How to Edit Exported Microsoft Project Timeline PDFs to Change Dates and Add Logos
Question details
The user needs to modify an exported Microsoft Project timeline PDF to change date formats from US to UK, replace the percentage complete text with working days, and insert a company logo.

- Product
- Microsoft Project Online / PDF Document
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Customizing and formatting a generated timeline PDF report for regional audience presentation and company branding.
- Observed behavior
- The exported PDF natively displays US date formats and completion percentages, lacking the desired UK date format, working days data, and company branding.
Ensure you have a professional PDF editing application installed, as standard PDF readers only allow viewing and basic highlighting, not direct text and image manipulation.
Edit the PDF Directly Using a Professional PDF Editor
Directly modify the text elements like dates and percentages, and insert image files like logos into your exported PDF.
If the PDF was exported natively from Microsoft Project, the text elements are typically editable. A full-featured PDF editor allows you to rewrite text blocks and overlay image files without returning to the source software.
Launch your PDF editor software and open the exported Microsoft Project timeline document.
Navigate to the 'Edit' tab and click on 'Edit Text'. Click on the US formatted dates to manually change them to the UK format (DD/MM/YYYY). Similarly, select the percentage complete text boxes and overwrite them with the corresponding number of working days.
Still under the 'Edit' or 'Insert' tab, click 'Add Image' or 'Add Picture'. Browse your computer for your company logo file (e.g., PNG or JPG) and insert it.
Drag the logo to the desired location on the timeline header and resize it. Go to 'File' > 'Save As' to export the finalized document.

Adjust Formatting in Microsoft Project Before Exporting
Change date formats and display metrics natively in Microsoft Project before generating the PDF to minimize the need for manual post-editing.
Use WPS PDF Editor to Modify Exported Timelines
WPS Office includes a robust PDF editor that allows you to seamlessly modify text, change date formats, replace data labels, and insert company logos directly into your exported Microsoft Project documents.
- 1. Open your PDF: Launch WPS Office and click on 'PDF Edit' on the home screen to open your exported timeline PDF.
- 2. Edit the Text Elements: Select the 'Edit' tab and click 'Edit Text'. Click directly on the US dates to rewrite them in UK format, and update your percentage values to working days.
- 3. Add Your Logo: Click 'Add Picture' from the toolbar, select your company logo, and click anywhere on the document to place and resize it.
- 4. Save the Document: Click 'Save' or press Ctrl+S to apply your professional customizations to the final report.

Frequently Asked Questions
Can I edit text in any exported PDF document?
Yes, provided the PDF was exported as a standard text-based document and not flattened as a strict image. Most native exports from Microsoft Project or Office applications generate editable text that can be modified using a dedicated PDF editor.
Why does my exported timeline default to US date formats?
This usually happens because the regional settings in Microsoft Project Online, your browser profile, or your Microsoft 365 account are defaulted to US English. Updating your regional locale settings to the UK in the source software will correct future exports.
Is it better to edit the PDF or change the settings in Microsoft Project?
It is generally more efficient to change the view and regional settings in Microsoft Project so that all future exports are generated correctly. However, for immediate quick fixes or when adding graphic elements like custom logos, editing the PDF directly is highly effective.




