How to Change Working Times in Microsoft Project Without Rebuilding Tasks
Question details
The user needs to switch a Microsoft Project schedule between different working-time calendars (like standard and 7-day work weeks) without recreating existing tasks.
- Product
- Microsoft Project
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Adjusting project schedule timelines to reflect new working days, continuous work shifts, or updated company schedules.
- Observed behavior
- The goal is for the Gantt Chart to automatically recalculate the schedule according to the newly selected working-time settings without requiring manual task recreation.
Ensure all tasks in your project are set to 'Automatically Scheduled' rather than 'Manually Scheduled', as manual tasks will not adjust when the base calendar changes.
Update Base and Resource Calendars
Switch your project timeline seamlessly by configuring your project and resource calendars while using automatically scheduled tasks.
To switch between working time models (such as a standard 5-day week and a 7-day week) without recreating tasks, you must ensure your project relies on automated scheduling and correct base calendar assignments.
Select all tasks in your project that are manually scheduled and change them to 'Automatically Scheduled'.
Ensure you have two base calendars set up: a 'Standard' calendar for normal company hours and holidays, and a '7-Day Work Week' calendar for continuous work. Remove any task-specific calendars currently assigned.
Navigate to 'Project' > 'Project Information' and set the Calendar option to your desired base calendar (e.g., Standard or 7-Day Work Week).
If you have resources assigned to tasks, switch to the 'Resource Sheet' view. Change the 'Base Calendar' option for each individual resource to match the calendar you selected in the previous step.
Manage Project Schedules with WPS Spreadsheet
While Microsoft Project requires a specific license, WPS Office offers a free, lightweight suite with powerful Spreadsheet tools and built-in Gantt chart templates to help you track project timelines effortlessly.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Install WPS Office for free from the official website.
- 2. Open a Spreadsheet: Launch WPS Spreadsheet and go to the Templates library.
- 3. Use a Project Template: Search for 'Gantt' or 'Project Schedule' to quickly start planning and assigning tasks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why aren't my Microsoft Project tasks updating after changing the calendar?
If your tasks are set to 'Manually Scheduled', they will not automatically adjust when the base calendar changes. Select your tasks and change them to 'Automatically Scheduled' for the calendar updates to take effect.
Do I need to change resource calendars if I only change the project calendar?
Yes. If resources are already assigned to tasks, their individual Base Calendars in the Resource Sheet must also be updated to match the new project calendar. Otherwise, task scheduling will remain tied to the old resource availability settings.
What happens to task-specific calendars when I switch project base calendars?
Task-specific calendars override the global project calendar. To ensure your entire project follows the new working-time schedule, you should remove any task-specific calendars before applying the new settings.
