How to Set Holidays in MS Project
Managing projects effectively often requires accounting for non-working days, such as holidays. Microsoft Project allows you to set up holidays so that your project schedules take these days into consideration. This ensures that deadlines and resource allocation are accurately reflected in your project plan. In this article, we will guide you through the process of how to set holidays in MS Project.
Step 1: Access the Calendar
To begin setting up holidays, you first need to access the calendar in MS Project. This can be done by clicking on the “View” tab at the top of the screen and then selecting “Calendar” from the menu.
Step 2: Create a New Calendar
Once you are in the calendar view, you will see a list of available calendars on the left-hand side. To create a new calendar specifically for holidays, click on “New Calendar” at the bottom of the list.
Step 3: Name Your Calendar
After creating a new calendar, you will be prompted to name it. Enter a descriptive name for your holiday calendar, such as “Company Holidays” or “National Holidays.”
Step 4: Add Holidays
With your new calendar named, you can now add holidays to it. To do this, click on the “Edit” button in the ribbon at the top of the screen. This will open the “Edit Calendars” dialog box.
Step 5: Insert a Holiday
In the “Edit Calendars” dialog box, click on the “Insert” button to add a new holiday. You will be prompted to enter the name of the holiday and select the date. Make sure to choose the correct date format (e.g., mm/dd/yyyy) and click “OK” to add the holiday to your calendar.
Step 6: Repeat for Additional Holidays
Repeat steps 5 for each holiday you need to add to your calendar. You can add as many holidays as you need to ensure your project schedule accounts for all non-working days.
Step 7: Assign the Calendar to Your Project
After adding all the necessary holidays, you need to assign the holiday calendar to your project. To do this, go to the “Task” tab and click on “Calendar.” In the “Task Calendar” dialog box, select the holiday calendar you created from the list and click “OK.”
Step 8: Save Your Changes
Finally, save your changes by clicking on “File” at the top left corner of the screen and then selecting “Save.” Your project schedule will now reflect the holidays you have set up in your holiday calendar.
By following these steps, you can easily set holidays in MS Project and ensure that your project schedules remain accurate and up-to-date. This will help you avoid scheduling conflicts and keep your project on track.
