Why are Start & Finish Dates are grayed out?

[Jim]

I copied task over from one project to create a new one and I am not
knowledgable in MS Project. I furnished this to one of my associates to
update and return to me. When I received the report back and tried to
correct some start and finish dates they are grayed out. Any suggestions?

 

[Jan De Messemaeker]

Hi,

I suspect the start and finish dates belong to summary tasks, which are
always calculated by Project.
HTH

 

[Jim]

Is there any way to modify it? It doesn't make any sense if you can't change
those dates.

Thanks,

Jim

 

[Mike Glen]

Hi Jim,

The start and finish dates of a summary are governed by the start of the
first sub task to the end of the last sub task. Change your sub tasks and
the summary dates will follow.

However, it is bad practice to change start and finish dates, as that's
Project's job to calculate the schedule. You have to in put the tasks,
durations and logic, and Project will work out the logical dates for you.
The assigne resources and level and Project will tell you what's possible
with these inputs. You can then adjust the data if it doesn't meet your
requirements.

Also, you might like to have a look at my series on Microsoft Project in the
TechTrax ezine at this site: http://tinyurl.com/2xbhc or this:
http://pubs.logicalexpressions.com/Pub0009/LPMFrame.asp?CMD=ArticleSearch&AUTH=23
(Perhaps you'd care to rate the articles before leaving the site,
Thanks.)

FAQs, companion products and other useful Project information can be seen at
this web address: <http://www.mvps.org/project/>

Hope this helps - please let us know how you get on

Mike Glen
MS Project MVP

 

[Jim]

Thanks Mike,

I appreciate your sharing and I will look at your series.

Jim

 

[Mike Glen]

You're welcome, Jim

Mike Glen
MS Project MVP

Thanks Mike,

I appreciate your sharing and I will look at your series.

Jim