Others

How to Add Milestones in Project Plan 3 Timeline View

Emma Brown Oct 1, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to know how to create and display milestones in the Timeline view of Project Plan 3 and whether comments can be added directly to the timeline.

How to Add Milestones in Project Plan 3 Timeline View

Product: Microsoft Project Plan 3
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Tracking project progress and highlighting key dates or deliverables in a visual timeline.
Observed behavior: Users need the correct method to convert standard tasks into milestones and require clarification on why comments cannot be added to the Timeline view.

Before you start

Ensure you have access to Microsoft Project Plan 3 (also known as Planner Premium or Project for the Web) and have an active project schedule open.

Solution 1Recommended

Create a Milestone by Setting Task Duration to Zero

The standard method for creating a milestone in Project Plan 3 is by setting the duration of a task to exactly 0 days. The system will automatically format it as a milestone.

In Project Plan 3, milestones are used to mark significant events or goals within your project schedule. Unlike standard tasks that span across a period, milestones have zero duration.

By default, the Timeline view natively supports and displays these milestones as diamond icons once configured correctly.

Open your project task list

Navigate to your project in Project Plan 3 and open the Grid or Timeline view.

Select or create a task

Click on the task you wish to convert into a milestone, or click 'Add new task' to create a new one.

Set duration to 0 days

Locate the 'Duration' column for the selected task and type '0 days' into the field.

View in Timeline

Switch to the Timeline view. The task will now automatically display as a milestone indicator on your project timeline.

Create a Milestone by Setting Task Duration to Zero

Timeline Comment Limitations: Please note that Project Plan 3 does not support adding comments directly to the Timeline view. Comments and notes must be added within the task's individual details pane.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Manage Projects Easily with WPS Spreadsheet Gantt Charts

If you are looking for a flexible and free way to manage project timelines without an expensive Project Plan 3 subscription, WPS Office is an excellent lightweight alternative. You can easily create project timelines, track milestones, and add unlimited comments directly to your spreadsheet cells.

1. Open WPS Spreadsheet: Launch WPS Office and click on 'Spreadsheet' to start a new document.
2. Find a Project Template: Click on 'New', navigate to the Template library, and search for 'Gantt Chart' or 'Project Plan'.
3. Customize Your Timeline: Select a template, input your task details, mark milestones, and freely insert comments on any cell by right-clicking and selecting 'Insert Comment'.

Completely free and lightweight alternative to Microsoft OfficeFully compatible with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx) files for seamless sharingAccess to hundreds of free project management and Gantt chart templatesAdd notes and comments directly to any timeline cell without limitations

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add comments to the Timeline view in Planner Premium?

No, Planner Premium (formerly Project for the Web) does not currently support adding comments directly to the Timeline view. You must open the specific task details to add or view comments.

Why is my task not showing as a milestone?

A task will only appear as a milestone if its duration is set exactly to 0 days. Check the task's duration field to ensure it hasn't accidentally been set to 1 day or a fraction of a day.

Are milestones displayed by default in Project Plan 3?

Yes, once a task's duration is changed to 0 days, Project Plan 3 automatically recognizes it as a milestone and displays it in the Timeline view by default.

Office Quick Solutions