monday.comLinkLens Dependency Map

How do you read, filter and set monday.com dependencies with the API?

By Mortise Apps · 2 November 2026 · 4 min read

You want a script to answer "what is waiting on this item?" or to add a dependency without opening the board. Which monday.com API calls do that, and what does the API leave out?

Short answer: read dependencies with column_values and an inline fragment on DependencyValue (linked_item_ids, linked_items). Find the items that wait on a given item with items_page and the any_of operator on the dependency column. Write with change_multiple_column_values and an item_ids array; change_simple_column_value is not supported. An update replaces the whole list, and the relationship type (finish-to-start and the others) is not exposed by the API.

Checked 2 Nov 2026: monday's API reference page for the Dependency column (last updated 6 Sept 2026 according to the page). The queries below follow that page; the board, item and column ids are placeholders. We did not run these against a paid board for this post.

Read an item's dependencies

Query the item's column_values, limited to the dependency type, and read the fields on DependencyValue:

query {
  items(ids: [1234567890]) {
    name
    column_values(types: dependency) {
      ... on DependencyValue {
        id
        display_value
        linked_item_ids
        linked_items { id name }
        updated_at
      }
    }
  }
}

linked_item_ids holds "the unique identifiers of the items this item depends on" and is an empty array when nothing is set. display_value is the comma-separated list of names. Two fields look useful and are not: the docs say text and value "always return null" for this column.

Find every item that waits on one item

This is the question a board view cannot answer quickly: if item 9876543210 slips, which items depend on it directly? items_page supports four operators on the dependency column:

query {
  boards(ids: 1234567890) {
    items_page(query_params: {
      rules: [{ column_id: "dependent_on", compare_value: [9876543210], operator: any_of }]
    }) {
      items { id name }
    }
  }
}

That gives one hop. Items that wait on those items are a second query, and so on: to get the whole chain you repeat the call with the ids you just found until nothing new comes back. is_empty is handy for a different check: items with no dependency at all on a board where every task should have one.

Add a dependency without losing the others

Writes go through change_multiple_column_values with an item_ids array of strings:

mutation {
  change_multiple_column_values(
    item_id: 9876543210
    board_id: 1234567890
    column_values: "{\"dependent_on\": {\"item_ids\": [\"1234567891\", \"1234567892\"]}}"
  ) { id }
}

The docs warn that "updating a dependency column replaces the entire list of dependencies". To add one, read linked_item_ids first, append the new id, then send the full list. Sending only the new id removes the others. The same JSON works in create_item to set dependencies when the item is created.

Clear the column

Send null (or an empty object) for the column: "{\"dependent_on\": null}" in change_multiple_column_values.

Read the column's settings

The column's typed settings object (the docs say settings_str is deprecated as of API version 2025-10) returns boardIds, allowMultipleItems and dependency_mode (flexible, strict or no_action). The mode "only has an effect when the board contains a Date or Timeline column"; without one, the board behaves as no_action. More on the modes: flexible vs strict vs no action.

What the API does not give you

• The relationship type. Finish-to-start, start-to-start, finish-to-finish and start-to-finish can be set per dependency in the UI, but the docs say this "is not currently exposed by the API". DependencyValue only says which items are linked.
• Other boards. The column sets up dependencies "within the same board". For work on another board you need a Connect boards column, which has no dependency logic: cross-board dependencies in monday.com.
• The chain. Each call returns direct links only; walking the chain is your loop.

Seeing the chain without writing the loop

If the goal is to see what is blocked and how far a delay spreads, we make LinkLens Dependency Map, a monday.com board view that reads the Dependency column (or a Connect boards column) and draws every chain on the board as one graph. It is read-only and does not change dates. Background: see every dependency chain on a monday.com board.

FAQ

Can I use change_simple_column_value for a monday.com dependency?

No. The API reference says change_simple_column_value "is not supported for dependency columns". Use change_multiple_column_values with an item_ids array.

Why does the dependency column's value come back null?

value and text always return null for this column. Read linked_item_ids or linked_items through the DependencyValue fragment, or display_value for the names.

How do I find the items that depend on a given item?

Use items_page on the board with a rule on the dependency column, operator: any_of and the item's id as compare_value. It returns direct dependents only.

Does the API return finish-to-start or start-to-start?

No. The relationship type is configurable in the UI but not exposed by the API today.

Does adding a dependency through the API keep the existing ones?

Only if you send them. An update replaces the whole list, so read the current ids, append, and send the full array.