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How to Display Baseline Slippage in Microsoft Project Online

Algirdas Jasaitis Oct 20, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to know how to view schedule slippage compared to a saved project baseline in Microsoft Project Online.

How to Display Baseline Slippage in Microsoft Project Online

Product: Microsoft Project Online
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Tracking project progress and identifying any variance or slippage against the original schedule.
Observed behavior: Needs to display baseline slippage in Project Online, while recognizing that Project for the web currently lacks this capability.

Before you start

Verify that you are using Microsoft Project Online and not Project for the web, as Project for the web does not currently support saved baselines for tracking slippage.

Solution 1Recommended

Use the Tracking Gantt View and Variance Table in Project Online

Apply the built-in tracking features in Project Online to compare your current schedule against your saved baseline.

Microsoft Project Online allows you to compare current project dates with saved baselines to identify any schedule slippage. Note that Project for the web is a separate application that currently does not support saved baselines, so you must use the full Project Online application for this task.

Open your project

Launch Microsoft Project and open your project file connected to Project Online.

Select Tracking Gantt view

Navigate to the 'View' tab on the ribbon, click on the 'Gantt Chart' dropdown, and select the 'Tracking Gantt' view.

Apply the Variance table

Still on the 'View' tab, click on 'Tables' and choose 'Variance' from the dropdown list. This will replace your standard entry columns with variance columns.

Review schedule slippage

Compare the 'Baseline Start' and 'Baseline Finish' columns against the actual dates. The 'Start Var.' and 'Finish Var.' columns will display the exact slippage in days.

Use the Tracking Gantt View and Variance Table in Project Online

Licensing Notice: A subscription for Project for the web does not automatically grant access to Project Online. Check your specific Microsoft Project plan details to ensure you have the required licenses.

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While Microsoft Project offers advanced enterprise tracking, WPS Office provides a lightweight, free alternative for project management. You can easily create Gantt charts and track project schedules using WPS Spreadsheet, which offers seamless compatibility with Microsoft Excel formats.

1. Open WPS Spreadsheet: Launch WPS Office and click on 'Spreadsheet' to open a new workspace.
2. Find a project template: Click on 'New' and search for 'Gantt Chart' or 'Project Tracking' in the built-in template library.
3. Customize your schedule: Select a template and input your project tasks, start dates, and durations to visualize your timeline effortlessly.

Free, lightweight, and easy to use for everyday project managementHigh compatibility with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx) formatsBuilt-in templates for Gantt charts and project trackingFamiliar user interface with no learning curve required

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why can't I see baseline slippage in Project for the web?

Project for the web is a streamlined application that currently does not support saved baselines. To track baseline slippage, you need to use the more robust Microsoft Project Online platform.

Does my Project for the web subscription include Project Online?

Not necessarily. Licensing and availability depend on the specific Microsoft Project plan you purchased. You may need to upgrade your plan to access Project Online features.

How do I save a baseline in Microsoft Project Online before tracking slippage?

To save a baseline, navigate to the 'Project' tab, click 'Set Baseline', select 'Set Baseline', and apply it to either the entire project or selected tasks. You must do this before you can track any variances.

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