How to assign action items with mentions in Confluence
Assign a Confluence action item by inserting Action item, writing the outcome and selecting the assignee through an @mention.
A plain mention draws attention; an action item creates work the assignee can track under Tasks. Use one accountable person for a concrete result, such as confirming the launch rollback owner.
Step-by-step guide
Choose an actionable outcome
Write what completion means before adding the task. “Review launch” is ambiguous; “Confirm rollback owner and link the runbook” gives the recipient a visible result to deliver. Keep unrelated actions in separate items.
Insert the tracked action
In the editor, type [] or select Action item from the toolbar. Enter the outcome, then type @ and select the intended person from the suggestions. Check the selected account rather than leaving a typed name that is not a real mention.
Publish and confirm the assignment
For a page, publish the change and ask the recipient to check their Tasks and source content. The person receives a notification, with email depending on subscription and trial conditions. Do not use email arrival alone as evidence that assignment succeeded.
Close the loop at the source
When the outcome is delivered, link the runbook beside the action and mark the item complete. Keep any explanation of a changed owner or missed dependency in the source discussion so the checkbox has useful context.
Common mistakes
Confusing repeated mentions with reminders
Confluence does not send a fresh notification for every subsequent mention on the same page. Use an explicit follow-up or share the content when attention is needed.
Sources and verification
Based on product documentation checked on 2026-11-04. This is a documentation-based guide, not a hands-on benchmark. Features and availability can change.