Others

How to Track Project Changes in MS Project Desktop and PWA

WPS Content Manager Sep 27, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to track and review weekly scheduling changes and updates in Microsoft Project Desktop and Project Web App (PWA).

How to Track Project Changes in Project Desktop and PWA

Product: Microsoft Project Desktop and PWA
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Tracking weekly scheduling updates and reviewing task modifications over time for project management.
Observed behavior: Microsoft Project Desktop and Project Web App do not provide a built-in, simple notification-style history for tracking every weekly scheduling change.

Before you start

Before making comprehensive changes to your project schedule, ensure you have saved a backup copy of your current project file to prevent accidental loss of previous scheduling data.

Solution 1Recommended

Use the Compare Projects Tool with Dated Copies

Manually save a dated copy of your project file each week so you can compare it against the current version using the built-in Compare Projects tool.

Since Project Desktop lacks an automatic notification-style history, keeping periodic static copies of your project is the most reliable way to monitor scheduling shifts.

Save a dated copy

At the end of your week, go to 'File' > 'Save As' and save a copy of your project file with the current date appended to the filename (e.g., ProjectName_Oct12.mpp).

Open your updated project

After a week of making scheduling updates, open your latest active project file in Project Desktop.

Run the comparison tool

Navigate to the 'Report' tab on the ribbon (or 'Project' tab in older versions) and select 'Compare Projects'.

Select the previous version

In the dialog box, browse for and select the dated copy you saved last week. Click 'OK' to generate a detailed comparison report showing all added, deleted, and modified tasks.

Use the Compare Projects Tool with Dated Copies

Tip: The Compare Projects report will generate a visual Gantt chart showing the differences, making it easy to identify shifted timelines.

Solution 2

Set and Reset Weekly Baselines

Reserve a baseline and reset it weekly before making updates to track variance between planned and actual schedules.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Track Your Projects Easily with WPS Spreadsheet

While Microsoft Project is powerful, it can be overly complex for teams that just need simple scheduling and tracking. WPS Office provides a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative. Use WPS Spreadsheet to track project changes, maintain version history, and collaborate seamlessly using familiar formats.

1. Open WPS Spreadsheet: Launch WPS Office and open a new Spreadsheet to start building your project tracker.
2. Enable Track Changes: Go to the 'Review' tab and click 'Track Changes' to automatically highlight any schedule updates made by your team.
3. Save in Excel Format: Save your project tracker in .xlsx format to ensure seamless compatibility with Microsoft Office users.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx) formats for easy project sharing.Free and lightweight alternative for project tracking and task management.Built-in track changes and version history features for collaborative spreadsheets.Familiar, easy-to-use interface with no steep learning curve.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Project for the web have a built-in task history feature?

Yes, unlike Project Desktop and PWA, some modern versions of Project for the web include a built-in task history feature that automatically tracks changes made to the schedule.

Can I get automated notification-style history in Project Desktop?

No, Project Desktop and Project Web App do not currently provide a simple, automatic notification-style history for every schedule change. You must rely on manual comparisons or baseline tracking.

How many baselines can I save in Microsoft Project?

Microsoft Project allows you to save up to 11 different baselines (labeled Baseline, and Baseline 1 through 10) for a single project file, allowing you to capture multiple historical snapshots over the life of your project.

Office Quick Solutions