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Fix Microsoft Project Inactive Tasks Not Showing Strikethrough

Bushra Parveen Sep 30, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to restore the strikethrough and dimmed text formatting for inactive tasks in Microsoft Project.

How to Fix Microsoft Project Inactive Tasks Not Showing Strikethrough

Product: Microsoft Project
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Marking tasks as inactive within the Gantt Chart view of a project.
Observed behavior: The Gantt chart bar turns from blue to white, but the task text does not appear dimmed and lacks the expected strikethrough formatting.

Before you start

Before modifying your view settings or exporting files, ensure you save a backup copy of your current Microsoft Project file, as resetting views may remove customized formatting.

Solution 1Recommended

Reset the Gantt Chart View to Default Settings

This is the most effective solution to fix corrupted view settings that prevent strikethrough formatting on inactive tasks from displaying properly.

Microsoft Project relies on specific view settings to display formatting changes. When these settings become corrupted or are accidentally altered, default formatting behaviors like the strikethrough effect on inactive tasks may stop working.

Access the View Menu

Navigate to the Gantt Chart view menu in your Microsoft Project ribbon.

Reset to Default

Select the 'Reset to Default' option from the dropdown or view settings menu.

Confirm the Action

Confirm the reset action when prompted. Check your task list to see if the strikethrough formatting has been restored to the inactive tasks.

Reset the Gantt Chart View to Default Settings

Solution 2

Save the Project File as XML and Reopen

If resetting the Gantt chart view does not work, exporting the project to XML can clear underlying file corruptions causing the formatting glitch.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why do inactive tasks in Microsoft Project not show a strikethrough?

This usually happens due to a corrupted Gantt Chart view or when custom text styles override the default formatting for inactive tasks in the project file.

How do I mark a task as inactive in MS Project?

Select the task you want to deactivate, navigate to the Task tab on the ribbon, and click the 'Inactivate' button located in the Schedule group.

Will resetting the Gantt Chart view delete my project data?

No. Resetting the view only restores the default layout and formatting settings. Your project tasks, resources, dependencies, and scheduling data will remain completely intact.

Can I manually apply strikethrough formatting to tasks instead?

Yes. You can manually apply it by selecting the task row, right-clicking to choose 'Font', and then checking the 'Strikethrough' box under the Effects section.

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