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Can You Customize Microsoft Planner Priority Labels?

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 868 views

Question details

Users want to know if it is possible to rename or edit the default task priority labels in Microsoft Planner, such as changing the label 'Important' to 'High'.

Product: Microsoft Planner
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Organizing team tasks and establishing a custom priority workflow
Observed behavior: Users are restricted to the default priority labels (Urgent, Important, Medium, Low) and are looking for a way to modify these default values to better fit their custom project needs.

Before you start

Review your current Microsoft Planner board and discuss with your team whether the default priority levels can be temporarily adapted or if an alternative tagging system is required.

Solution 1Recommended

Understanding Planner Limitations and Using Workarounds

Since Microsoft Planner does not support editing priority names out-of-the-box, you must rely on alternative methods like colored labels or community feedback.

Currently, Microsoft Planner does not provide a built-in feature for editing or renaming task priority values. The system hardcodes the priorities to Urgent, Important, Medium, and Low. However, you can achieve a similar organizational result by repurposing customizable colored labels.

Use Color-Coded Labels

Open your Microsoft Planner task card, click on the colored labels on the right side, and click the pencil icon to rename them. You can name these labels 'Critical', 'High', 'Normal', or any custom priority your team needs.

Filter by Custom Labels

Once your custom priority labels are applied to tasks, use the 'Filter' button at the top right of the Planner board to sort and view tasks based on your newly created custom priority tags.

Submit a Feature Request

Navigate to the Microsoft Planner Community feedback portal and submit a suggestion requesting the ability to customize default task priority values. Microsoft frequently monitors this portal for future updates.

Alternative Approach: Planner offers up to 25 customizable color labels per plan, making it an excellent workaround for detailed priority tracking without modifying the default priority field.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Manage Your Tasks with WPS Office

If Microsoft Planner's limitations are holding back your project management, consider building a fully customizable task tracker using WPS Spreadsheet. WPS Office is a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative to Microsoft Office that lets you dictate exactly how your workflows are structured.

1. Open WPS Spreadsheet: Launch WPS Office on your device and create a new blank spreadsheet.
2. Set up a Task Tracker: Create headers for Task Name, Assignee, Due Date, Status, and Priority.
3. Create Custom Priorities: Select your Priority column, navigate to Data > Data Validation, choose 'List', and type your exact custom priority levels separated by commas.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx) formats for easy task migration.Create 100% customizable priority dropdowns using Data Validation features.Free, lightweight, and easy to use across Windows, Mac, and mobile devices.Includes a massive library of free pre-made project management templates.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change 'Important' to 'High' in Microsoft Planner?

No, Microsoft Planner does not currently allow users to rename the default priority labels. The label 'Important' cannot be directly modified to say 'High'.

How many default priority levels are there in Microsoft Planner?

Microsoft Planner offers exactly four default priority levels for tasks: Urgent, Important, Medium, and Low.

What is the best workaround for custom priorities in Planner?

The most effective workaround is to use the customizable colored labels available on each task card. You can rename these labels to represent any specific priority level (e.g., 'Phase 1', 'Critical', 'Backlog') and filter your board by these tags.

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