Reorder levels of a factor without changing order of values

Use the levels argument of factor:

df <- data.frame(f = 1:4, g = letters[1:4])
df
#   f g
# 1 1 a
# 2 2 b
# 3 3 c
# 4 4 d

levels(df$g)
# [1] "a" "b" "c" "d"

df$g <- factor(df$g, levels = letters[4:1])
# levels(df$g)
# [1] "d" "c" "b" "a"

df
#   f g
# 1 1 a
# 2 2 b
# 3 3 c
# 4 4 d

some more, just for the record

## reorder is a base function
df$letters <- reorder(df$letters, new.order=letters[4:1])

library(gdata)
df$letters <- reorder.factor(df$letters, letters[4:1])

You may also find useful Relevel and combine_factor.