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How to Change Microsoft Project Date Format from US to UK

John Wilson Oct 9, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to change the date format in Microsoft Project from the default US format to the UK format.

How to Change Microsoft Project Date Format from US to UK

Product: Microsoft Project
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Managing project schedules and timelines where dates need to reflect the standard UK format (DD/MM/YYYY).
Observed behavior: Microsoft Project continues to display dates in the US format, despite the user's system language and regional settings being configured for the United Kingdom.

Before you start

Ensure you have saved all active project files and have administrative access to your Windows system settings, as you may need to restart the application after modifying regional formats.

Solution 1Recommended

Adjust Date Format in Project Desktop Options

Use the built-in application settings to force Microsoft Project Desktop to display your preferred regional date format.

By default, Microsoft Project attempts to inherit your system's region settings. However, it also has internal formatting options that dictate how dates are displayed in the Project View. Adjusting this specific setting is usually the quickest fix for desktop users.

Open Microsoft Project Options

Launch the Microsoft Project desktop application. Click on the 'File' tab in the top-left corner of the ribbon, and select 'Options' from the bottom of the left-hand menu.

Navigate to General Settings

In the Project Options dialog box, ensure that the 'General' tab is selected on the left pane.

Select the UK Date Format

Locate the 'Project view' section. Click on the 'Date format' drop-down list and choose the required UK date format (for example, DD/MM/YYYY).

Apply and Save

Click 'OK' to apply the changes. Your Gantt charts and task lists should immediately update to reflect the new format.

Adjust Date Format in Project Desktop Options

Application Scope: This setting applies to how dates are viewed in the current and future projects on your local desktop application.

Solution 2

Verify and Update Windows Region Settings

Correct underlying Windows regional settings to ensure Microsoft Project receives the proper UK format parameters from the operating system.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Microsoft Project file keep reverting to the US date format?

This typically occurs if the project file was originally created by a user with US regional settings, or if your Windows system region is secretly defaulting to US English after an update. Ensure both your application and system settings are strictly set to the UK.

Does changing the date format in Project Desktop affect other users?

Usually, no. Date formatting in Microsoft Project is a local viewing preference. If you send the file to a colleague in the US, the dates will automatically adapt to display in their local US format based on their computer's regional settings.

How do I fix the date format in Project for the Web?

If you are using the web version rather than the desktop application, date formats are controlled by your Microsoft 365 account profile settings. You must change your regional and language settings directly within your Microsoft or SharePoint account preferences.

Can I set a custom date format that isn't listed in the Project drop-down?

Microsoft Project populates its 'Date format' drop-down based on the standard formats provided by your Windows OS. To use a highly specific custom format, you must first configure a custom 'Short date' format within the Windows Control Panel.

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