Microsoft Project Tips and Tricks
Its hard to believe that Microsoft Project has been around since 1984 and it’s still going strong throughout companies of all sizes. Here are some of my favorite Microsoft Project Tips and Tricks to help you improve your Microsoft Project skills. As an FYI, there are 2 different versions of the Microsoft Project Desktop application: Microsoft Project Standard Desktop version that is used on its own and the data is stored in an .mpp file and the Microsoft Professional version can be used with Microsoft Project Online or Project Server for an enterprise solution where the files are synchronized in a database. The majority of articles and videos will work with both but I will call out features that are specific to the Professional version also.
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Understanding Finish Variance and Other Variance Fields in Microsoft Project
Learn what Finish Variance means in Microsoft Project and how to interpret duration and cost variance using the Variance table—after properly baselining your schedule.
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What Is Effort-Driven Scheduling in Microsoft Project?
Learn what effort-driven scheduling means in Microsoft Project, how it affects work, duration, and assignments, and when you should use it.
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How to Create a 6-Day Work Week in Microsoft Project
Learn how to create a 6-day work week in Microsoft Project, including how to make Saturday a working day using project and task calendars.
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How to Add or Hide Columns in Microsoft Project (Desktop)
Learn how to add or hide columns in Microsoft Project (desktop), including why hiding a column doesn’t delete the field or its data.
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How to Hide Tasks in MS Project (Including Summary Tasks)
Discover how to hide tasks in MS Project, including summary tasks, so you can clean up your Gantt Chart and focus on what matters most.
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How to Print a Project Schedule: Step-by-Step Guide (Microsoft Project & PDF)
Struggling to prepare your project for printing or exporting to a PDF file? Learn how to print a project schedule step by step, achieving consistent and impressive results every time. Stick with me for the details! #ProjectManagement #PrintingTips
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Remove Resource Names from Gantt Chart in Microsoft Project (Step-by-Step)
Learn how to remove resource names from Gantt chart in Microsoft project in under 2 minutes. Step-by-step + video (works in Project 2016–Microsoft 365).
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Create a Milestone Task in Microsoft Project (2 Clicks)
In this blog post article, learn how to quickly create a milestone tasks in Microsoft Project in only two clicks of your mouse.
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How to Customize Microsoft Project Ribbon and Quick Access Toolbar
Learn how to import a ribbon and Quick Access Toolbar customization file into Microsoft Project in this blog post. I’ll guide you step by step!
Other Topic Areas
- microsoft project (84)
- Microsoft Project Planner (4)
- Project For the Web (10)
- Project Online (31)
- project professional (80)
- Project Server (32)
- project tips and tricks (80)
- project training (66)
Latest Microsoft Project Posts
- Understanding Finish Variance and Other Variance Fields in Microsoft Project
- What Is Effort-Driven Scheduling in Microsoft Project?
- How to Create a 6-Day Work Week in Microsoft Project
- How to Add or Hide Columns in Microsoft Project (Desktop)
- How to Hide Tasks in MS Project (Including Summary Tasks)
- How to Print a Project Schedule: Step-by-Step Guide (Microsoft Project & PDF)
- Remove Resource Names from Gantt Chart in Microsoft Project (Step-by-Step)
- Create a Milestone Task in Microsoft Project (2 Clicks)
- How to Customize Microsoft Project Ribbon and Quick Access Toolbar
- How to Enter Task Progress in Microsoft Project (Step-by-Step)
- How to Create Hammock Tasks in Microsoft Project: Updated for 2026
- How to Hide Tasks in Microsoft Project (Without Deleting – Quick Filter Method)
- Change the Owner in Project Online
- Create a Master Project in Microsoft Project Online or Project Server
- Import a Free Quick Access Toolbar and Ribbon
Dale Howard
Microsoft Project MVP “20 Years”
About Me
Hello there Microsoft Project lovers! I’m Dale Howard and I’ve been a Microsoft Project MVP (Most Valuable Professional) for 20 years in a row and I’m currently one of only 26 Project MVPs in the entire world. Pretty exciting, right!?
If you post a question about any of Microsoft’s PPM tools on the public message boards, look to see who the moderator or person that has answered the questions and you see, it’s frequently me answering your questions. Some people like to golf, I love Microsoft Project helping the community get to understand Microsoft Project much better.
I’ve been teaching students at all levels for over 20 years and have taught thousands of users around the world. I’ve written and co-authored 23 books on Microsoft Project, Project Online, and Project Server so if you’re like me and like to read over watching a video, you can Check Out My Books on Amazon.
For the people that like to watch videos, check out my YouTube channel. If you post a question in the comments, I’ll be happy to answer questions or create a new video to answer your question.
If you’ve got a question about Microsoft Project, Project Online or Project Server, check out some of these community post areas below where I am the moderator and have been answering questions on these message boards for over 20 years.
Microsoft Tech Community
Reddit Project Online Community
LinkedIn Project and Planner Group
My Students Include:
