How to Use Date Filters for Week, Month, Quarter, and Year in Microsoft Project
Question details
Users want to know how to filter tasks and milestones by specific timeframes (such as next week, month, quarter, or year) and whether built-in phrases exist for these future periods.
- Product
- Microsoft Project
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Filtering project data by specific custom or future date ranges for accurate reporting and task management.
- Observed behavior
- Microsoft Project offers predefined filters for periods like "this week" or "this month," but users lack built-in text phrases for specific future dates like "next quarter" and need alternative methods to filter them.
Ensure your project's "Current Date" is set correctly in the Project Information settings, as Microsoft Project's built-in date filters rely on this reference point to calculate current weeks and months.
Use Built-in Date Filters for Common Periods
Utilize Microsoft Project's default filters for standard timeframes such as the current week or month.
Microsoft Project calculates the first and last days of the current week and month based on the Current Date field and your configured first day of the week setting. These are ideal for immediate task tracking.
Open your project file and click on the "View" tab located in the top ribbon.
In the "Data" group, click on the "Filter" dropdown menu to see a list of predefined filters.
Choose built-in options such as "Tasks Due This Week", "Milestones Due This Month", or "Tasks Starting Soon" to instantly filter your view.
Create a Custom Filter for Future Dates
When predefined phrases fall short for quarters, years, or "next week," build a custom filter using date fields and value prompts.
Manage Projects Efficiently with WPS Office
While Microsoft Project is built for complex project management, it can be costly and heavy. WPS Spreadsheet offers excellent free project management templates, Gantt charts, and seamless compatibility with Microsoft Excel formats for tracking your tasks, dates, and milestones effectively.
- 1. Download and install WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website to download the free office suite and install it on your device.
- 2. Open WPS Spreadsheet: Launch WPS Office and click on "Spreadsheet" to start a new workbook or open an existing Excel file.
- 3. Utilize built-in templates: Click on the "Templates" tab and search for "Project Management" or "Gantt Chart" to quickly set up a tracker with built-in date filtering capabilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I filter tasks by "Next Week" using a built-in phrase in Microsoft Project?
Microsoft Project does not have a default "Next Week" text phrase equivalent to "Today is". However, you can use the "Date Range..." filter to manually input next week's dates, or create a custom filter with a prompt.
How does Microsoft Project calculate "This Week" or "This Month"?
The software calculates these periods using the "Current Date" field (which defaults to your system clock unless manually changed in the Project Information settings) combined with your configured first day of the week setting.
How do I save a custom date filter for future use?
When you create a custom filter via View > Filter > More Filters > New, ensure you check the "Show in menu" box before saving. This saves the filter directly to your Filter dropdown for quick access in all future sessions within that project.
