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How to Create Microsoft Project Reports with Baseline and Custom Fields

Emma Brown Oct 19, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to create line-combination comparison charts in Microsoft Project using baseline dates and custom text fields to show schedule variance, but these fields are not readily available in the custom chart report designer.

How to Create Microsoft Project Reports with Baseline and Custom Fields

Product: Microsoft Project
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Creating a custom line-combination chart to compare planned versus actual project dates while including specific custom text fields.
Observed behavior: Custom chart reports in Microsoft Project do not expose every field available in a Gantt Chart, preventing the user from directly plotting baseline dates or mapping custom text fields.

Before you start

Ensure you have saved a baseline for your project so that the Baseline Start and Baseline Finish fields contain actual data rather than 'NA'.

Solution 1Recommended

Configure the Report's Task Data Source

Adjust the underlying data source of your custom chart in Project to include required baseline variance fields.

By default, not all task fields are added to new custom reports. You can manually expose built-in variance and baseline fields through the Field List pane to build your chart without leaving Microsoft Project.

Open the Report tab

Open Microsoft Project and navigate to the 'Report' tab on the top ribbon.

Access custom reports

Select 'New Report' or open your existing custom chart report from the menu.

Open the Field List

Click directly on the chart to open the Field List pane on the right side of the screen.

Add baseline fields

Under the task fields section, search for and check 'Baseline Start', 'Baseline Finish', and 'Finish' to include them in your chart data.

Custom Text Fields: Custom text fields may not work directly as chart series in Microsoft Project. Try using them as labels or categories instead.

Solution 2

Export Data Using Visual Reports to Excel

When Project's report designer lacks the specific combination of fields you need, exporting to Excel provides full charting flexibility.

Solution 3

Create a Custom Table and Export Manually

Manually structure a table with your exact required fields and copy it to a spreadsheet for chart generation.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Create Powerful Data Charts with WPS Spreadsheet

While Microsoft Project limits certain report fields, exporting your project data to a spreadsheet tool offers maximum flexibility. WPS Office provides a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative to Microsoft Excel for building complex line-combination charts and visualizing project variances.

1. Download WPS Office: Download and install the free WPS Office suite on your computer.
2. Open your project data: Launch WPS Spreadsheet and open the data file you exported or copied from Microsoft Project.
3. Insert a combination chart: Highlight your baseline and finish date columns, go to the Insert tab, and choose a line-combination chart to visualize schedule variances.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx) formats for seamless project data import.Advanced charting tools to easily build baseline and variance comparison charts.Free and lightweight office suite including Writer, Presentation, and Spreadsheet.Familiar user interface with no steep learning curve.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my custom text fields not showing in the Project chart report?

Microsoft Project's chart designer does not always support text fields as direct chart series. You can use them as chart labels or categories, or export your data to a spreadsheet application to include them more flexibly in your visualization.

How do I show schedule variance in a Microsoft Project chart?

To display variance, plot the 'Baseline Start' and 'Baseline Finish' dates as your planned values, and compare them against the 'Finish' date as your current value. You can also add 'Start Variance' and 'Finish Variance' fields if they are available in your data source.

Can I create a line-combination chart directly in Microsoft Project?

Yes, you can create combination charts, but you are limited by the fields exposed in the Field List. If you need a specific combination of baseline dates and custom text that Project restricts, exporting the task data to Excel or WPS Spreadsheet is the recommended workaround.

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