Task Management
Learn how to create, edit, and organize tasks in the Gantt chart.
Creating Tasks
Using the Create Task Button
- Click the Create Task button in the toolbar
- A new task is added at the end of the schedule
- Edit the task details inline or in the task editor
- Press Enter to save
Task Form Fields
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Task Name | Descriptive name for the task |
| Description | Additional details about the work |
| Start Date | When the task begins |
| Duration | Length of the task in days |
| % Done | Completion percentage (0-100%) |
| Owner | Assigned team member(s) |
| Sub | Subcontractor assignment |
| Color | Visual color coding (20+ options) |
Using Task Presets
If your administrator has configured task presets:
- Click the preset picker icon (list icon) in the task row
- Select a preset from the menu
- The task name updates to the preset value
- Other preset values are applied automatically
Editing Tasks
Opening the Task Editor
Multiple ways to edit tasks:
| Method | Action |
|---|---|
| Double-click task bar | Opens the task editor dialog |
| Press Enter | Opens task editor when task is selected |
| Press F2 | Start inline editing in the current cell |
Inline Editing
Most fields can be edited directly in the grid:
- Click a cell to select it
- Press F2 or start typing to edit
- 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:
| Action | How To |
|---|---|
| Move task | Drag the task bar horizontally to change dates |
| Resize task | Drag the left or right edge to adjust duration |
| Both dates move | When 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:
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:
- Task B depends on Task A (Finish-to-Start)
- You drag Task B forward by 3 days to Jan 15
- A constraint is set: "Task B cannot start before Jan 15"
- If Task A finishes early (Jan 10), Task B stays at Jan 15
- If Task A finishes late (Jan 20), Task B moves to Jan 20
Constraint Types
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| None | No constraint - task scheduled by dependencies only |
| Start No Earlier Than | Task cannot start before the constraint date (default when dragging) |
| Start No Later Than | Task must start by the constraint date |
| Finish No Earlier Than | Task cannot finish before the constraint date |
| Finish No Later Than | Task must finish by the constraint date |
| Must Start On | Task must start exactly on the constraint date |
| Must Finish On | Task must finish exactly on the constraint date |
Viewing and Editing Constraints
To view or change a task's constraint:
- Double-click the task bar to open the task editor
- Click the Advanced tab
- Find the Constraint section with Type and Date fields
- Select a different constraint type or clear it
- Click Save to apply changes
Removing Constraints
To allow a task to be scheduled purely by its dependencies:
- Open the task editor (double-click the task bar)
- Go to the Advanced tab
- Set Constraint Type to None
- Click Save
The task will reschedule based on its dependencies.
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
- Click a task to open the detail form
- Adjust the Progress slider (0-100%)
- 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:
- Hover over the task bar
- Look for the progress handle
- 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
- Select a parent task
- Use the Create Task button to add a new task
- Indent the new task under the parent (see below)
Indenting Tasks
Move a task to become a child of the task above it:
- Select the task
- Press Alt + Shift + Right Arrow
- The task moves under the previous task as a subtask
Outdenting Tasks
Move a task up one level in the hierarchy:
- Select the task
- Press Alt + Shift + Left Arrow
- The task moves to the same level as its former parent
Expanding and Collapsing
| Action | Method |
|---|---|
| Toggle | Press Space when focused on a parent task |
| Expand | Click the expand icon, or press Shift + Right Arrow |
| Collapse | Click the collapse icon, or press Shift + Left Arrow |
| Expand All | Click Expand All in the toolbar |
| Collapse All | Click 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
- Select the task
- Press Delete key
- Or click the delete button in the task form
- 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
You can use Undo (Ctrl+Z) to restore a deleted task if needed.
Task Colors
Setting Task Colors
- Double-click the task bar to open the task editor
- Select a color from the color palette (20+ options available)
- 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
- Click in the Owner column for a task
- Select team members from the dropdown
- 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
- Click in the Sub column for a task
- Select from available vendors in the dropdown
- The vendor name appears in the cell
Tips for Task Management
- Use clear names - Task names should describe the work clearly
- Set realistic durations - Account for actual work time needed
- Assign owners - Every task should have someone responsible
- Update progress regularly - Keep the schedule current
- Use hierarchy - Group related tasks under parent tasks
- 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
Related
- Gantt Chart Overview - Main Gantt chart features
- Dependencies - Linking tasks together
- Keyboard Shortcuts - Navigate efficiently