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How to Copy a Custom Traffic-Light Status Field in Microsoft Project

Adam Davis Oct 12, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user wants to copy a custom 'Late' field with red and green traffic-light status indicators from an existing Microsoft Project plan to a new one.

How to Copy a Custom Traffic-Light Status Field in Microsoft Project

Product: Microsoft Project
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Standardizing project templates or reusing custom status indicator fields across multiple project plans.
Observed behavior: The user needs a method to duplicate a specific custom field containing graphical indicators into a different project file without recreating it from scratch.

Before you start

Ensure both the source Microsoft Project file containing the custom field and the destination project file are open before accessing the Organizer tool.

Solution 1Recommended

Use the Organizer Tool to Copy the Custom Field

The built-in Organizer dialog in Microsoft Project allows you to quickly transfer custom fields, views, and macros between active project files.

The Organizer is the standard method for managing and sharing custom elements in Microsoft Project. By copying the custom field, all underlying data configurations and graphical indicator rules will be transferred seamlessly.

Open Both Projects

Launch Microsoft Project and open both the project containing the custom field and the destination project where you want it copied.

Access the Organizer

Click on 'File' in the top ribbon, select 'Info', and then click on the 'Organizer' button.

Navigate to the Fields Tab

In the Organizer dialog box, click on the 'Fields' tab at the top to view all available custom fields.

Select the Source Project

In the drop-down list at the lower-left corner of the dialog, select the project that currently contains your custom traffic-light status field.

Copy the Field

Select the desired custom field from the list on the left, and click the 'Copy' button in the middle to transfer it to the destination project listed on the right.

Close and Save

Close the Organizer dialog and save your destination project to retain the newly copied custom field.

Use the Organizer Tool to Copy the Custom Field

Graphical Indicators Preserved: When copying a custom field via the Organizer, all associated graphical indicators and criteria (like the red and green traffic lights) are automatically carried over to the new project.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I copy multiple custom fields at once in Microsoft Project?

Yes, in the Organizer dialog's Fields tab, you can select multiple fields from the source list by holding down the Ctrl key while clicking each field, then click the Copy button to transfer them all simultaneously.

Why is the Organizer button grayed out?

The Organizer requires at least one project file to be open. If no projects are currently open in the Microsoft Project workspace, the Organizer option will be disabled.

How do I edit the criteria for the traffic-light indicators after copying?

Right-click the column header of the newly copied custom field, select 'Custom Fields', and click the 'Graphical Indicators' button. From there, you can modify the conditional criteria for the red, yellow, and green traffic lights.

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