Using the Multi-Task Message Feature for Version 8.0
Introduction
Illustrations used in this article are from OnePager Pro using data from Microsoft Project but the features, function, controls, and manual edits apply equally to other OnePager editions that import from data sources like Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Planner, Smartsheet, Oracle Primavera P6, Planisware Enterprise, Asana, and Wrike.
This article provides details about using the Multi-Task Message Tool. This tool allow you to quickly make calculations in the chart area for durations, early start dates, and late finish dates between selected task bars/milestones symbols. The calculations can be made in the chart area by selecting the calculation tool needed from the dropdown list in the Chart Properties form’s Advanced tab’s Display options control group as shown in the illustration below for the Chart Properties form:
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Once the desired calculation tool is selected, you can make task bar/milestone symbol selections in the chart area and OnePager automatically displays the results in the lower right corner of The Chart called the Status Bar. There are seven (7) calculation options available as defined below. There is also a “null-option” in the dropdown list that turns the tool OFF – Display Nothing.
The Multi-task Message tool uses Start and Finish dates specified in the Chart Properties form’s Field Mappings tab’s Date Mappings control group’s Start and Finish dropdown lists as shown below:
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By changing the Start and Finish date selections in the two dropdown lists shown above you can gain additional visibility into durations, early Start dates, and late Finish dates found in the chart area for a large variety of date fields imported from any source plan supported by OnePager.
Option Definitions
The eight (8) Multi-task message tool options are described in the list below:
- 1) Total Elapsed Duration: The Total Elapsed Duration option tool calculates the difference between the Finish Date of the later task selected and the Start Date of the earlier task selected. The calculated number of days displayed in the Status Bar excludes weekends (Saturdays and Sundays).
- 2) Total Scheduled Duration: The Total Scheduled Duration option tool calculates the sum of all durations of all selected task bars/milestone symbols. Multiple task bars/milestone symbols can be selected in the chart area. The calculated number of days displayed in the Status Bar excludes weekends (Saturdays and Sundays).
- 3) Earliest Start Date: The Earliest Start Date option tool finds the earliest Start Date among the Start Dates for all selected task bars/milestone symbols. Multiple task bars/milestone symbols can be selected in the chart area.
- 4) Latest Finish Date: The Latest Finish Date option tool finds the latest Finish Date among the Finish Dates for all selected task bars/milestone symbols. Multiple task bars/milestone symbols can be selected in the chart area.
- 5) Start Date of Later Task Minus Finish Date of Earlier Task (Select only two): This tool calculates the difference between the Start Date of the later task and the Finish Date of the earlier task. This tool is restricted to the selection of two task bars/milestone symbols by the nature of the calculation. The calculated number of days displayed in the Status Bar excludes weekends (Saturdays and Sundays).
- 6) Start Date of Later Task Minus Start Date of Earlier Task (Select only two): This tool calculates the difference between the Start Date of the later task and the Start Date of the earlier task. This tool is restricted to the selection of two task bars/milestone symbols by the nature of the calculation. The calculated number of days displayed in the Status Bar excludes weekends (Saturdays and Sundays).
- 7) Finish Date of Later Task Minus Finish Date of Earlier Task (Select only two): This tool calculates the difference between the Finish Date of the later task and the Finish Date of the earlier task. This tool is restricted to the selection of two task bars/milestone symbols by the nature of the calculation. The calculated number of days displayed in the Status Bar excludes weekends (Saturdays and Sundays).
- 8) Display Nothing: The Display Nothing option tool tells OnePager to turn OFF the tool and provide no information in the Status Bar when two or more task bar/milestone symbols are selected.
Using the Multi-Task Message Tool
The Multi-task Message Tool is available for use with any OnePager Chart where OnePager imports Start and Finish date information from your source plan. The Start and Finish dates used by the Multi-task Message tool are based on the selections made in the Chart Properties form’s Field Mappings tab’s Date Mappings control group’s Start and Finish dropdown list windows. In all the examples used in this article, the Microsoft Project Start and Finish dates are used.
For these examples, the Microsoft Project source plan below shows three sets of task bars:
- The first set of four task bars start and finish during the normal five day work week.
- The second set of four task bars are seven days in duration and start and finish during weekend days.
- Finally, the third set of four task bars are fourteen days in duration, start and finish within a normal five day work week, but span one weekend each.
The Microsoft Project source plan looks like this:
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When OnePager Pro is used to create the OnePager Chart, it looks like this:
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Red vertical curtains are added in The Chart above to show the weekend days.
As mentioned above the default setting for the Multi-task Message Tool is Total Elapsed Duration and this option is available immediately upon creating a Chart. To engage the tool, you only need to select one or more task bar/milestone symbols in the chart area and the tool provides the duration calculation in the Status Bar located at the bottom right corner of the Chart Editor window as shown in this illustration:
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In the illustration above the four top task bars are selected and automatically the Multi-task Message Tool displays the Total Elapsed Duration of 19.4 days in the Status Bar in the bottom right corner of the Chart Editor window.
Multi-Task Message Tool Examples
This sub-section contains examples of all seven (7) Multi-task Message Tool options. Additionally, several of the examples illustrate the calculations where weekends are not involved, where task bars Start Dates and Finish Dates are within weekends, and where task bars span weekends.
Total Elapsed Duration
The Total Elapsed Duration option tool calculates the difference between the Finish Date of the later task selected and the Start Date of the earlier task selected. The calculated number of days displayed in the Status Bar excludes weekends (Saturdays and Sundays).
Total Elapsed Duration – Example 1: First Set of Task Bars
Using the Microsoft Project source plan and OnePager Chart show at the beginning of this article, if we select three task bars in the top set of task bars as shown below, we get a Total Elapsed Duration of 19.4 days:
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In the illustration above, there are three task bars selected. The first and third task bars selected determine the Total Elapsed Duration as the quantity is defined.
Total Elapsed Duration – Example 2: Second Set of Task Bars
The second set of task bars is used in this example where task bars start and finish on weekend days. Below there are three task bars selected in the second set of task bars and OnePager calculated a Total Elapsed Duration of 19 days.
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Total Elapsed Duration – Example 3: Third Set of Task Bars
The third set of task bars is used in this example where task bars start and finish on week days but each task bar is shown as 10 days in Duration and spans one weekend of two days. Below there are three task bars selected in the third set of task bars and OnePager calculated a Total Elapsed Duration of 24.4 days.
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Total Scheduled Duration
The Total Scheduled Duration option tool calculates the sum of all durations of all selected task bars/milestone symbols. Multiple task bars/milestone symbols can be selected in the chart area. The calculated number of days displayed in the Status Bar excludes weekends (Saturdays and Sundays).
Total Scheduled Duration – Example 1: First Set of Task Bars
Using the Microsoft Project source plan and OnePager Chart show at the beginning of this article, if we select three task bars in the top set of task bars as shown below, we get a Total Scheduled Duration of 13.2 days excluding weekend days.
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Total Scheduled Duration – Example 2: Second Set of Task Bars
The second set of task bars is used in this example where task bars start and finish on weekend days. Below there are three task bars selected in the second set of task bars and OnePager calculates a Total Scheduled Duration of 12 days excluding weekend days.
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Total Scheduled Duration – Example 3: Third Set of Task Bars
The third set of task bars is used in this example where task bars start and finish on week days but each task bar which is shown as 10 days in Duration spans one weekend of two days. Below there are three task bars selected in the third set of task bars and OnePager calculated a Total Scheduled Duration of 28.2 days.
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Earliest Start Date
The Earliest Start Date option tool determines the earliest Start Date among the Start Dates for all selected task bars/milestone symbols. Multiple task bars/milestone symbols can be selected in the chart area.
Earliest Start Date – Example 1: Earliest Start Date On a Week Day
In this first example for Earliest Start Date, three task bars are selected where each have State Dates on week days. The Earliest Start Date calculated by OnePager is April 7, 2025 as shown below:
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Earliest Start Date – Example 2: Earliest Start Date On a Weekend
In this second example for Earliest Start Date, three task bars are selected where each have State Dates on weekends. The Earliest Start Date calculated by OnePager is April 6, 2025 as shown below:
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In the illustration above the Earliest Start Date of April 6, 2025 is a Weekend day which is not significant for this calculation.
Earliest Start Date – Example 3: Earliest Start Date On a Week Day
This third example has Start Dates on weekdays with timespans across weekends. The Earliest Start Date calculated is April 7, 2025.
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Latest Finish Date
The Latest Finish Date option tool determines the latest Finish Date among the Finish Dates for all selected task bars/milestone symbols. Multiple task bars/milestone symbols may be selected in the chart area.
Latest Finish Date – Example 1: Latest Finish Date On a Week Day
In this first example for Latest Finish Date, three task bars are selected where each have Finish Dates on week days. The Latest Finish Date calculated by OnePager is May 2, 2025 as shown below:
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Latest Finish Date – Example 2: Latest Finish Date On a Weekend
In this second example for Latest Finish Date, three task bars are selected where each have Finish Dates on weekends. The Latest Finish Date calculated by OnePager is May 3, 2025 as shown below:
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In the illustration above the Latest Finish Date of May 3, 2025 is a Weekend day which is not significant for this calculation.
Latest Finish Date – Example 3: Latest Finish Date On a Week Day
This third example has Finish Dates on weekdays with timespans across weekends. The Latest Finish Date calculated is May 9, 2025.
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In the illustration above the Latest Finish Date of May 9, 2025 is a Weekend day which is not significant for this calculation.
Later Task Start Minus Early Task Finish Task (Select only two)
This tool calculates the difference between the Start Date of the later task and the Finish Date of the earlier task and is restricted to the selection of two task bars/milestone symbols. The calculated number of days displayed in the Status Bar excludes weekends (Saturdays and Sundays).
Later Task Start Minus Earlier Task Finish Task (Select only two only) - Example 1: Start Dates and Finish Dates are On Week Days
In this first example the Start Date of the Later task bar and the Finish Date of the Earlier task bar are both on Weekdays. The Difference between the Start Date of the Later Task Bar and the Finish Date of the Earlier Task Bar is 5.6 days as shown below:
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Later Task Start Minus Earlier Task Finish Task (Select only two only) - Example 2: Start Dates and Finish Dates are On Weekend Days
In the second example the Start Date of the Later task bar and the Finish Date of the Earlier task bar are both on Weekend days. The Difference between the Start Date of the Later Task Bar and the Finish Date of the Earlier Task Bar is 9 days as shown below:
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Later Task Start Minus Earlier Task Finish Task (Select only two only) - Example 3: Both Selected Task Bars Have Start and Finish Dates On Weekdays with Weekends In Between
For the third example the Start Date of the Later task bar and the Finish Date of the Earlier task bar are both on Weekdays with multiple Weekend days in between. The Difference between the Start Date of the Later Task Bar and the Finish Date of the Earlier Task Bar is 5.6 days as shown below:
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Later Task Start Minus Earlier Task Start (Select only two)
This tool calculates the difference between the Start Date of the later task and the Start Date of the earlier task. This tool is restricted to the selection of two task bars/milestone symbols by the nature of the calculation. The calculated number of days displayed in the Status Bar excludes weekends (Saturdays and Sundays).
Later Task Start Minus Earlier Task Start (Select only two) - Example 1: Start Dates are On Week Days
In this first example the Start Date of the Later task bar and the Start Date of the earlier task bar are both on Weekdays. The Difference between the Start Date of the Later Task Bar and the Start Date of the Earlier Task Bar is 10 days as shown below:
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Later Task Start Minus Earlier Task Start (Select only two) - Example 2: Start Dates are On Weekend Days
In the second example the Start Date of the Later task bar and the Start Date of the Earlier task bar are both on Weekend days. The Difference between the Start Date of the Later Task Bar and the Start Date of the Earlier Task Bar is 14 days as shown below:
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Later Task Start Minus Earlier Task Start (Select only two) - Example 3: Both Selected Task Bars Have Start Dates On Weekdays with Weekends In Between
For the third example the Start Date of the Later task bar and the Start Date of the Earlier task bar are both on Weekdays with multiple Weekend days in between. The Difference between the Start Date of the Later Task Bar and the Start Date of the Earlier Task Bar is 15 days as shown below:
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Later Task Finish Minus Earlier Task Finish (Select only two)
This tool calculates the difference between the Finish Date of the later task and the Finish date of the earlier task. This tool is restricted to the selection of two task bars/milestone symbols by the nature of the calculation. The calculated number of days displayed in the Status Bar excludes weekends (Saturdays and Sundays).
Later Task Finish Minus Earlier Task Finish (Select only two) - Example 1: Finish Dates are On Week Days
In this first example the Finish Date of the Later task bar and the Finish Date of the earlier task bar are both on Weekdays. The Difference between the Finish Date of the Later Task Bar and the Finish Date of the Earlier Task Bar is 10 days as shown below:
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Later Task Finish Minus Earlier Task Finish (Select only two) - Example 2: Finish Dates are On Weekend Days
In the second example the Finish Date of the Later task bar and the Finish Date of the Earlier task bar are both on Weekend days. The Difference between the Finish Date of the Later Task Bar and the Finish Date of the Earlier Task Bar is 14 days as shown below:
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Later Task Finish Minus Earlier Task Finish (Select only two) - Example 3: Both Selected Task Bars Have Finish Dates On Weekdays with Weekends In Between
For the third example the Finish Date of the Later task bar and the Finish Date of the Earlier task bar are both on Weekdays with multiple Weekend days in between. The Difference between the Finish Date of the Later Task Bar and the Finish Date of the Earlier Task Bar is 15 days as shown below:
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Display Nothing
The Display Nothing option tool essentially tells OnePager to turn OFF the tool and provide no information in the Status Bar when two or more task bar/milestone symbols are selected.
Summary
The Multi-task Message tool is provided to help you identify relationships between selected task bars/milestone symbols quickly when preparing for schedule discussions. The Multi-task Message tool consists of seven (7) options with an additional option to turn the tool OFF. Selection of the default option can be made in the Advanced tab of the Template Properties form or changed at any time by accessing the Advanced tab of the Chart Properties form. When the required number of task bars/milestone symbols is selected in the chart area, OnePager automatically makes the calculations required by the option selected and display the results in the Status Bar located in the lower right corner of the Chart Editor’s window.
Related Links
| Measuring Task Durations and Dates | OnePager's Ribbon Tool Bar View Tab 4.0.2.2.9-80 |
| OnePager's Ribbon Tool Bar Home Tab 4.0.2.2.1-80 | Selecting Task/Milestone Shapes and Text Labels 9.1.1-80 |
| Managing Hidden Tasks and Milestones Using "Where's My Stuff?!" 9.4.1-80 | Absorbing one task into another 17.0.1-80 |
| Using Hover Boxes in the Chart and Graphs 13.1.1-80 | Creating and Managing Virtual Summary Tasks 18.0.1-80 |
| Advanced Tab 21.13.1-80 | Managing Chart Data (Portal) 23.0.1-80 |
| Sharing Charts (Portal) 23.2.1-80 |
(21.13.1.1-80)