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Why Use Actual Start and Actual Finish Dates in Microsoft Project

Maira Mehtab Sep 28, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user wants to understand the purpose and benefits of using Actual Start and Actual Finish dates in Microsoft Project compared to planned dates.

Product: Microsoft Project
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Tracking project progress and schedule variances during the execution phase.
Observed behavior: Differentiating between planned baseline dates and the actual dates when project work began and concluded.

Before you start

Before updating actual dates, ensure your project baseline has been saved so you can accurately compare your planned schedule against real performance.

Solution 1Recommended

Track Project Progress with Actual Dates

Record actual dates to calculate schedule variance and remaining duration accurately without overwriting your original plan.

Actual Start and Actual Finish fields record exactly when a task began and ended. Keeping these distinct from planned Start and Finish dates allows Microsoft Project to calculate schedule variance, remaining duration, and task progress.

Do not overwrite planned dates with actual dates. Maintaining both sets of values enables a direct comparison between the baseline plan and actual performance, which is vital for analyzing delays and improving future project estimates.

Enter Actual Start Date

When a task begins, open the task details or tracking view and input the specific date into the Actual Start field rather than changing the scheduled Start date.

Enter Actual Finish Date

Once the work is completed, record the exact completion date in the Actual Finish field. Microsoft Project will automatically update the task progress to 100% and recalculate the schedule for any dependent tasks.

Baseline Preservation: Always keep your planned dates intact. This allows you to compare the original baseline plan with actual execution to properly analyze schedule variances.

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While Microsoft Project is powerful for complex tracking, you can easily manage project schedules, track actual start and finish dates, and collaborate with your team using the free and lightweight WPS Office suite. Enjoy high compatibility with Microsoft formats and seamless migration for your everyday tracking needs.

1. Open a Project Template: Launch WPS Spreadsheet and select a blank workbook or search for a built-in project management template.
2. Set Up Tracking Columns: Create dedicated columns for Task Name, Planned Start, Planned Finish, Actual Start, and Actual Finish.
3. Monitor Variances: Use built-in formulas to calculate schedule variance (e.g., Planned vs Actual) and track task progress visually.

Easily track project start and finish dates using customizable WPS Spreadsheet templates.High compatibility with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx) formats for sharing project plans with stakeholders.Free, lightweight, and easy-to-use Office suite for everyday project management tasks.Familiar user interface that requires no steep learning curve.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Start/Finish and Actual Start/Actual Finish?

Start and Finish represent the current planned or scheduled dates for a task. Actual Start and Actual Finish represent the real-world dates when work actually commenced and concluded.

Will entering an Actual Start date change my planned Start date?

Entering an Actual Start date may update the current scheduled Start date if they differ, but it will not overwrite your Baseline Start date as long as you have properly saved a baseline for your project prior to execution.

How does Microsoft Project use Actual Finish dates?

When you enter an Actual Finish date, Microsoft Project automatically marks the task as 100% complete and recalculates the schedule for any dependent successor tasks based on the actual completion.

Why shouldn't I just overwrite the planned dates with actuals?

Overwriting planned dates destroys your original schedule baseline. Keeping planned and actual dates separate is crucial for variance analysis, tracking delays, and learning how to estimate future projects more accurately.

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