      {
        "key": "assignee1",
        "column_id": "Col01",
        "value": "U1234567",
        "user": [
          "U1234567"
        ]
      },
      {
        "key": "due_date",
        "column_id": "Col02",
        "value": "2024-12-31",
        "date": [
          "2024-12-31"
        ]
      },
      {
        "key": "phone_number",
        "column_id": "Col03",
        "value": "+1-555-123-4567",
        "phone": [
          "+1-555-123-4567"
        ]
      },
      {
        "key": "attachment1",
        "column_id": "Col04",
        "value": "F1234567890",
        "attachment": [
          "F1234567890"
        ]
      },
      {
        "key": "description",
        "column_id": "Col05",
        "value": "[{\"type\":\"rich_text\",\"block_id\":\"def456\",\"elements\":[{\"type\":\"rich_text_section\",\"elements\":[{\"type\":\"text\",\"text\":\"Project description\"}]}]}]",
        "text": "Project description",
        "rich_text": [
          {
            "type": "rich_text",
            "block_id": "def456",
            "elements": [
              {
                "type": "rich_text_section",
                "elements": [
                  {
                    "type": "text",
                    "text": "Project description"
                  }
                ]
              }
            ]
          }
        ]
      },
      {
        "key": "rating",
        "column_id": "Col06",
        "value": 4,
        "rating": [
          4
        ]
      },
      {
        "key": "assignee2",
        "column_id": "Col07",
        "value": "U2345678",
        "user": [
          "U2345678"
        ]
      },
      {
        "key": "attachment2",
        "column_id": "Col08",
        "value": "F2345678901",
        "attachment": [
          "F2345678901"
        ]
      },
      {
        "key": "notes",
        "column_id": "Col09",
        "value": "[{\"type\":\"rich_text\",\"block_id\":\"ghi789\",\"elements\":[{\"type\":\"rich_text_section\",\"elements\":[{\"type\":\"text\",\"text\":\"Additional notes\"}]}]}]",
        "text": "Additional notes",
        "rich_text": [
          {
            "type": "rich_text",
            "block_id": "ghi789",
            "elements": [
              {
                "type": "rich_text_section",
                "elements": [
                  {
                    "type": "text",
                    "text": "Additional notes"
                  }
                ]
              }
            ]
          }
        ]
      },
      {
        "key": "reviewer",
        "column_id": "Col10",
        "value": "U3456789",
        "user": [
          "U3456789"
        ]
      },
      {
        "key": "reference_link",
        "column_id": "Col11",
        "value": "{\"originalUrl\":\"https:\\/\\/example.com\",\"attachment\":{\"https:\\/\\/example.com\":{\"fallback\":\"Example Website\",\"from_url\":\"https:\\/\\/example.com\\/\",\"service_name\":\"example.com\",\"service_icon\":\"https:\\/\\/example.com\\/favicon.ico\",\"title\":\"Example Website\",\"title_link\":\"https:\\/\\/example.com\\/\",\"text\":\"This is an example website for demonstration purposes.\",\"id\":1,\"original_url\":\"https:\\/\\/example.com\"}},\"displayAsUrl\":false,\"displayName\":\"Example Website\"}",
        "link": [
          {
            "originalUrl": "https://example.com",
            "attachment": {
              "https://example.com": {
                "fallback": "Example Website",
                "from_url": "https://example.com/",
                "service_name": "example.com",
                "service_icon": "https://example.com/favicon.ico",
                "title": "Example Website",
                "title_link": "https://example.com/",
                "text": "This is an example website for demonstration purposes.",
                "id": 1,
                "original_url": "https://example.com"
              }
            },
            "displayAsUrl": false,
            "displayName": "Example Website"
          }
        ]
      },
      {
        "key": "contact_email",
        "column_id": "Col12",
        "value": "contact@example.com",
        "email": [
          "contact@example.com"
        ]
      },
      {
        "key": "related_message",
        "column_id": "Col13",
        "value": "https://yourteam.slack.com/archives/C1234567890/p1234567890123456",
        "message": [
          {
            "value": "https://yourteam.slack.com/archives/C1234567890/p1234567890123456",
            "channel_id": "C1234567890",
            "ts": "1234567890.123456"
          }
        ]
      },
      {
        "key": "completed",
        "column_id": "Col14",
        "value": true,
        "checkbox": true
      },
      {
        "key": "budget",
        "column_id": "Col15",
        "value": 5000,
        "number": [
          5000
        ]
      },
      {
        "key": "priority",
        "column_id": "Col16",
        "value": "OptHIGH123",
        "select": [
          "OptHIGH123"
        ]
      },
      {
        "key": "approved",
        "column_id": "Col17",
        "value": false,
        "checkbox": false
      },
      {
        "key": "created_time",
        "column_id": "Col18",
        "value": 1704067200,
        "timestamp": [
          1704067200
        ]
      }
    ]
  }
}

Create an item by duplicating an existing item

{
  "ok": true,
  "item": {
    "id": "Rec99999999",
    "list_id": "F1234ABCD",
    "date_created": 1704067200,
    "created_by": "U1234567",
    "updated_by": "U1234567",
    "updated_timestamp": "1704067200",
    "fields": [
      {
        "key": "title",
        "column_id": "Col10000000",
        "value": "[{\"type\":\"rich_text\",\"block_id\":\"xyz789\",\"elements\":[{\"type\":\"rich_text_section\",\"elements\":[{\"type\":\"text\",\"text\":\"Copy of original task\"}]}]}]",
        "text": "Copy of original task",
        "rich_text": [
          {
            "type": "rich_text",
            "block_id": "xyz789",
            "elements": [
              {
                "type": "rich_text_section",
                "elements": [
                  {
                    "type": "text",
                    "text": "Copy of original task"
                  }
                ]
              }
            ]
          }
        ]
      },
      {
        "key": "assignee",
        "column_id": "Col10000001",
        "value": "U1234567",
        "user": [
          "U1234567"
        ]
      },
      {
        "key": "priority",
        "column_id": "Col10000002",
        "value": "Opt456",
        "select": [
          "Opt456"
        ]
      }
    ]
  }
}

Error when the specified list doesn't exist

{
  "ok": false,
  "error": "list_not_found"
}

Error when the item to duplicate doesn't exist

{
  "ok": false,
  "error": "duplicated_item_not_found"
}

Error when the list has reached its maximum number of items

{
  "ok": false,
  "error": "over_row_maximum"
}

Error when field value type doesn't match column type

{
  "ok": false,
  "error": "invalid_input_type"
}

Error when column_id doesn't exist in the list

{
  "ok": false,
  "error": "invalid_column_id"
}

Error when too many values provided for a single field

{
  "ok": false,
  "error": "over_cell_fields_limit"
}

Error when attachment file cannot be found

{
  "ok": false,
  "error": "file_not_found"
}

Error when invalid value provided for vote column

{
  "ok": false,
  "error": "invalid_vote_value"
}

Errors​

This table lists the expected errors that this method could return. However, other errors can be returned in the case where the service is down or other unexpected factors affect processing. Callers should always check the value of the ok parameter in the response.

Error
Description
access_denied

Access to a resource specified in the request is denied.

accesslimited

Access to this method is limited on the current network

account_inactive

Authentication token is for a deleted user or workspace when using a bot token.

channel_not_found

The channel cannot be found.

deprecated_endpoint

The endpoint has been deprecated.

duplicated_item_not_found

The item to duplicate cannot be found.

ekm_access_denied

Administrators have suspended the ability to post a message.

enterprise_is_restricted

The method cannot be called from an Enterprise.

fatal_error

The server could not complete your operation(s) without encountering a catastrophic error. It's possible some aspect of the operation succeeded before the error was raised.

file_not_found

The attachment file could not be found.

internal_error

The server could not complete your operation(s) without encountering an error, likely due to a transient issue on our end. It's possible some aspect of the operation succeeded before the error was raised.

invalid_arg_name

The method was passed an argument whose name falls outside the bounds of accepted or expected values. This includes very long names and names with non-alphanumeric characters other than _. If you get this error, it is typically an indication that you have made a very malformed API call.

invalid_args

The provided arguments are invalid.

invalid_arguments

The method was called with invalid arguments.

invalid_array_arg

The method was passed an array as an argument. Please only input valid strings.

invalid_attachment

Invalid attachment provided.

invalid_auth

Some aspect of authentication cannot be validated. Either the provided token is invalid or the request originates from an IP address disallowed from making the request.

invalid_charset

The method was called via a POST request, but the charset specified in the Content-Type header was invalid. Valid charset names are: utf-8 iso-8859-1.

invalid_column_id

The column ID provided does not exist in the List.

invalid_date

Date supplied is invalid.

invalid_email

Email supplied is invalid.

invalid_form_data

The method was called via a POST request with Content-Type application/x-www-form-urlencoded or multipart/form-data, but the form data was either missing or syntactically invalid.

invalid_input_type

The field value type does not match the column type.

invalid_message

Invalid message provided.

invalid_option_id

Option ID provided does not match column definition.

invalid_phone_number

Invalid phone number provided.

invalid_post_type

The method was called via a POST request, but the specified Content-Type was invalid. Valid types are: application/json application/x-www-form-urlencoded multipart/form-data text/plain.

invalid_reference

Invalid reference provided; a reference cell holds one record or message.

invalid_text_block

Rich text payload supplied is invalid.

invalid_timestamp

Timestamp supplied is invalid.

invalid_vote_value

Invalid value provided for a vote column.

list_not_found

The List was not found.

method_deprecated

The method has been deprecated.

missing_argument

A required argument was not provided. The response's arg field names the missing argument. Arguments sent in a JSON body are ignored by methods that don't list application/json as a content type.

missing_post_type

The method was called via a POST request and included a data payload, but the request did not include a Content-Type header.

missing_scope

The token used is not granted the specific scope permissions required to complete this request.

no_permission

The workspace token used in this request does not have the permissions necessary to complete the request. Make sure your app is a member of the conversation it's attempting to post a message to.

not_allowed_token_type

The token type used in this request is not allowed.

not_authed

No authentication token provided.

org_login_required

The workspace is undergoing an enterprise migration and will not be available until migration is complete.

over_cell_fields_limit

Too many values provided for a single field.

over_row_maximum

Cannot create more items over the maximum.

permission_denied

The user does not have permission to perform this action (for example, frontline members cannot create List items).

ratelimited

The request has been ratelimited. Refer to the Retry-After header for when to retry the request.

request_timeout

The method was called via a POST request, but the POST data was either missing or truncated.

restricted_action

A team preference prevents this action.

service_unavailable

The service is temporarily unavailable

team_access_not_granted

The token used is not granted the specific workspace access required to complete this request.

team_added_to_org

The workspace associated with your request is currently undergoing migration to an Enterprise Organization. Web API and other platform operations will be intermittently unavailable until the transition is complete.

team_not_found

The team cannot be found.

token_expired

Authentication token has expired

token_revoked

Authentication token is for a deleted user or workspace or the app has been removed when using a user token.

two_factor_setup_required

Two factor setup is required.

uneditable_column

Initial values provided for an uneditable column.

user_not_found

The user cannot be found.