Fix Microsoft Project Showing the Wrong Year in Calendar Views
Question details
The user needs to understand why project tasks are displaying under the incorrect year on the calendar view and how to resolve the timeline display mismatch.
- Product
- Microsoft Project
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Viewing project timelines, schedules, and task dates in the Calendar or Gantt chart view.
- Observed behavior
- Tasks occurring late in the calendar year (such as after August 2021) are incorrectly displayed as occurring in the following year (2022).
Verify the actual start and finish dates of your tasks in the standard task list table to ensure the underlying data is correct before modifying any visual timescale settings.
Adjust the Fiscal Year Start Month in Schedule Options
Change the project's fiscal year start month to January to align the timescale with the standard calendar year.
Microsoft Project alters timeline displays based on corporate fiscal year configurations. If your organization's fiscal year starts in a month other than January (e.g., September), Project will label the timescale with the fiscal year, causing late-year standard calendar dates to appear under the next year.
Click on the 'File' tab located in the top-left corner of the ribbon, then select 'Options' at the bottom of the navigation menu.
In the Project Options dialog box, click on the 'Schedule' tab in the left-hand sidebar.
Scroll to the section labeled 'Calendar options for this project'.
Find the 'Fiscal year starts in' dropdown menu. Change the selected month (which may be set to September or another late-year month) to 'January'.
Click 'OK' to save your changes. Return to your Calendar or Gantt Chart view to verify that the tasks now display under the correct calendar year.
Manage Project Timelines Easily with WPS Office
If Microsoft Project feels too complex or expensive for your team, try WPS Office. It provides a free, lightweight alternative with highly customizable spreadsheet templates to manage project timelines, Gantt charts, and schedules without confusing fiscal year display issues.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Install WPS Office for free on your Windows, Mac, or mobile device.
- 2. Open the Template Library: Launch WPS Spreadsheet and browse the built-in template library from the homepage.
- 3. Create a Project Schedule: Search for 'Project Schedule' or 'Gantt Chart' to instantly generate a professional, easy-to-read timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Gantt chart timescale show the wrong year?
If your timeline shows the wrong year, your timescale is likely configured to use the fiscal year instead of the calendar year. You can fix this by double-clicking the timescale header and unchecking the 'Use fiscal year' option.
Does changing the fiscal year start month affect my actual task dates?
No. Changing the fiscal year start month in Microsoft Project only alters how the years are displayed visually on the timescale and in reports. The underlying start and finish dates of your tasks remain completely unchanged.
Can I use a fiscal year for reports but still display calendar months in my view?
Yes. You can keep your project's fiscal year starting in a non-January month (via File > Options > Schedule) for accurate financial reporting, while explicitly formatting your visual timescale labels to ignore the fiscal year setting.
