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How to Concatenate Text and Duration Fields in Months in Microsoft Project

WPS Editor Sep 30, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user wants to format a Microsoft Project Duration field to display as months and concatenate it with a Text field.

How to Concatenate Text and Duration Fields in Months in Microsoft Project

Product: Microsoft Project
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Creating custom formulas to combine an existing text string with a duration value expressed in months instead of the default raw minutes.
Observed behavior: Because Microsoft Project stores duration internally in minutes, directly concatenating the Duration field outputs a large minute value instead of the expected month format.

Before you start

Determine whether you need the output calculated in standard calendar months or strict working-time months, as this will change the formula you need to use.

Solution 1Recommended

Use the ProjDurConv Function for Standard Month Conversion

This method uses Microsoft Project's built-in conversion function to translate the raw duration minutes into standard month units before combining it with text.

The ProjDurConv function is the most reliable way to enforce a specific time unit in your formulas without manually calculating hours and days.

Access Custom Fields

Right-click on any column header in your Gantt Chart view and select 'Custom Fields' from the context menu.

Select a Target Text Field

In the Custom Fields dialog box, ensure the 'Task' radio button is selected. Choose an available Text field (e.g., Text11) where you want the final concatenated result to appear.

Open the Formula Editor

Click on the 'Formula...' button located under the Custom attributes section to open the editor.

Enter the Conversion Formula

Type the formula: [Text10] & " + " & ProjDurConv([Duration], pjMonths). Replace 'Text10' with whichever field contains your initial text. Click 'OK' to save and apply.

Use the ProjDurConv Function for Standard Month Conversion

Calculation Tip: The pjMonths constant ensures that the output is formatted strictly as months according to the project's base calendar.

Solution 2

Calculate Working Months Manually

If you need precise control over the definition of a working month (for example, strictly 20 working days per month), a manual mathematical conversion is necessary.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the Microsoft Project Duration field show as minutes in my formula?

Internally, Microsoft Project stores all duration values in minutes, regardless of how they are formatted to display on your screen. When you reference a Duration field in a formula, the software retrieves this raw internal minute data unless a conversion function is applied.

How can I convert MS Project duration to working days in a custom formula?

You can use the formula [Duration]/[Minutes Per Day] to convert the raw minute data into standard working days based on your specific project calendar settings.

Can I format the concatenated text to include additional spaces or words?

Yes. In the formula editor, you can use the ampersand (&) operator alongside text wrapped in quotation marks to insert spaces, symbols, or custom words. For example, adding & " months " will append the word 'months' to the end of your string.

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