Bulk update tasks on the task grid

Applies To: Project Operations Integrated with ERP, Project Operations Core

Use Bulk update on the task grid to apply the same change to multiple project tasks. Project managers can set task dates, update progress, or change resource assignments in one operation instead of editing each task separately.

Supported updates

The Edit tasks pane supports one update at a time. The following table explains which items you can change by using Bulk update.

Operation	What you can change
Start date	Set the same start date for the selected tasks.
Finish date	Set the same finish date for the selected tasks.
% Complete	Set the same progress value, from 0 through 100, for the selected tasks.
Assigned to	Replace existing task assignments or add resources to the existing assignments.

The scheduling service processes date and progress changes according to the project's existing scheduling rules. After you apply a date change, review the selected tasks and related tasks for schedule adjustments.

Prerequisites

• You must have permission to update the field that you select.
• You must select at least two tasks in the task grid.
• To update % Complete, every selected task must have effort and you must have permission to complete and partially complete tasks.
• To update Assigned to, you must have permission to create and delete task assignments.

Open multiple tasks on the Edit tasks pane

To open multiple tasks on the Edit tasks pane, follow these steps:

1. Open a project and go to the Tasks tab. Select multiple tasks by using Shift + Click for consecutive tasks or Ctrl + Click for non-consecutive tasks.
2. Select two or more tasks in the task grid.
3. Open the context menu for one of the selected tasks.
4. Select Bulk Update.

The Edit tasks pane opens and shows the number of selected tasks.

Note

If your selection contains a summary task, you can update only Start date. The Finish date, % Complete, and Assigned to options are unavailable because those values depend on the summary task's child tasks.

Set task dates

Use the date operations to assign one start or finish date to all selected tasks.

Set start dates

To set start dates, follow these steps:

1. In the Edit tasks pane, select Select an operation.
2. Select Start date.
3. Enter or select the date.
4. Select Apply changes.

The system applies the date to the selected tasks and recalculates the schedule according to existing scheduling rules. You can include summary tasks when you update the start date.

Set finish dates

To set finish dates, follow these steps:

1. In the Edit tasks pane, select Select an operation.
2. Select Finish date.
3. Enter or select the date.
4. Select Apply changes.

The system applies the finish date to the selected tasks and recalculates the schedule according to existing scheduling rules.

Important

You can't update the finish date when the selection contains a summary task. Remove summary tasks from the selection and try again.

Update task progress

To update task progress, follow these steps:

1. In the Edit tasks pane, select Select an operation.
2. Select % Complete.
3. Enter a value from 0 through 100.
4. Select Apply changes.

The system sets the same progress value on all selected tasks.

Note

% Complete is unavailable if a selected task is a summary task, a selected task has no effort, Allow percent complete update on the project is set to No, or you don't have permission to update task progress.

Update resource assignments

To update resource assignments, follow these steps:

1. In the Edit tasks pane, select Select an operation.

2. Select Assigned to.

3. Under Assignment type, select one of the following options:

   • Reassign: Remove the existing assignments from every selected task, and then assign the resources that you select.
   • Add Assignment: Keep the existing assignments and add the resources that you select. If a selected resource is already assigned to a task, the system doesn't create a duplicate assignment.

4. Select one or more resources from the resource picker.

5. Select Apply changes.

   Important

   Reassign replaces all existing assignments on each selected task. The system recalculates task contours based on the new assignment.

Note

Bulk updates change task assignments but don't adjust resource bookings. Review and update bookings separately when project staffing changes.

Undo a bulk update

The task grid groups all changes from one bulk update into one undo action. Use the standard CTRL + Z action to reverse the operation.

Field behavior reference

Field	Input	Summary task behavior	Other availability rules
Start date	Date	Available	Requires write access to the start date.
Finish date	Date	Unavailable	Requires write access to the finish date.
% Complete	Number from 0 through 100	Unavailable	Every selected task must have effort. You must have permission to complete and partially complete tasks. Allow percent complete update on the project is set to Yes
Assigned to	One or more project resources	Unavailable	Requires permission to create and delete task assignments.

Common issues

Issue	Cause	Resolution
Bulk Update isn't available.	Fewer than two tasks are selected, the project is read-only, or you don't have permission to update.	Select at least two editable tasks and check permissions.
An operation is read-only in the Edit tasks pane.	You don't have permission to update the field.	Ask your administrator to review your project and task permissions.
% Complete isn't available.	The selection includes a summary task, at least one selected task has no effort, Allow percent complete update on the project is set to No, or you don't have the required progress permissions.	Select only tasks that have effort and that you have permission to update.
Finish date or Assigned to isn't available.	The selection includes a summary task.	Remove summary tasks from the selection and open Bulk Update again.