MS Project 2010 - Default Calendar

Question

I have created a custom calendar that I want all new tasks to use.  New tasks automatically default to the Standard Calendar a.k.a. "None."  How can I set the default calendar so that any newly tasks automatically use my custom calendar?

Answer 1

PVR1,

Allow me to clarify calendars a bit.

There are three levels of calendars in Project - the Project calendar, task calendars (if different from the Project calendar), and individual resource calendars (if different from the Project or task calendars).

The Project calendar is set under Project > Properties group > Project Information > Calendar selection box. All tasks and resources will use this calendar unless otherwise specified. The "unless otherwise specified" for tasks is determined by the Task Calendar field or as seen in the Task Information window. A "none" means the task follows the Project calendar. The "unless otherwise specified" for resources is determined by the Base Calendar field on the Resource Sheet. Whether or not a resource calendar is applied to a specific task is determined by the option setting "Scheduling ignores resource calendars" under the Advanced tab of the Task Information window.

When you create a custom calendar and make it the Project calendar, it will appear as "My Calendar (Project Calendar)".

The calendar used for the Gantt Chart display is by default the Standard calendar. You can change that by double clicking on the Gantt timescale to bring up the Timescale windows and selecting the "Non-working time" tab. Select the desired calendar. Note that you can only use one calendar for the Gantt display.

If you have an existing project (i.e. tasks already being executed) but you want to change the calendar for all new tasks, there are a couple of ways to do that but the easiest is probably to first set the task calendars for all existing tasks to the current calendar (i.e. change "none" to the current calendar). Even though this would be redundant at the moment it will be necessary after the next step. Once all existing tasks are set for the original calendar, then change the Project calendar to the new calendar.

Hope this helps.

John

Answer 2

You have not said what you did next with the new calendar that you created.

I will assume that you created the calendar by project, change working time, and then copied the standard calendar and modified the copy.

Now you must make this the project calendar in project, project calendar, ie drop the list and replace the standard calendar with yours instead.

Now all tasks use the new project calendar as default, even though when you double click on the task and go to task information, advanced and it says "none". It does not really mean none. It means that the task gets the project calendar.

Note that any existing resources will still have the standard calendar as their base calendar, so you may need to go to the resource sheet and change their base calendars. New resources will get the new project calendar as their base calendar.

Any help?

Answer 3

Unfortunately, I am unable to share that particular file.  I do thank you for your assistance.

Phil

Answer 4

It seems that you are doing everything that needs to be done correctly. You are using MSP2010. I am using MSP2010.

So I am baffled. I think I have to see your file. Otherwise it is just guesswork. This my email address trevorATperfectproject.com.au

Answer 5

Thank you for your quick reply, Trevor.

Yes, I do (or attempt to) make my calendar the project calendar by selecting it from the "For calendar:" field in the "Change Working Time" window.  I select OK and that closes the "Change Working Time" window. After that, however, I open the "Change Working Time" window and "Standard (Project Calendar)" appears in the "For calendar:" field.  I understand that changing the project calendar this was makes the selected calendar the default calendar for new tasks even though when you double click on the task and go to task information, advanced and it says "none". For some strange reason, the "For calendar:" field continues to revert back to "Standard (Project Calendar)" even though I have selected a different calendar. What do you think?

Phil