Recent Discussions
MS Project Master file won’t allow Duration/Deadline edits
I’m troubleshooting an unusual issue with a long-standing Microsoft Project Master/consolidated file containing multiple linked subprojects. After replacing one subproject with its latest monthly version, certain fields within that subproject cannot be edited from the Master file. Specifically, I cannot edit fields such as Duration or Deadline, while other fields, such as Text and Baseline fields, can still be edited normally from the Master. I’m sensing the theme has to do with fields that require calculation. More context: This issue arrived after we migrated MPP files from a cloud server to an on-prem server. Previous month’s Cloud server MPP file works fine in the Consolidated environment The master file creates the issue when I replace the cloud-based MPP with the current month on-prem version. Troubleshooting completed: The subproject works normally when opened directly. I created a brand-new blank MPP to use as the Master file and inserted the exact same subproject. Duration and Deadline are editable through the new Master. In the new consolidated file and repeated the normal download from on-prem/replacement process. Everything works correctly. The problem therefore appears to follow the existing Master MPP, rather than the subproject. F9/recalculation does not resolve the issue. The existing Master has been used for a long time and contains multiple inserted/linked subprojects and external relationships. Important constraint: I want to avoid rebuilding the Master or use a repair method that regenerates existing task UIDs. A higher-level consolidated schedule relies on the existing UIDs.
In Task Usage or Resource Usage, is it possible to summarize hours by group through Custom Fields?
For example, in Project Professional's Task Usage or Resource Usage, if I use a Custom Field such as Text1 to group tasks and resources, can I then display summarized hours by group in the left-side timesheet column and in the Detail Styles on the right-side time scale?
Calendar View in SharePoint Project Sites
In Project Server, a SharePoint site is created for each project. On that SharePoint site, there's a list of late tasks and upcoming tasks. There is also a Calendar view, but it looks like you have to manually add items to the calendar. How do I make it so that this Calendar will automatically be populated with Upcoming Tasks as shown on the SharePoint web page for each project?
How to download MS Project Plans along custom fileds including data
I have Project plans in project online. I am opening the plan in ms project, custom fields data is getting loaded. But when i try to save the file in local desktop, schedule data is saving but custom fields data is not coming only column names are coming. How to save the file along with task level custom fields with data in local desktop
Can anyone do this?
It’s a spreadsheet for construction activity sprints. I saw one in a work group and am trying to recreate it, but I haven't had any luck so far. I imagine it involves a formula; if it were manual, it would be a real hassle to have to enter the days of the week in the columns. If anyone knows how to set this up and could send me a file to study, I’d be very grateful!
MS PROJECT 2019 UPDATE and Purchasing Options
HI We are currently using Microsoft Project Professional 2019 desktop version, but we are facing challenges with its reporting limitations. Specifically, the software can only display a maximum of 75 rows in its reports. As our weekly reports often exceed this limit, we find ourselves spending considerable time on manual entries. For our monthly reports, we can manage the filtering process to avoid this limitation, but the weekly reports require a hierarchical structure to display task statuses, and unfortunately, there is no workaround for this constraint. While researching this issue, I found discussions indicating that the 2025 version of Microsoft Project can display up to 150 rows, which would help us address our challenges. I have a couple of questions: 1. Does the new version of Microsoft Project 2025 indeed support the display of up to 150 rows? 2. What is the best approach for upgrading: subscription or standalone? 3. Could you provide pricing information and tell us where we can obtain it? Thank you! Best regards, Teshome HPU PMO OfficeEmbedded Object Keeps Returning
At some point, while working with Kidasa's Milestones Professional, I must have copied one of the charts I was working and pasted it into the Gantt section of my Project file as a drawing. I have deleted it countless times, but it always comes back whenever I close and reopen the program. It was initially attached to a timescale but I'm able to change the timescale or attach it to a task, with those changes remaining after closing and reopening the program. The chart is depicting an older version of the Milestones Professional file, rather than what it looks like currently, so it doesn't seem to be actively linked to the other file, if that's even possible with these embedded drawings. I've tried closing down the program and restarting the computer before reopening, and I've wanted to try to clear my cache, but the option to do so is greyed out. Any insights would be helpful. This isn't the end of the world, but it's annoying.Project Server Column Header/Gantt Chart misalignment
We are using On-Premises Project Server, and in all views (Project, Project Center, Resources, etc.), the Column Headers are larger than normal, so that the bar in the Gantt Chart does not align with the project/task/resource associated with it. The browser we are using is Edge but I switched to Chrome and had the same issue. Does anyone know what causes this and how to fix it?Schedule Level of Detail for Metrics and Task Management in Project
What is a best practice for achieving the proper level of detail in MS Project Schedules? I work in a manufacturing environment, where most tasks are ultimately driven by product delivery dates, but with each product, there are multiple steps involving different trades and departments at each step. In a schedule, the lowest level of detail needs to have task dependencies and resources assigned, however, this is usually a Level 3 "middle ground" level of detail (not too broad and not too specific), representing a window of a few days or a few weeks in which a certain group of steps needs to be completed so we can move to the next stage in the process. Each of these steps/tasks often need to be broken down into daily (or sometimes portions of a day) for the actual assigning and managing of tasks in the organization. Each of these subtasks could have multiple people working on them at different points. Obviously, the dates for these detailed task management assignments should dynamically move as the schedule is updated, but including too much detail in MS Project schedules is problematic when trying to update progress, especially with multiple resources assigned to a short-duration task. It almost seems that you should be able to assign task dependencies and resources to tasks at a certain level, then you should be able to break those tasks down into subtasks for the day-to-day managment of tasks, but this will cause your scheduling metric tools to go haywire. Has anyone experienced this challenge and what did you do to be able to break down your schedule into task management-level detail while still maintaining a coherent schedule which people can understand, and which meets the industry-standard schedule metrics of task dependencies, resources, and critical path traceability?
Project Accelerator de Microsoft
I am running some tests with the Project Accelerator tool. I assigned a Planner Plan 1 trial license based on the documentation and previous guidance. At the beginning of February 2026 everything was working correctly, and I was able to view tasks inside the Project Accelerator application. However, as of today (February 25, 2026), the task view no longer loads, and I receive a Microsoft authentication error. It seems as if the system is now blocking access to the plan view even though the Planner Plan 1 license is still active. My question is: Have the licensing requirements changed recently?Project Server Error when exporting to a Pivot Table using Visual Reports
Since migrating all our schedules to on-premises Project Server last year, we are getting an error message when trying to export a schedule to a pivot table using Viusal Reports. The error reads: "An error occurred and the requested action could not be completed at this time." This doesn't happen on 100% of our schedules, but the vast majority of them. What causes this error and how do we fix the issue?Is there a way to graphically highlight all of the tasks under a summary?
Looking to create what would essentially be a coloured background for all of the tasks in the gantt chart, under a summary. Been looking online and watching tutorials, but cant find what I am looking for. The image shows what I am trying to do (was done after the fact with a PDF reader, would prefer to do it straight in MS project).Project Changing % Complete when entered
Why does MS Project change the % Complete value entered? We have a task with a Start date of 11/12/25 and Finish date of 1/20/27. The duration is 223.9 days based on a 4 day/10 hrs per day calendar (it is a long lead time material procurement task). The status date is 1/5/26 and the task has an Actual Start of 11/12/25. When I enter 10 in the % complete column and hit enter, Project changes this to 0%. When I enter 15 in the % complete column and hit enter, Project changes this to 5%. When I enter 50 in the % complete column and hit enter, Project changes this to 44%. I believe % Complete is either calculated or entered, but it seems if you enter a value in this field, Project shouldn't change it. What causes Project to change your % Complete value entered, and how do you get Project to display the desired % Complete for a task like this?Link Procurement Tasks to deliver Just-In-Time without using up slack?
In MS Project, what is the recommended way to link procurement tasks such that the duration is the lead time of the material, the task "finishes" (material delivers) when needed by the subsequent task, and we know when to "start" the task (order material)? If we link the procurement task to the subsequent task with Finish-Start and As Late As Possible, and the subsequent task has total slack (float), this will push the subsequent task back in the schedule and use up its float. If we use Start-Finish, the dates line up but the procurement task doesn't drive the subsequent task as it should (if procurement gets behind schedule, it won't push the subsequent task). If we use the "deadline" feature, we are still tying ourselves to a date rather than letting the schedule dynamically determine when we need to order materials. What is the correct way in MS Project to schedule the ordering of materials so that delivery occurs just-in-time as determined by the scheduled start of the subsequent task?
Recent Blogs
- Project 2016 and Project 2019 will reach end of support on October 14, 2025.Oct 14, 2024
- One of my favourite features in Project Online, and Project Server, has been the portfolio features that allow you do match your plan portfolio against your business drivers to ensure you are gaining...Sep 25, 2024
