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Task Management

Learn how to create, edit, and organize tasks in the Gantt chart.

Creating Tasks

Using the Create Task Button

  1. Click the Create Task button in the toolbar
  2. A new task is added at the end of the schedule
  3. Edit the task details inline or in the task editor
  4. Press Enter to save

Task Form Fields

FieldDescription
Task NameDescriptive name for the task
DescriptionAdditional details about the work
Start DateWhen the task begins
DurationLength of the task in days
% DoneCompletion percentage (0-100%)
OwnerAssigned team member(s)
SubSubcontractor assignment
ColorVisual color coding (20+ options)

Using Task Presets

If your administrator has configured task presets:

  1. Click the preset picker icon (list icon) in the task row
  2. Select a preset from the menu
  3. The task name updates to the preset value
  4. Other preset values are applied automatically

Editing Tasks

Opening the Task Editor

Multiple ways to edit tasks:

MethodAction
Double-click task barOpens the task editor dialog
Press EnterOpens task editor when task is selected
Press F2Start inline editing in the current cell

Inline Editing

Most fields can be edited directly in the grid:

  1. Click a cell to select it
  2. Press F2 or start typing to edit
  3. Press Enter to save or Escape to cancel

Editable columns include: Name, Start Date, Duration, % Done, Predecessor, Owner, and Sub.

Drag and Drop

Adjust task timing visually:

ActionHow To
Move taskDrag the task bar horizontally to change dates
Resize taskDrag the left or right edge to adjust duration
Both dates moveWhen dragging the bar, start and end dates shift together

Move a task - drag the bar horizontally:

Resize a task - drag the left or right edge:

tip

Hold the task bar in the middle to move it. Grab the edges to resize.

Task Constraints

Constraints control when a task can be scheduled, independent of its dependencies. When you drag a task to a new position, the system automatically sets a constraint to keep it there.

Auto-Set Constraints

When you drag or resize a task, the system automatically applies a Start No Earlier Than constraint:

  • The task is "pinned" at its new start date
  • Dependencies won't pull the task earlier than where you placed it
  • Dependencies can still push the task later if predecessors run long

Example:

  1. Task B depends on Task A (Finish-to-Start)
  2. You drag Task B forward by 3 days to Jan 15
  3. A constraint is set: "Task B cannot start before Jan 15"
  4. If Task A finishes early (Jan 10), Task B stays at Jan 15
  5. If Task A finishes late (Jan 20), Task B moves to Jan 20

Constraint Types

TypeDescription
NoneNo constraint - task scheduled by dependencies only
Start No Earlier ThanTask cannot start before the constraint date (default when dragging)
Start No Later ThanTask must start by the constraint date
Finish No Earlier ThanTask cannot finish before the constraint date
Finish No Later ThanTask must finish by the constraint date
Must Start OnTask must start exactly on the constraint date
Must Finish OnTask must finish exactly on the constraint date

Viewing and Editing Constraints

To view or change a task's constraint:

  1. Double-click the task bar to open the task editor
  2. Click the Advanced tab
  3. Find the Constraint section with Type and Date fields
  4. Select a different constraint type or clear it
  5. Click Save to apply changes

Removing Constraints

To allow a task to be scheduled purely by its dependencies:

  1. Open the task editor (double-click the task bar)
  2. Go to the Advanced tab
  3. Set Constraint Type to None
  4. Click Save

The task will reschedule based on its dependencies.

note

If a task keeps snapping back to a specific date even when its predecessor moves, it likely has a constraint set. Check the Advanced tab to view or remove the constraint.

Task Progress

Track completion percentage for each task.

Updating Progress

  1. Click a task to open the detail form
  2. Adjust the Progress slider (0-100%)
  3. Save the task

Visual Indicator

  • Progress displays as a filled portion of the task bar
  • A task at 50% shows half the bar filled
  • Completed tasks (100%) show a fully filled bar

Quick Progress Update

You can also drag the progress indicator directly on the task bar:

  1. Hover over the task bar
  2. Look for the progress handle
  3. Drag to adjust the percentage

Task Hierarchy

Tasks can be organized in a parent-child hierarchy.

Parent tasks automatically calculate their dates based on their children:

  • Start date = earliest child start date
  • End date = latest child end date

Creating Subtasks

  1. Select a parent task
  2. Use the Create Task button to add a new task
  3. Indent the new task under the parent (see below)

Indenting Tasks

Move a task to become a child of the task above it:

  1. Select the task
  2. Press Alt + Shift + Right Arrow
  3. The task moves under the previous task as a subtask

Outdenting Tasks

Move a task up one level in the hierarchy:

  1. Select the task
  2. Press Alt + Shift + Left Arrow
  3. The task moves to the same level as its former parent

Expanding and Collapsing

ActionMethod
TogglePress Space when focused on a parent task
ExpandClick the expand icon, or press Shift + Right Arrow
CollapseClick the collapse icon, or press Shift + Left Arrow
Expand AllClick Expand All in the toolbar
Collapse AllClick Collapse All in the toolbar

Selecting Tasks

Single Selection

Click any task row to select it. The selected task is highlighted.

Toggle Selection

Press Space to toggle selection on the current task:

  • If selected, it becomes unselected
  • If unselected, it becomes selected

Deleting Tasks

Delete a Single Task

  1. Select the task
  2. Press Delete key
  3. Or click the delete button in the task form
  4. Confirm the deletion

What Gets Deleted

When you delete a task:

  • The task is removed from the schedule
  • All dependencies connected to the task are removed
  • Subtasks remain but move up one level in hierarchy
tip

You can use Undo (Ctrl+Z) to restore a deleted task if needed.

Task Colors

Setting Task Colors

  1. Double-click the task bar to open the task editor
  2. Select a color from the color palette (20+ options available)
  3. The task bar updates immediately

Color Sources

Tasks can get their color from:

  • Manual assignment - Color set directly on the task
  • Template - Inherited from schedule template
  • Default - Blue if no color specified

Using Colors Effectively

Consider using colors to indicate:

  • Different work types (design, construction, inspection)
  • Responsibility areas (electrical, plumbing, framing)
  • Priority levels
  • Phases of the project

Owner Assignment

The Owner column shows assigned team members with their profile avatars. Multiple owners can be assigned to a single task.

Assigning Owners

  1. Click in the Owner column for a task
  2. Select team members from the dropdown
  3. Selected owners appear with their avatars

Owner Display

  • Team members display with profile photos or initials
  • Multiple assignees show as stacked avatars
  • Hover over avatars to see full names

Subcontractor Assignment

The Sub column allows assigning vendor/subcontractor roles to tasks.

Assigning Subcontractors

  1. Click in the Sub column for a task
  2. Select from available vendors in the dropdown
  3. The vendor name appears in the cell

Tips for Task Management

  1. Use clear names - Task names should describe the work clearly
  2. Set realistic durations - Account for actual work time needed
  3. Assign owners - Every task should have someone responsible
  4. Update progress regularly - Keep the schedule current
  5. Use hierarchy - Group related tasks under parent tasks
  6. Add descriptions - Include details that help team members understand the work

Troubleshooting

Can't Edit Tasks

  • Verify you're viewing an individual schedule (not "Full-schedule")
  • Check that you have edit permissions
  • Ensure the schedule isn't locked

Dates Not Changing When Dragging

  • Check if the task has dependencies that constrain it
  • Verify you're dragging the bar, not clicking
  • Ensure the schedule is editable

Progress Not Saving

  • Make sure you click Save after editing
  • Check for validation errors in the form
  • Verify you have edit permissions