# Set the severity field

It is possible to configure the `severity` field with the `set-severity()` rewrite function. When configured, the `set-severity()` rewrite function will only rewrite the `$SEVERITY` field in the message to the first parameter value specified in the function.

Note If the parameter value is not a valid parameter value, the function ignores it and sends a debug message, but the AxoSyslog application still sends the message. 

## Declaration
```
    rewrite <name_of_the_rule> {
        set-severity("severity string or number");
    };
    
```

## Parameters

The `set-severity()` rewrite function has a single, mandatory parameter that can be defined as follows:
```
 
    set-severity( "parameter1" );
    
```

## Accepted values

The `set-severity()` rewrite function accepts numeric values, named values, and aliases. Aliases are available in AxoSyslog version 4.6 and later.

Numerical Code | Named Value | Alias  
---|---|---  
0 | `emerg` | `SYSLOG_SEVERITY_CODE(0)`  
0 | `emergency` | `SYSLOG_SEVERITY_CODE(0)`  
0 | `panic` | `SYSLOG_SEVERITY_CODE(0)`  
1 | `alert` | `SYSLOG_SEVERITY_CODE(1)`  
2 | `crit` | `SYSLOG_SEVERITY_CODE(2)`  
2 | `critical` | `SYSLOG_SEVERITY_CODE(2)`  
2 | `fatal` | `SYSLOG_SEVERITY_CODE(2)`  
3 | `err` | `SYSLOG_SEVERITY_CODE(3)`  
3 | `error` | `SYSLOG_SEVERITY_CODE(3)`  
4 | `warning` | `SYSLOG_SEVERITY_CODE(4)`  
4 | `warn` | `SYSLOG_SEVERITY_CODE(4)`  
5 | `notice` | `SYSLOG_SEVERITY_CODE(5)`  
6 | `info` | `SYSLOG_SEVERITY_CODE(6)`  
6 | `log` | `SYSLOG_SEVERITY_CODE(6)`  
7 | `debug` | `SYSLOG_SEVERITY_CODE(7)`  
  
## Example usage for the set-severity() rewrite function

The following examples use the `set-severity()` rewrite function.

Using a named value:
```
 
    rewrite {
        set-severity("info");
    };
    
```

Using a numeric value:
```
 
    rewrite {
        set-severity("6");
    };
    
```

Using a template:
```
 
    rewrite {
        set-severity("${.json.severity}");
    };
    
```

Last modified April 9, 2025: [Rewrite-related formatting fixes and title shortenings (07c928a3)](<https://github.com/axoflow/axosyslog-core-docs/commit/07c928a36247e7d98c8d00726187c3afdbc96875>)