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How to Fix Summary Task Constraints After Asta Powerproject Export

Khadija Khan Sep 30, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users need to correct summary task constraints that are incorrectly modified after exporting an MPP file from Asta Powerproject into Microsoft Project.

Fixing Incorrect Summary Task Constraints After Asta Powerproject MPP Export

Product: Microsoft Project
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Importing or opening an MPP project file in Microsoft Project that was generated by an Asta Powerproject export.
Observed behavior: Summary tasks default to a 'Start No Earlier Than' constraint instead of the standard 'As Soon As Possible' constraint, which restricts dynamic schedule calculations.

Before you start

Before modifying task constraints in bulk, ensure you save a backup copy of your imported MPP file so you can easily revert changes if the project schedule shifts unexpectedly.

Solution 1Recommended

Manually Correct Constraint Types Using the Summary Tasks Filter

This is the most direct and safest method to update all summary tasks to the correct constraint type simultaneously without affecting standard tasks.

By applying a built-in filter, you can isolate the affected summary tasks and adjust their properties in one go, avoiding the tedious process of editing them one by one.

Apply the Summary Tasks Filter

In Microsoft Project, navigate to the 'View' tab on the top ribbon. In the 'Data' group, click the 'Filter' dropdown menu and select 'Summary Tasks' to hide all subtasks.

Select All Summary Tasks

Click the top-left cell of the table (above the row numbers) or drag your cursor to highlight all the visible summary tasks in your project.

Open Task Information

Right-click anywhere on the selected tasks and choose 'Information' from the context menu, or simply press 'Shift + F2' to open the Multiple Task Information dialog box.

Change the Constraint Type

Go to the 'Advanced' tab in the dialog box. Locate the 'Constraint type' dropdown menu, select 'As Soon As Possible', and click 'OK' to apply the change.

Clear the Filter

Return to the 'View' tab, open the 'Filter' dropdown menu again, and select '[No Filter]' or 'All Tasks' to restore your complete project view.

Manually Correct Constraint Types Using the Summary Tasks Filter

Schedule Recalculation: Once the constraints are set to 'As Soon As Possible', Microsoft Project will automatically recalculate the summary task dates based on their subtasks.

Solution 2

Automate Corrections with a VBA Macro

If you frequently import files from Asta Powerproject, using a VBA macro can instantly update all summary task constraints with a single click.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why do summary task constraints change when exporting from Asta Powerproject?

Different project management software tools handle task scheduling algorithms differently. Asta Powerproject's export mechanism translates its internal scheduling logic into Microsoft Project's MPP format, which often applies a 'Start No Earlier Than' constraint to summary tasks to preserve specific date boundaries.

Can I prevent this constraint issue during the Asta export process?

Currently, this is a known behavior associated with the MPP export function in Asta Powerproject. The most reliable method is to perform a post-import cleanup in Microsoft Project to fix the constraints.

What happens if I leave the constraints as 'Start No Earlier Than'?

Leaving the constraints as 'Start No Earlier Than' on summary tasks can severely restrict your schedule's flexibility. It prevents Microsoft Project from automatically bringing forward summary task dates when predecessor tasks are completed ahead of schedule.

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