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Fix Project Online Custom Fields Missing from Formula Field Picker
Question details
Users are unable to locate enterprise custom fields in the Insert Field list when trying to create a formula field in Project Online.
- Product
- Project Online
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Creating a new formula field and attempting to select an existing enterprise custom field from the Insert Field dropdown menu.
- Observed behavior
- The custom fields do not appear in the Insert Field list in the formula editor, even though they are successfully created and visible in the enterprise custom fields configuration.
Ensure that the enterprise custom fields have been completely saved, published, and applied to your Project Online configuration before attempting to use them in formulas.
Manually Enter Custom Field Names in the Formula Editor
Bypass the missing Insert Field list by typing the custom field names directly into your formula using square brackets.
Even when custom fields fail to display in the graphical interface of the field picker, the backend system still recognizes them. You can force the system to calculate the formula by manually writing the exact field name.
Navigate to your Project Online enterprise custom fields configuration and open the formula editor for the specific field you are trying to calculate.
Instead of using the 'Insert Field' dropdown, type the exact name of your custom field enclosed in square brackets. For example, type `[Urgency (1-10)]` directly into the text box.
Finish writing the rest of your mathematical or logical formula and click save. The system will validate and recognize the manually entered field.
Escalate Tenant-Wide Issues to Microsoft Support
If the manual workaround fails or the issue spans across all projects and users, escalate the synchronization bug to Microsoft Support.
Track Project Data Effortlessly with WPS Office
If you are tired of dealing with synchronization glitches and missing fields in browser-based project management tools, consider tracking your project metrics using spreadsheets. WPS Office provides a free, highly compatible, and lightweight Office suite that allows you to build custom project trackers and complex formulas without cloud-based errors.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free WPS Office suite to your computer.
- 2. Export Your Data: Export your current project lists and data from Project Online into an Excel format.
- 3. Manage Projects Seamlessly: Open your project data in WPS Spreadsheet to use its robust formula capabilities for calculating custom project metrics.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are my enterprise custom fields not showing in the Insert Field list?
This is a known synchronization or display glitch in Project Online where newly created or updated enterprise fields sometimes fail to populate in the formula editor's dropdown menu.
Can I still use a custom field in a formula if it doesn't appear in the picker?
Yes, you can bypass the picker entirely by manually typing the exact name of the custom field enclosed in square brackets, such as [Field Name], directly into the formula box.
How can I tell if this is a system-wide bug?
If you verify that the issue persists across multiple different projects and other colleagues are also unable to see the fields in their Insert Field list, it indicates a tenant-wide backend issue rather than a simple user error.
