## Constrain a Task to Start or Finish On or Near a Specific Date

If a task must start or finish on or near a specific date, just linking tasks and adding lead or lag time might not do the trick. This may be the time to set a constraint. The type of constraint you set for a task depends on the task’s scheduling requirements.

To set a constraint

1. On the View Bar, click Gantt Chart .
2. In the Task Name field, select the task you want, and then click Task Information .
3. Click the Advanced tab.
4. In the Type box, click a constraint type.
5. If you selected a constraint other than As Late As Possible or As Soon As Possible, click a constraint date in the Date box. (Otherwise, Microsoft Project uses the task’s current start or finish date.)
   Microsoft Project adds the constraint and recalculates the schedule.

It’s also a good idea to check the necessity of your constraints occasionally.

To check a constraint

1. On the View Bar, click Gantt Chart .
2. On the View menu, point to Table, and then click More Tables.
3. In the Tables list, click Constraint Dates.
4. Click Apply.

Microsoft Project replaces the fields in the Gantt Chart view, listing the task constraints. If necessary, scroll to see the fields.

Warning: Dragging in Constraints
If you create a task by dragging on the Gantt Chart or Calendar, Microsoft Project imposes a constraint date on the task. A constraint is also applied if you drag a task bar to move a task on the Gantt Chart or Calendar. Microsoft Project assumes that because you’re dragging a certain date, you’re indicating a start or finish date for the task. The constraint imposed is Start No Earlier Than or Finish No Earlier Than, depending on where you start and finish dragging. Microsoft Project imposes the same constraint types when you type a start or finish date for a task.

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