TL;DR: You can change a task's status from Table view (right-click the task and select "Change status"), from Item view (click the Status dropdown), or from Board view (drag and drop the task to a different status column).
Hey Community! 👋
One of the most important things you'll do in Wrike every day is update your task statuses. It's the simplest way to keep your team in the loop on where things stand. Let's walk through exactly how to do it.
What Are the Default Task Statuses?
Wrike comes with five default statuses out of the box:
Status | What It Means |
|---|
New | A task you plan to work on but haven't started yet |
In Progress | A task you're currently working on |
Completed | A finished task |
On Hold | A task that's been postponed |
Canceled | A task that's no longer needed |
Please Note: A task can only have one status at a time.

How to Change a Task's Status
- Navigate to the folder, project, or space where your task is located.
- Right-click the task row.
- Hover over Change status.
- Select the new status from the list.
You can also click directly on the Status column in the task's row and pick a new status from the dropdown.Â
- Click on a task to open it in Item view (the panel that appears on the right side of your screen).
- Click the Status field near the top of the task.
- Select the status you need from the dropdown.
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Quick Tip: In the item view, click the checkbox in the task's status field to mark it as complete instantly.
 
- Click and hold the task card you want to update.
- Drag it to the column that represents the new status.
- Drop it. The status updates automatically.
You can also hover over a task card, click the three-dot menu, select Change status, and choose the new status from the dropdown.
 
Take It Further with Custom Workflows
Wrike's default statuses give you a solid starting point that works right out of the box. And when your team is ready, you can go even further by creating custom workflows (available on Business plans and higher).
Custom workflows let you design statuses that match your exact process - whether that's a content pipeline, a software release cycle, or a client onboarding flow.
📌 We'll cover exactly how to create and apply custom workflows in our next post: "How to create custom workflows in Wrike." Stay tuned!
Real-World Example
Let's say you're a marketing coordinator and you just finished writing a blog post. The task "Write Q3 Blog Post" is currently set to "In Progress." You open the task in Item view, click the status, and select Completed. Your project manager sees the update instantly, and the team knows it's ready for the next step!
Good to Know
- Who can change status? All users (including Collaborators, Contributors, or Viewers) on all account types can change tasks' statuses. On Enterprise and Pinnacle accounts, admins may further restrict this via User Type settings.
- Using a fixed workflow? You may only be able to move tasks to certain predesignated statuses. If a status seems missing, check with your admin.
- Minimum access required: You need at least a "Limited" access role on the task's parent space, folder, or project.
- Bulk updates: Select multiple tasks in Table view using the checkboxes, then click the Status button in the toolbar to update them all at once.
Learn More
The Wrike Help Center has detailed guides with screenshots for everything covered here:
🔗 Workflows in Wrike
🔗 Changing a Task's Status
🔗 Changing Task Status in Board View
Related Posts in This Series
📌 Need to set a deadline? Check out "How to Set a Due Date in Wrike".
📌 Need to assign someone to that task? Check out "How to Assign a Task in Wrike".
📌 Want to track your deadlines in one place? See "How to Find Work Assigned to You in Wrike".
Over to You
Which view do you use most often to update task statuses - Table, Board, or Item view? Share your preference below! 👇
