How to Print or Export a Timeline from Project for the Web
Question details
Users need to find a way to print or export a timeline or Gantt chart from Project for the Web, despite the lack of robust built-in printing features.
- Product
- Microsoft Project for the Web
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to create a printable document or share a visual project timeline with stakeholders who do not have access to the application.
- Observed behavior
- Project for the Web does not currently provide a full built-in timeline printing workflow comparable to the desktop Gantt chart view.
Ensure your project tasks, dates, and dependencies are fully updated before exporting, as the resulting file will be a static snapshot of your timeline.
Export the Timeline to PDF
Use the available PDF export option to create a document that can be adjusted and printed.
Since Project for the Web lacks a native desktop-style print button for timelines, exporting to PDF is the primary workaround provided by Microsoft. This generates a file you can print using standard PDF readers.
Navigate to Microsoft Project for the Web and open the specific project you wish to print.
Click on the 'Timeline' tab at the top of the project view to display the Gantt chart.
Click on the 'More actions' menu (the three dots usually located in the top right corner) and select the option to export the timeline to a PDF document.
Open the downloaded PDF file in your preferred PDF viewer. Access the print settings to adjust scaling, select landscape orientation, and ensure the timeline fits neatly on the page before printing.
Use Power BI for Advanced Reporting and Printing
Connect your project data to Power BI to gain full control over the layout, sharing, and printing of your timelines.
Easily Adjust and Print Your Exported PDFs with WPS Office
If you are using Microsoft Project for the Web and exporting your timelines to PDF, you need a reliable PDF reader to ensure they print correctly. WPS Office is a free, lightweight Microsoft Office alternative that includes a powerful built-in PDF reader and editor, giving you perfect layout control for all your exported charts and documents.
- 1. Download and Install: Download WPS Office for free from the official website and follow the simple installation prompts.
- 2. Open Your Exported Timeline: Launch WPS PDF and open the timeline file you exported from Project for the Web.
- 3. Print with Perfect Layout: Click Print, select Landscape orientation, and use the 'Fit for printing' option to ensure your entire Gantt chart looks perfect on paper.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why doesn't Project for the Web have a native print button?
Project for the Web is designed as a modern, cloud-centric application. Microsoft currently focuses on digital sharing and PDF exporting rather than traditional desktop-style printing features.
Can I export my Project for the Web timeline to Excel?
You can export the task grid data to Excel using the 'Export to Excel' feature, but this only exports the rows and columns of data, not the visual Gantt chart timeline.
How do I make my printed timeline fit on one page?
The best method is to export the timeline to a PDF first. Then, open the PDF in a viewer (like WPS PDF), open the Print dialogue, set the orientation to Landscape, and choose 'Fit to Page' or 'Custom Scale' to ensure it all prints on a single sheet.
Will Microsoft add better printing features to Project for the Web?
Microsoft regularly updates its cloud applications based on user feedback. It is recommended to check the official Microsoft 365 Roadmap for upcoming features related to reporting and printing in Project for the Web.
