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How to Fix the Reporting Tab Access Problem in Project Online

Maira Mehtab Sep 24, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is unable to access the Reporting tab in Project Online and cannot see resource commitments correctly in the Capacity Planning area.

Product: Project Online
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to view resource commitments in Capacity Planning and access the Reporting dashboard.
Observed behavior: The Reporting tab continuously reloads the page without opening. Additionally, resource engagements show 100% availability instead of actual commitments, and Manage Timesheets indicates no timesheets exist even after clearing the browser cache.

Before you start

Ensure you have access to a SharePoint or Project Online Global Administrator account, as resolving this issue requires elevated permissions to modify Project Web App (PWA) server settings.

Solution 1Recommended

Enable Project Permission Mode and Grant Administrator Access

This is the primary method to resolve Reporting tab access loops and resource visibility issues caused by insufficient application permissions in Project Online.

The continuous reloading of the Reporting tab and the inability to view resource commitments usually indicate a lack of proper administrative privileges. Switching the security management to Project Permission Mode allows for granular control over PWA groups, enabling administrators to assign the exact permissions needed.

Access PWA Settings

Log in to Project Online using an account with SharePoint or Project Online administrator privileges, click on the gear icon, and select 'PWA Settings'.

Enable Project Permission Mode

Under the 'Operational Policies' section, click on 'Additional Server Settings' and ensure that 'Project Permission Mode' is enabled for your environment.

Manage PWA Groups

Return to the main 'PWA Settings' page. Under the 'Security' section, click on 'Manage Groups'.

Assign Administrator Rights

Locate the built-in 'Administrators' security group, add the affected user to this group, and save your changes to grant them full Project Online application administrator permissions.

Permission Synchronization: It may take a few minutes for the new permission settings to synchronize across the server. Have the affected user clear their browser cache and log back in before testing the Reporting tab again.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the Reporting tab in Project Online keep reloading?

This continuous reloading loop typically occurs when the user attempting to access the page lacks the necessary Project Online application administrator permissions to view the reporting dashboard.

Why are resource commitments not showing in Capacity Planning?

Resource commitments may not appear if time-phased reporting is not configured correctly (it often needs to be set to Daily), or if the user viewing the data does not have the required permissions in PWA Settings to see enterprise resource allocations.

What is the difference between SharePoint Permission Mode and Project Permission Mode?

SharePoint Permission Mode uses standard SharePoint security groups to manage access, whereas Project Permission Mode provides more granular, customized security control specific to Project Web App (PWA), allowing administrators to define precise categories and permissions.

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