How to Display Task Names on Gantt Chart Bars in Project Online
Question details
The user wants to display task labels directly on or beside the Gantt chart bars in the Project Web App, matching the functionality available in the desktop version.
- Product
- Microsoft Project Online
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Customizing Gantt chart views in Project Web App (PWA) for better online project tracking and presentation.
- Observed behavior
- The option to show task names next to Gantt chart bars is missing in Project Online, despite being available in the Microsoft Project desktop application.
Verify that you have the appropriate permissions to modify views in the Project Web App (PWA) and ensure you understand the feature differences between Project Online and the desktop application.
Submit a Feature Request via the Microsoft Feedback Forum
Since Project Online natively lacks this formatting feature, the official recommendation is to support the ongoing feature request for future implementation.
Unlike the Microsoft Project desktop application, Project Online (PWA) currently does not have the built-in functionality to display task names directly on or next to Gantt chart bars.
Microsoft heavily relies on user feedback to prioritize new features. Voting for this specific capability increases the likelihood of it being added in future updates.
Open your web browser and navigate to the official Microsoft Project feedback portal.
Use the search bar to look for the existing feature request titled 'Text on PWA Gantt Chart Bars'.
Click the 'Vote' button to add your support to the request, helping Microsoft prioritize this visual customization for PWA users.
Track Projects Efficiently with WPS Office
If Microsoft Project Online's formatting limitations are slowing you down, WPS Office provides a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative. With WPS Spreadsheet, you can easily create and customize detailed Gantt charts using built-in templates, giving you complete control over your project labels and visual tracking without browser-based restrictions.
- 1. Open WPS Spreadsheet: Launch WPS Office and open a new Spreadsheet document.
- 2. Search for Gantt Chart Templates: Click on 'New' and use the template search bar to type 'Gantt chart' to browse professionally designed project tracking templates.
- 3. Customize Task Names: Select a template, input your data, and freely format the chart to display task names directly on or next to the progress bars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I display task names on Gantt bars in the Microsoft Project desktop app?
Yes. In the Project desktop application, you can right-click the Gantt chart, select 'Bar Styles', and use the 'Text' tab to assign task names to the left, right, top, bottom, or inside of the Gantt bars.
Is there any third-party add-in to show labels on PWA Gantt charts?
While some third-party reporting tools and custom Power BI dashboards integrate with Project Online to offer advanced visualizations, the native PWA browser views do not currently support third-party visual formatting add-ins directly on the Gantt chart bars.
How do I export my Project Online data to Project Desktop to format the Gantt chart?
You can open your enterprise project from the Project Web App directly into Project Professional by clicking 'Open In Microsoft Project' from the ribbon interface. Once opened on your desktop, you can apply your preferred Gantt chart bar styles and export the view.
