How to use custom statuses in ClickUp
Add a custom status such as In review to a ClickUp List: open Task statuses, turn on custom statuses, name the new status, apply it, then pick it on a task.
Quick answer
To use custom statuses in ClickUp, open the List menu, choose Task statuses, switch to Use custom statuses, add a status under the Active group, name it, and select Apply changes. The new status then appears in the status picker on every task in that List, next to the defaults.
Steps at a glance
- Open the List menu and choose Task statuses
- Select Use custom statuses
- Add a status in the Active group
- Type a name for the status
- Select Apply changes
- Pick the new status from a task's status menu
Interactive demo
Summary
Custom statuses let each ClickUp List follow its own workflow instead of the default To Do, In Progress and Complete. You set them per List from the List menu, so a content team can add a review stage without changing other Lists.
Step-by-step guide
Step 1
Open Task statuses
Hover the List in the sidebar and select the three-dot menu next to it. In the menu that opens, choose **Task statuses**. A dialog titled **Edit Content calendar statuses** opens for that List.
Step 2
Choose custom statuses
The dialog starts on **Inherit from Space**, which means the List uses its Space's statuses. Select **Use custom statuses** to edit this List on its own.
Step 3
Add a status
Statuses are grouped under Not started, Active, Done and Closed. Under Active, select **Add status** to create a new row and a color picker.
Step 4
Name the status
Type the name of your status, for example In review, and press Enter. It appears in the Active group next to In Progress.
Step 5
Apply the changes
The template now reads **Custom (edited)**. Select **Apply changes** to save the new status to the List.
Step 6
Pick the new status on a task
Open the status circle on a task, such as **Change status for Review blog draft**. The menu now lists the new status under Active, so select it to move the task there.
Why this matters
You publish content that needs a second pair of eyes before it ships, but every task jumps straight from In Progress to Complete. Adding a review status gives your team a visible hand-off stage, so nothing goes out unchecked.
Frequently asked questions
Does a custom status change every List?
No. It applies to the List whose statuses you edited. Other Lists keep inheriting from their Space unless you change them.
Which group should a new status go in?
The dialog groups statuses as Not started, Active, Done and Closed. A review stage fits under Active because work is still in progress.
Related guides
Continue with more step-by-step guides for getting work done.
How to set task status in ClickUpChange a task's status in ClickUp from its list row. Open the status menu, pick a new status, and watch the task move to its new group.
How to use list view in ClickUpGroup tasks by Priority, show or hide columns such as Status, and open a task from the List view in ClickUp to keep a project list easy to scan.
How to access the editor in a ClickUp DocOpen a ClickUp Doc from the sidebar, start writing, use the slash command menu to add a heading, and format selected text with the toolbar.
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