How to Add Holidays in MS Project
Managing projects effectively often requires considering various factors, including holidays. In Microsoft Project, adding holidays to your project schedule is essential for ensuring that deadlines and milestones are not missed due to non-working days. This article will guide you through the process of how to add holidays in MS Project, making your project planning more accurate and efficient.
Step 1: Open Microsoft Project
To begin, open Microsoft Project and navigate to the project you want to modify. It is important to have the correct project open to ensure that the holidays are added to the appropriate schedule.
Step 2: Access the Project Options
Next, go to the “Project” tab in the ribbon at the top of the screen. Click on “Project Options” to open a new window that allows you to customize various aspects of your project.
Step 3: Select the Calendar
In the “Project Options” window, click on the “Calendar” tab. This tab contains information about the calendars used in your project, including the default calendar and any custom calendars you have created.
Step 4: Create a New Calendar
If you do not already have a custom calendar for holidays, you will need to create one. Click on the “New” button to create a new calendar. Give your new calendar a name, such as “Holidays,” and click “OK.”
Step 5: Add Holiday Dates
With the new calendar selected, click on the “Edit” button to open the calendar editor. Here, you can add holiday dates by clicking on the “Add” button. Enter the date of the holiday and give it a name, such as “Christmas Day.” Repeat this process for all the holidays you want to include in your project.
Step 6: Assign the Calendar to the Project
After adding all the necessary holidays, go back to the “Project Options” window and select the calendar you just created under the “Calendar” tab. Click “OK” to save your changes.
Step 7: Verify the Calendar
To ensure that the holidays have been added correctly, go to the “Task” view and check the “Calendar” column. You should see the holidays listed as non-working days.
Conclusion
Adding holidays in MS Project is a straightforward process that can greatly improve the accuracy of your project schedule. By following these steps, you can ensure that your project accounts for holidays and other non-working days, leading to more effective project management.
