Indicators fields

The Indicators field displays indicators that give different types of information about a task or resources. For
example, a completed indicator
alerts you that the task is completed, and a note indicator
means that a
task or resource note is attached.
NOTE Unlike other fields, the Indicators field is represented by an icon

instead of a word, such as the

Task Name field.

Data Type

Indicator

Indicators (task field)

Entry Type

Calculated

How Calculated Microsoft Office Project 2007 adds the appropriate indicator to the Indicators field when
certain conditions in the project are met. For example, when a task is completed, Project 2007 automatically
adds the completed indicator
to the task's Indicators field. When you enter or receive a note for a task,
Project 2007 adds the note indicator .
Best Uses Add the Indicators field to a task view when you want to display the indicators that give quick,
graphical information about tasks.
Example In the Task Sheet view, you see the completed indicator next to several tasks. This means the tasks
are finished. For another task, you see a note indicator, meaning the task has an associated comment.
Remarks By default, the Indicators field is the first column in the Gantt Chart view and Task Sheet view.
When you point to an indicator in the Indicators field, a ScreenTip provides more information.
Indicators (resource field)
Entry Type

Calculated

How Calculated Project 2007 adds the appropriate indicator to the Indicators field when certain conditions
in the project are met. For example, when a resource is overallocated, Project 2007 automatically adds the
leveling indicator . When you enter a note for a resource, Project 2007 adds the note indicator .
Best Uses Add the Indicators field to a resource sheet when you want to display indicators that give quick,
graphical information about the resource.

Example In the Resource Sheet view, you see the note indicator next to several resources. This means that
you have entered notes about or received comments from these resources. You see the leveling indicator next
to several other resources, so you now know that these resources are overallocated.
Remarks By default, the Indicators field is the first column in the Resource Sheet and Resource Usage
views. When you point to an indicator in the Indicators field, a ScreenTip provides more information.
List of indicator icons
Miscellaneous indicators

Indicator

Description

The task, resource, or assignment has a note attached to it.

The task, resource, or assignment has a hyperlink associated with it.

The resource needs leveling.

The task finishes on a date that is later than its deadline date.

Constraint indicators

Indicator

Description

The task has an inflexible constraint, such as the following:

Must Finish On (for projects scheduled from the start date).
Must Start On (for all projects).

Indicator

Description

The task has a moderately flexible constraint, such as the following:

Finish No Earlier Than (for projects scheduled from the start date).
Finish No Later Than (for projects scheduled from the finish date).
Start No Earlier Than (for projects scheduled from the start date).
Start No Later Than (for projects scheduled from the finish date).

The task has not been scheduled or completed within the constraint's time frame.

Task type indicators

Indicator

Description

The task is a recurring task.

The task is complete.

The task is an inserted project.

The task is an inserted project that is read-only.

Indicator

Description

This project has already been inserted into this project or another master project.

The task has a calendar applied to it.

The task has non-intersecting task and resource calendars.

Deliverable and dependency indicators

Indicator

Description

The task has a deliverable associated with it that another project depends on for its completion.

The task has an external dependency on a task in another project.

Contour indicators

Indicator

Description

The work of the assignment is distributed using a back-loaded contour.

The work of the assignment is distributed using a bell contour.

The work of the assignment is distributed using a double-peak contour.

Indicator

Description

The work of the assignment is distributed using an early-peak contour.

The work of the assignment is distributed using an edited contour.

The work of the assignment is distributed using a front-loaded contour.

The work of the assignment is distributed using a late-peak contour.

The work of the assignment is distributed using a turtle contour.

Add indicators
In almost every task or resource view, indicators have their own column on the left side of the screen its the
only one that has a picture

instead of a word for a title. If you dont see that column, try this:

1.

Right-click the column heading to the right of where you want to put the Indicators column.

2.

Click Insert Column, and then click Indicators.

TIP

If youre not sure what an indicator means, rest the pointer over it. A box pops up to explain it.

For a more technical look at indicators, including a list of them, see Indicators fields.

Change or get rid of indicators

Dont forget that indicators only show status; they dont control it. In fact, you cant change the indicators in
theIndicators column directly.
If an indicator doesnt seem right, look for the underlying cause. For example, if the complete indicator
shows up next to a task you know isnt finished, check to see if the task has accidentally been marked as 100%
complete.
If youd rather not see the indicators at all, you can hide the column: Right-click the column heading and then
clickHide Column.

Create custom indicators

When you add custom fields to your project, you can pick indicators for different values in those fields. For
example, you could make a progress field with different images for tasks that are on track, behind schedule,
and blocked.
To create a custom field:
1.

Click Project > Custom Fields.

2.

Choose an unused text field, and then click Rename.

3.

Type Progress (or whatever name you want) and click OK.

4.
5.

Under Custom attributes, click Lookup.

In the table, add the values you want. For our example, type On track, Behind schedule,
and Blocked.

6.

Select the Use a value from the table as the default entry for the field check box.

7.

Click the first value (On track), clickSet Default, and then click Close.

To choose the indicators:

1.

Back in the Custom Fields dialog box, under Values to display, click Graphical Indicators.

2.

In the Test for Progress column, pick equals.

3.

In the Value(s) column, add the value name you set earlier (On track, Behind schedule,
and Blocked).

4.

In the Image column, add a picture for each value. This will be the indicator that shows up in your
project plan. (If the cute smiley faces in the image below arent your thing, there are plenty of other choices!)

5.

Click OK twice to go back to the Gantt Chart.

To add the custom field to the Gantt Chart:

1.

Right-click the column heading to the right of where you want to put the custom Progress column.

2.

Click Insert Column, and then pick Progress from the list.

3.

Pick a progress status for each task.