Project desktop Quick start

Create a project

In Project, you can:

  • Create project plans.

  • Build project teams and allocate resources.

  • See different views of task and resources.

  • Measure progress.

  • Manage budgets.

Notes: 

  • This Quick Start is specific to Microsoft Project 2019, 2016, and the Microsoft 365 subscription Project Online Desktop Client. Project Online has some additional features that support online interaction.

  • For more detailed information about creating a new project, see Create a new project.

Create a project from a template

  1. Open Project. Or select File > New if you're already working in a project plan.

  2. Select a template or type in the Search for online templates box and then press Enter. Or, choose Blank Project to create a project from scratch.

  3. When you select a template, select the options you want, and select Create.

    Change the resources, tasks, and durations in the template so they are right for your project.

Note: To create a new project from an existing project, change the project start and finish dates, and then save the project file with a new name or in a different location.

Screenshot of project plan templates in the Business category.

Add tasks to a project

  1. Select View > Task Views > Gantt Chart.

  2. Type a task name in the first empty Task Name field.

  3. Press Enter.

  4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 to enter the tasks you want.

If adding tasks one at a time starts to take too long, you can also:

Screenshot of automatically scheduled tasks entered in a new project plan.

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