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How to Display a Custom Microsoft Project Duration Column in Hours

Huma Ashraf Ch Oct 1, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to display project task durations strictly in hours using a custom column, avoiding the default duration unit settings.

How to Display Custom Duration Columns in Hours in Microsoft Project

Product: Microsoft Project
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Creating a custom column in a project schedule to independently display task durations in hours without affecting or inheriting the standard project-wide duration units.
Observed behavior: Microsoft Project normally forces custom duration fields to inherit the standard Duration unit (such as days), which prevents custom columns from displaying hours separately.

Before you start

Ensure you have your Microsoft Project schedule open and that you have the necessary permissions to add custom fields and define custom formulas within the project file.

Solution 1Recommended

Use the ProjDurConv Formula in a Custom Number Field

Convert standard duration values accurately into hours using the native project duration conversion formula.

This method converts the underlying duration data directly into hours without appending text. It is ideal when you need to use the resulting numerical data for further calculations.

Create a custom Number field

Right-click the column header area in your Gantt Chart view, select 'Custom Fields', and choose 'Number' from the Type dropdown menu at the top right.

Enter the conversion formula

Select an available number field (e.g., Number1), click the 'Formula...' button under Custom attributes, and input ProjDurConv([Duration], pjHours) in the formula box. Click OK.

Enable summary task calculation

To ensure summary tasks also display the calculated hours, go to the 'Calculation for task and group summary rows' section in the Custom Fields dialog and select the 'Use formula' option.

Use the ProjDurConv Formula in a Custom Number Field

Calculation Verified: By enabling the summary task calculation, your parent tasks will properly roll up and display the accurate total duration in hours.

Solution 2

Create a Custom Text Field for Formatted Display

Use this method if you want the custom column to explicitly display the text 'hours' next to the numeric value.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my custom duration field still show in days?

By default, custom duration fields in Microsoft Project inherit the standard Duration unit setting (often days). To display hours independently, you must bypass this by using specific calculation formulas like ProjDurConv in a Number field or formatting a Text field.

How do I include summary tasks in my custom duration formula?

When setting up your custom field formula in the Custom Fields dialog box, ensure you check the option for 'Use formula' located under the 'Calculation for task and group summary rows' section.

Can I change the default duration unit for the entire project instead of creating a custom column?

Yes, you can change the default duration unit for the whole project by navigating to File > Options > Schedule, and changing 'Duration is entered in' to Hours. Note that this will affect all standard duration fields across the entire project schedule.

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