How to Use Calendar Days Instead of Workdays in Microsoft Project
Question details
The user needs to schedule a task's duration based on exact calendar days instead of standard working days, while keeping automatic scheduling and task dependencies intact.
- Product
- Microsoft Project
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Scheduling project tasks that naturally continue through weekends and non-working days (such as curing concrete or a waiting period) without being paused by the standard project calendar.
- Observed behavior
- By default, Microsoft Project schedules task durations using only the working days defined in the project calendar, skipping weekends and holidays.
Ensure your project file is open and you are currently viewing a task sheet view, such as the Gantt Chart, where the Duration column is visible.
Use Elapsed Days ('ed') in the Duration Field
Use the elapsed duration format to force Microsoft Project to count 24/7 calendar days instead of restricted working hours.
In Microsoft Project, you can easily bypass the standard working calendar by using elapsed time. By adding an 'e' before the duration unit, you instruct the software to count consecutive calendar days continuously, ignoring weekends, nights, and designated holidays.
Open your Gantt Chart view and click on the specific task you want to schedule using calendar days.
Click directly into the 'Duration' cell for that specific task.
Type your desired number of calendar days followed immediately by 'ed' (e.g., type '30ed' for 30 calendar days or '7ed' for 7 calendar days).
Press 'Enter' on your keyboard. Microsoft Project will automatically recalculate the finish date by counting straight through weekends and non-working days.
Manage Your Project Timelines Effectively with WPS Office
While Microsoft Project is built for heavy enterprise scheduling, you can efficiently plan projects, build Gantt charts, and track task durations for free using WPS Spreadsheet. WPS Office is a lightweight, fully compatible alternative to Microsoft Office that provides a familiar interface and premium productivity features at no cost.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free installer for your operating system.
- 2. Install and Launch: Follow the on-screen prompts to install the software, then open WPS Spreadsheet.
- 3. Use Project Templates: Navigate to the Template library, search for 'Gantt Chart' or 'Project Schedule', and start tracking your tasks immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'ed' stand for in Microsoft Project?
The 'ed' abbreviation stands for 'elapsed days'. It forces Microsoft Project to schedule the task continuously over 24-hour periods, counting consecutive calendar days rather than restricting the duration to your defined working hours.
Can I use elapsed time for duration units other than days?
Yes. You can use elapsed durations for any standard time unit by adding an 'e' in front of it. For example, use 'em' for elapsed minutes, 'eh' for elapsed hours, 'ew' for elapsed weeks, and 'emon' for elapsed months.
Will using elapsed days break my automatic scheduling?
No. Using elapsed days retains full compatibility with Microsoft Project's automatic scheduling engine. All successor tasks and predecessor dependencies will dynamically adjust based on the elapsed duration's recalculated finish date.
Why did my task finish date suddenly move up when I added 'ed'?
Because standard days only count working hours (e.g., Monday-Friday), a 10-day task spans two full weeks. A 10-elapsed-day (10ed) task includes the weekend, meaning it will finish two days earlier on the calendar than the standard work day calculation.
