Project custom columns - add your own task fields
Custom columns are extra fields on the task list, such as a client contact, a cost or a review date. You set them up per project in the settings dialog, and they appear as columns next to the standard ones.
At a glance
| What it is | Extra fields shown as columns on the task list for one project |
| Where to find it | Project header gear icon, then Custom Columns under Configuration |
| Who can use it | Owners, Admins, Project Managers and Team Leads. Members see the controls disabled |
| Saving | Automatic, each action applies at once |
| Plan | Locked on Free. Up to 3 per project on plans below Business. Unlimited on Business |
How do you add a custom column?
- Open the project and click the gear icon in the header.
- Choose Custom Columns. The heading reads “Custom Columns” with the line “Extra fields shown as columns on the task list for this project.”
- Click Add Column.
- Enter a Field title (required). Placeholder text is “Column title”.
- Choose a Type.
- Fill in any type options (below) and save.
You get “Custom column created successfully”. If something fails, you see “Failed to create custom column”. With no columns yet, the list reads “No custom columns yet”.
Which field types can you choose?
| Type | Use it for | Options |
|---|---|---|
| People | Picking team members | None |
| Text | Free text | None |
| Number | Amounts, counts, percentages | Unformatted, Percentage, With Label, or Formatted with Decimals. A preview shows as you choose |
| Date | Deadlines and milestones | None |
| Selection | A fixed list of choices | Add each choice with + Add a selection |
How many columns can you have?
| Plan | Add Column |
|---|---|
| Free | Shown with a crown icon. Clicking it opens the upgrade prompt |
| Pro | Up to 3 per project, then the upgrade prompt |
| Business | No limit |
Once you hit the cap the button explains “Custom field limit reached. Upgrade to add more.” A pop-up adds: “You have used all … custom fields available on your plan. Upgrade to add unlimited custom fields to your projects.” See upgrade your plan.
How do you edit, hide or delete a column?
Click the gear button at the end of a column’s row.
| Action | What it does |
|---|---|
| Edit the Field title or type options | Saves with “Custom column updated successfully” |
| Hide from task list | Takes the column off the task list without deleting it. The same toggle then reads Show in task list |
| Delete | Asks “Are you sure you want to delete this custom column?” |
What does deleting a column do?
Deleting removes the column and everything stored in it. The confirmation says it plainly: “This action cannot be undone. All data associated with this column will be permanently deleted.” If you only want it out of sight, use Hide from task list instead.
Example
A design agency adds a Selection column called “Approval” with Draft, Sent and Approved, and a Number column “Hours quoted” using With Label. They are on Pro, so one slot is left. Later, they hide “Hours quoted” once billing moves elsewhere, keeping the data.
Best practices
- Decide on your columns before adding any, because the type cannot be changed later.
- Use Selection for values you want to stay consistent, because everyone picks from the same list instead of typing variations.
- Hide a column rather than delete it when unsure, because deletion permanently removes its data.
- Count your columns against the plan, because plans below Business stop at 3 per project.
- Ask a lead to manage columns, because Members cannot change them from this dialog.