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How to Change Priority Values in Project for the Web

Maira Mehtab Sep 21, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to know if it is possible to customize or replace the default Priority values (Urgent, Important, Medium, and Low) in Microsoft Project for the web.

Product: Microsoft Project for the web
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Customizing task management fields in a project plan to align with specific team terminologies.
Observed behavior: The application only offers fixed default values for the Priority field without providing settings to change, add, or replace them.

Before you start

Verify that you are viewing the default 'Priority' column in your grid view and not a custom choice column, as behavior and limitations differ between built-in and user-created fields.

Solution 1Recommended

Understand the Limitation and Submit a Feature Request

Currently, the default Priority values cannot be modified. The recommended action is to submit or vote for a feature request on the Microsoft Feedback Portal.

As of the current version, Microsoft Project for the web has hardcoded the default Priority values to Urgent, Important, Medium, and Low. There are no built-in administrative settings or user preferences to edit, replace, or add custom choices to this specific default field.

If your team relies on different terminology for task prioritization, you will need to rely on alternative methods such as creating a custom choice field, or submit feedback to Microsoft to request this functionality.

Open the Microsoft Feedback Portal

Navigate to the official Microsoft Feedback Portal for Project using your preferred web browser.

Search for existing requests

Type 'change priority values' or 'custom priority field' in the search bar to find existing community requests regarding this limitation.

Vote or submit a new request

Click the 'Vote' button on existing requests to increase their visibility, or click 'Send feedback' to create a new post detailing your specific use case for custom priority values.

Alternative Workaround: While you cannot change the default Priority field, you can click 'Add column' in your grid view, select 'Choice', and create a brand new custom column with your own priority labels (e.g., Critical, High, Normal).

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Manage Your Projects Effectively with WPS Office

If you are frustrated by the limitations of restricted custom fields in other software, WPS Office provides highly customizable Spreadsheet templates for project tracking. It is a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative to Microsoft Office that gives you full control over your project data.

1. Download and Install: Download WPS Office for free from the official website and install it on your computer.
2. Open a Project Template: Launch WPS Spreadsheets, navigate to the Template library, and search for 'Project Management' or 'Task Tracker'.
3. Customize Priority Fields: Open your chosen template and freely edit the dropdown lists or data validation rules to match your exact priority terminology.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I create a custom priority field instead of using the default one in Project for the web?

Yes. In the grid view, you can click 'Add column', select the 'Choice' data type, and create a new custom field. You can then define your own priority labels and colors for that specific column.

Will changing a custom priority field update the built-in priority filters?

No. Built-in filters, sorting logic, and default board views that rely on the standard Priority field will not automatically recognize or integrate with your newly created custom choice field.

Is Microsoft planning to allow custom priority values in the future?

Microsoft regularly monitors the Feedback Portal for user suggestions. While there is no official release date for this specific feature, highly upvoted requests are often evaluated by the product team for future updates.

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