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How to Fix Microsoft Project Finish Date Not Updating Correctly

Ayan Masood Sep 27, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to resolve an issue where a task's finish date does not recalculate as expected after modifying the actual duration or remaining work.

How to Fix Microsoft Project Finish Date Not Updating Correctly

Product: Microsoft Project
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Updating project schedules by changing task durations or remaining work.
Observed behavior: The task keeps an unexpected finish date instead of automatically updating based on the new duration or work values.

Before you start

Ensure your project file is saved and temporarily change your date format to include times, which will make it easier to spot hidden scheduling discrepancies.

Solution 1Recommended

Verify Schedule Options and Calendar Settings

Check the global scheduling options and project calendar to ensure Microsoft Project calculates dates accurately based on your actual workweek.

Microsoft Project relies heavily on specific calendar settings and working hours to calculate finish dates. If your default 'Hours per day' setting conflicts with your project calendar, dates will not calculate as expected.

Change Date Format

Go to File > Options > General. Under 'Project view', change the 'Date format' to an option that includes the time (e.g., 1/28/02 12:33 PM) to monitor exact finish times.

Check Hours Per Day

Navigate to File > Options > Schedule. Verify that the 'Hours per day' and 'Hours per week' settings correctly match your intended working schedule.

Verify Project Start Date and Calendar

Go to Project > Project Information on the ribbon. Check that the correct 'Start date' is set and that the appropriate 'Calendar' is assigned to the project.

Review Working Time

Click Project > Change Working Time. Review your workweek settings (such as a standard five-day or six-day workweek) and ensure there are no unintended non-working days blocking the schedule.

Pro Tip: Taking a screenshot of the 'Change Working Time' dialog can help you track adjustments if you need to revert to a previous workweek structure later.

Solution 2

Adjust Task Type Settings

Ensure the individual task type is configured to allow the finish date to recalculate when duration or work changes.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the finish date not moving when I increase a task's duration?

This often occurs if the task has a 'Finish No Later Than' constraint applied or if the task type is strictly set to 'Fixed Duration'. You can adjust these parameters by double-clicking the task and checking the Advanced tab.

Does changing the project calendar automatically update all task finish dates?

Yes, modifying working hours, adding holidays, or extending the workweek in 'Change Working Time' will recalculate task dates automatically, provided the tasks are set to Auto Scheduled and lack specific date constraints.

What is the difference between Auto Scheduled and Manually Scheduled tasks?

Auto Scheduled tasks have their start and finish dates dynamically calculated by the software based on dependencies, calendars, and durations. Manually Scheduled tasks require manual date entry and will not automatically recalculate when project variables change.

How can I see the exact time a task finishes?

Go to File > Options > General, and in the 'Date format' dropdown menu, choose a format that displays both the date and the time. This helps identify situations where a task finishes in the middle of a working day.

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