> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://helpdocs.getthread.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Configure Autotask UDFs for Thread Approvals

> Set up Autotask Contact UDFs to power Thread approvals: create approval roles, assign them to contacts, and configure Triage Agent or Inbox approvals.

## **Overview**

This guide explains how to create a User-Defined Field (UDF) in Autotask, assign it to contacts, and configure Thread to use approvals.

Approvals can be used in the following:

| Feature      | Description                                                                           |
| ------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Thread Inbox | Manually trigger or cancel an approval directly within Thread Inbox or Pods/Insights. |
| Triage Agent | Automatically send approval requests directly within an intent with Triage Agent.     |

Click here for more information on approvals

## **Step 1: Create a Contact UDF in Autotask**

<Steps>
  <Step title="Login to Autotask PSA">
    Login to [Autotask PSA](https://ww1.autotask.net/Mvc/Framework/Authentication.mvc/Authenticate).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Admin in the top navigation bar">
    Click on **Admin** in the top navigation bar.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select User-Defined Fields (UDFs)">
    Select **User-Defined Fields (UDFs)** under **Application-Wide (Shared) Features**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click the Contacts tab">
    Click on the **Contacts** tab.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click New to create a new UDF">
    Click **New** to create a new UDF.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter a Name">
    **Enter a Name:** (e.g., `Approval Role`)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select the Field Type">
    **Field Type:** Select `List (Single Select)`
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add Contact Types and define approval roles">
    Under the **List Options** click **New** to add **Contact Types** and define approval roles, such as:**Approval Role\*\*\*\*Description**ApproverReviews and approves or denies requests.FinanceReviews and approves requests related to budgets, expenses, and financial impact.ProcurementReviews and approves vendor, contracts, and purchasing requests.Human ResourcesReviews and approves new hire, termination and other human resource related requests.Change Advisory Board (CAB)A committee that reviews and approves system-wide IT changes.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Save & Close">
    Click **Save & Close** to save the new UDF.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## **Step 2: Assign the UDF to Contacts in Autotask**

<Steps>
  <Step title="Login to Autotask PSA">
    Login to [Autotask PSA](https://ww1.autotask.net/Mvc/Framework/Authentication.mvc/Authenticate).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Go to CRM > Contacts">
    Go to **CRM > Contacts** in Autotask.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Search for and select the contact">
    Search for and select the contact.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Find the Approval Role UDF field">
    Find the newly created **Approval Role** UDF field.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose the correct role from the dropdown">
    Choose the correct role from the dropdown (e.g., Approver, Procurement).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Save & Close">
    Click **Save & Close**.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## **Step 3: Sync Data from Autotask to Thread**

<Note>
  Note

  Contacts are automatically updated in Thread. However, you will need to force sync

  Contact Types

  by following the steps below:
</Note>

<Steps>
  <Step title="Login to the Thread admin panel">
    Login to the **Thread admin panel**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Go to the PSA Sync tab">
    Go to the **PSA Sync** tab.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Force Sync next to Contact Types">
    Click **Force Sync** next to**Contact Types**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Wait for the sync to complete">
    Wait for the sync to complete.
  </Step>
</Steps>

Once completed, Thread will now recognize the **Approval Role** UDF and use it for the approvals workflow.

## **Step 4: Configure Thread to Use the UDF for Approvals**

<Steps>
  <Step title="Login to the Thread admin panel">
    Login to the [**Thread admin panel**](htttps://admin.getthread.com).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Go to Admin > Integrations > PSA > Settings">
    Click **Admin > Integrations > PSA > Settings**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Locate the Approval Field setting">
    Locate the **Approval Field** setting.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select the UDF you created in Autotask">
    Select the UDF you created in Autotask (e.g., `Approval Roles`).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Save Changes">
    Click **Save Changes**.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## **Completion**

* Check a request in Thread to ensure that approvals are assigned correctly.
* If the UDF is not showing, verify that the **Autotask-Thread sync** was successful.
* If issues persist, [reach out to **support**](https://help.getthread.com/).


## Related topics

- [Set Up an Autotask Email Workflow for Thread Chats](/integrations/setting-up-an-email-communication-workflow-in-autotask.md)
- [Approvals in Inbox: Request and Manage Decisions](/inbox/approvals-in-inbox.md)
- [Configure Ticket Type Categorization in Autotask and Halo](/assistive-ai/configuring-ticket-type-categorization.md)