How to Filter a Microsoft Project Burndown Chart by a Custom Field
Question details
The user needs to filter a Microsoft Project 2019 burndown chart using a custom field (such as Event1) to display the selected tasks as one combined line rather than individual task lines.
- Product
- Microsoft Project 2019
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Creating a burndown report for specific tasks tagged with a custom field.
- Observed behavior
- Applying a filter in the report view shows individual task lines or no burndown at all, unlike the Gantt chart view, because report fields and outline levels affect how data is aggregated.
Ensure your custom field is correctly populated for all relevant tasks and that you have saved a baseline for your project, as burndown charts require baseline data to calculate remaining work accurately.
Configure the Burndown Report with a Custom Filter and Outline Level
Apply your custom filter while adjusting the report's field list and outline level to consolidate the data into a single combined line.
Reports in MS Project process filtered data differently than Gantt Charts. To combine filtered tasks into a single burndown line, you must set the correct summary outline level so the chart aggregates the remaining work instead of plotting each task separately.
Open your project in Microsoft Project 2019, navigate to the 'Report' tab on the ribbon, select 'Dashboards', and click on 'Burndown' to generate the default chart.
Click anywhere on the burndown chart to reveal the 'Field List' task pane on the right side of your screen.
In the Filter drop-down menu within the Field List pane, select your custom field filter (e.g., your 'Event1' custom field).
Change the 'Outline Level' setting in the Field List to a summary level that encompasses all the filtered tasks. This forces the chart to sum up the remaining work into a single line rather than displaying individual tasks.
Remove any unnecessary fields from the 'Select Category' and 'Select Values' sections to clean up the chart. If necessary, click 'Edit' under the category section to adjust the timescale date range shown on the X-axis.
Manage Projects and Build Custom Charts Easily with WPS Office
While Microsoft Project is a dedicated tool, many users find its reporting logic complex. If you need a more flexible way to track task progress and build beautiful, customizable burndown charts, WPS Spreadsheet offers a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative. You can easily manage project data, apply custom filters, and use intuitive chart tools to visualize your team's progress without the steep learning curve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Microsoft Project burndown chart show individual task lines instead of one?
This happens when the chart's outline level is set to display detailed tasks. To fix this, click the chart to open the Field List pane and change the 'Outline Level' to a higher summary level that represents all your filtered tasks.
Why does my custom filter result in an empty burndown chart?
An empty chart usually means the filtered tasks have no baseline data saved, or the timescale categories are set to a date range where no work is scheduled. Ensure you have saved a project baseline (Project > Set Baseline) and that your chart timeline matches your actual task dates.
Can I build a combined burndown chart in Excel or WPS Spreadsheet?
Yes. You can copy or export your task data (including planned dates, remaining work, and actual work) to WPS Spreadsheet or Microsoft Excel. From there, you can easily use standard line charts to plot a custom burndown chart with total control over how the data lines are combined and displayed.
