MS Project 2021 glitches

Loren Alcala 0 Reputation points
2026-01-10T01:03:56.97+00:00

I just purchased MS Project 2021 and started a project tasks. I have input tasks, durations, dependencies and resources. I asked it NOT to level resources. I set the project to auto calculate from finish date. When I calculate the project, for some reason I keep getting random dates that change from 2026 to the same date in 2126. I can't figure out how to stop it.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Project | For home | Windows
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  1. Anonymous
    2026-01-10T06:16:51.85+00:00

    Dear @Loren Alcala,

    Thank you for reaching out to the Microsoft Q&A forum. I’m happy to assist you.

    The behavior you are experiencing is often related to how Microsoft Project handles constraints, calendars, and scheduling logic.

    • To better understand your scenario and provide accurate guidance, could you please share the project file? This will help determine whether the issue is specific to your configuration or device.

    Please send it via private message to avoid any exposure of personally identifiable information (PII). Here's how you can access your private messages:

    1. Go to a question you asked that has a private message.  
    2. Open private messages modal – by clicking link in blue banner or private messages button.   User's image
      1. Private messages modal opens  
      2. Enter reply into rich-text editor.  
    3. Click "Send" button.

    In the meantime, please review the following:

    Verify Calculation Settings

    Go to File > Options > Schedule and ensure that Calculation is set to Automatic.

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    Check for Task Constraints

    Navigate to View > Gantt Chart.

    Add the Constraint Type column.

    If any tasks show a constraint other than As Late As Possible, this may cause date shifts.

    Confirm Project Finish Date

    Go to Project > Project Information.

    Ensure the schedule is set to Project Finish Date and that the finish date is reasonable (e.g., within 2026).

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    Inspect Individual Tasks

    Review task details for unexpected lags, constraints, or manual scheduling that could affect the timeline. Choose the issued task > Go to Task tab > Inspect > Inspect Task.

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    Since I do not have access to your file environment, there may be cases where my recommended solutions do not fully resolve the issue or other problems appear. If that happens, please update me right away with any new details or results in the Comment. I will do my best to support you and help find a solution as quickly as possible.

    Providing the required details will enable us to offer the most accurate next steps and, if necessary, route your request to the appropriate team for further assistance. Looking forward to your response so we can assist you further!  

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  2. AI answer

    2026-01-10T01:05:31.1633333+00:00

    It seems you are encountering scheduling issues in MS Project 2021 with tasks showing unexpected dates. Here are some factors to consider that might help resolve the problem:

    1. Calculation Settings: Verify that the calculation option is set to Automatic. If it is set to Manual, the project will only update when you press F9. You can check this by navigating to the Tools menu, selecting Options, and then going to the Calculation tab.
    2. Project Dates: Since you are scheduling from the project's Finish Date, ensure that this date is correctly set. An incorrect Start Date can lead to unexpected scheduling results.
    3. Task Constraints: Review any constraints applied to your tasks. Constraints like As Late As Possible (ALAP) can cause tasks to be scheduled in ways that may not align with your expectations when calculating from the Finish Date.
    4. Resource Leveling: Even though you indicated that resource leveling is disabled, double-check the settings to ensure that automatic resource leveling is not affecting task scheduling by introducing delays.
    5. Predecessor Relationships: Look for any unintended predecessor relationships that may be influencing the scheduling of your tasks.
    6. Task Delay: Check the Task Delay field for any values that might prevent tasks from being scheduled earlier than intended.

    If these checks do not resolve the issue, consider starting a new project file and re-entering your tasks to see if the problem persists, as file corruption can sometimes lead to erratic behavior.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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