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How to Fix Wrong Date Format in Microsoft Project for the Web
Question details
Users are encountering an issue where Project for the Web displays dates in the wrong format and ignores the designated Regional Format settings.
- Product
- Microsoft Project for the Web
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to view or input project dates in a specific format, such as day-month-year (DD/MM/YYYY), instead of the default month-day-year (MM/DD/YYYY).
- Observed behavior
- Project for the Web uses the selected display language to determine the date format instead of honoring the explicit Regional Format settings.
Ensure you have access to your Microsoft 365 account settings and note your preferred date format (e.g., DD/MM/YYYY vs. MM/DD/YYYY).
Change Microsoft 365 Display Language
Adjusting the display language to a specific regional variant forces Project for the Web to adopt the corresponding date format.
Since Project for the Web currently maps date formatting to the Display Language rather than Regional Settings, using a regional English option is the most effective workaround.
Log in to your Microsoft 365 portal and click on your profile picture in the top right corner, then select 'View account'.
In the left-hand navigation pane, click on 'Settings & Privacy'.
Under the 'Language and region' section, locate 'Display language'. Click 'Change display language' and select 'English (United Kingdom)' for a DD-MM-YYYY format, or 'English (United States)' for MM-DD-YYYY.
Save your changes, then refresh your browser and reopen Project for the Web to verify the date format has updated.
Submit a Support Ticket via Microsoft 365 Admin
If changing the display language does not resolve the issue across browsers and Teams, a backend tenant configuration check is required.
Manage Projects Effortlessly with WPS Office
If you are frustrated by formatting bugs in specialized web tools, consider managing your project timelines and trackers offline or via cloud with WPS Spreadsheet. As a comprehensive office suite, it gives you complete control over date formats and formulas without unexpected regional overrides.
- 1. Download and Install: Download WPS Office and install it on your device.
- 2. Open Spreadsheet: Launch WPS Spreadsheet to begin a new project document.
- 3. Use Project Templates: Click 'New' and search for 'Gantt Chart' or 'Project Management' in the template library.
- 4. Customize Formatting: Right-click any date cell, select 'Format Cells', and apply your precise date format.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Project for the web ignore my regional date format?
Currently, Project for the Web uses the selected Display Language of your Microsoft 365 account to dictate the date format. It bypasses the specific Regional Format settings, which acts as a systemic quirk or bug.
How can I force a DD/MM/YYYY date format in Microsoft Project for the Web?
To get a day-month-year layout, change your Microsoft 365 account's Display Language to a regional English setting that uses this format by default, such as British English or Australian English.
Will changing the display language affect my other Microsoft 365 apps?
Yes. Changing the Display Language in your account settings will update the user interface language and default date/time formatting rules across your other connected Microsoft 365 web apps like Word, Excel, and Outlook.
