Create task dependencies (links) within your project Page 1 of 4

Project > Creating relationships between tasks

Create task dependencies (links) within your project

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After tasks are created in a project, they need to be linked to show relationships between them. Linking tasks creates task
dependencies.

TIP   You can also show the relationships between multiple projects by linking tasks across projects, or by using inter-
project dependencies.

You can link tasks within the same project by using the Gantt Chart view, the Network Diagram view, or the Calendar view.

In this article

About linking tasks

Link tasks by using the Gantt Chart view

Link tasks by using the Network Diagram view

Link tasks by using the Calendar view

Turn autolinking on or off

About linking tasks

When you link tasks in Project, the default link type is finish-to-start. However, a finish-to-start link does not work in every
situation. Project provides additional types of task links so you can model your project realistically.

Link type Example Description

Finish-to- The dependent task (B) cannot begin until the task that it depends (A)
start (FS) on is complete.

For example, if you have two tasks, "Dig foundation" and "Pour
concrete," the "Pour concrete" task cannot begin until the "Dig
foundation" task is complete.

Start-to- The dependent task (B) cannot begin until the task that it depends (A)
start (SS) on begins.

The dependent task can begin anytime after the task that it depends
on begins. The SS link type does not require that both tasks begin
simultaneously.

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For example, if you have two tasks, "Pour concrete" and "Level
concrete," the "Level concrete" task cannot begin until the "Pour
concrete" task begins.

Finish-to- The dependent task (B) cannot be completed until the task that it
finish depends on (A) is completed.
(FF)
The dependent task can be completed anytime after the task that it
depends on is completed. The FF link type does not require that both
tasks be completed simultaneously.

For example, if you have two tasks, "Add wiring" and "Inspect
electrical," the "Inspect electrical" task cannot be completed until the
"Add wiring" task is completed.

Start-to- The dependent task (B) cannot be completed until the task that it
finish depends on (A) begins.
(SF)
The dependent task can be completed anytime after the task that it
depends on begins. The SF link type does not require that the
dependent task be completed concurrent with the beginning of the
task on which it depends.

For example, the roof trusses for your construction project are built
offsite. Two of the tasks in your project are "Truss delivery" and
"Assemble roof." The "Assemble roof" task cannot be completed until
the "Truss delivery" task begins.

When inserting a task among linked tasks, you can have a new task linked automatically or not link it at all.

To link the new task, click the task that you want the new task to precede, and then click New Task on the Insert
menu.

 NOTE    If this doesn't work, on the Tools menu, click Options, and then click the Schedule tab. Make sure that
the Autolink inserted or moved tasks check box is selected.

To add the new task without linking it, click the task with which the new task will occur concurrently, and then drag
to create the new task in a blank portion of the Network Diagram.

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Link tasks by using the Gantt Chart view

1. On the View menu, click Gantt Chart.

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2. In the Task Name field, select two or more tasks you want to link, in the order you want to link them.

To select nonadjacent tasks, hold down CTRL and click the tasks you want to link.

To select adjacent tasks, hold down SHIFT and click the first and last tasks you want to link.

3. Click Link Tasks .

Project creates a finish-to-start task link by default. You can change this task link to start-to-start, finish-to-finish,
or start-to-finish.

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Link tasks by using the Network Diagram view

1. On the View menu, click Network Diagram.

2. Position the pointer in the center of the predecessor task box.

3. Drag to the successor task box.

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Link tasks by using the Calendar view

1. On the View menu, click Calendar.

2. Position the pointer on the calendar bar for the predecessor task.

3. Drag to the successor task's calendar bar.

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Turn autolinking on or off

By default, when you insert a task among linked tasks, the new task is automatically linked with the surrounding tasks. For
example, if you have three tasks with finish-to-start links and you add a new task between them, the new task will take on a
finish-to-start link with the tasks above and below it.

You can easily turn this option off, so that inserting a new task does not automatically link it with the surrounding tasks. If
autolinking is turned off, you can easily turn it back on.

1. On the Tools menu, click Options, and then click the Schedule tab.

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2. To turn autolinking off, clear the Autolink inserted or moved tasks check box.

To turn autolinking on, select the Autolink inserted or moved tasks check box.

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See Also

Create and manage inter-project dependencies

Create task dependencies (links) across projects
Display task scheduling information to learn how your project is being scheduled
I linked my tasks, but now the successor task doesn't move
I linked my tasks, but now they aren't linked correctly
I moved some tasks, and the task dependencies changed

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