Microsoft KB Archive/113311

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Project: Err Linking to Task with Actual Start and 0% Complete

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Q113311

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The information in this article applies to:


 * Microsoft Project for Windows, versions 3.0, 3.0a, 4.0
 * Microsoft Project for the Macintosh, version 3.0

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SYMPTOMS
In Microsoft Project, if you link two tasks, and the successor task has an Actual Start Date and is 0% complete, you receive the error message:

Late date before scheduled date in task (number).

In Project version 4.0, if you have the PlanningWizards turned on, and you link tasks under the conditions described above, you receive a Planning Wizard dialog box with the following message:

This action will cause a scheduling conflict. Task (number) of 'Project' is linked to a task that cannot move, and as a result the link cannot be honored.

This behavior occurs regardless of the options you select: that is, in Microsoft Project version 4.0, the Split In-Progress Tasks check box is selected on the Schedule tab of the Options dialog box; or, in Microsoft Project version 3.0, the Auto Split Tasks option is set to Yes in the Preferences dialog box.

STATUS
Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Microsoft products listed at the beginning of this article.

MORE INFORMATION
When you link two tasks, and the successor task has an Actual Start Date and a % Complete value other than 0%, if you have the Split In-Progress Tasks check box selected in Microsoft Project version 4.0, or the Auto Split Tasks option set to Yes in Project version 3.0, the Finish date for the successor task is changed to allow the tasks to be linked. If the % Complete for the successor task is 0, the remaining duration for the successor task is not rescheduled.

Steps to Reproduce Behavior
(Steps to reproduce behavior in Microsoft Project 4.0.)


 * 1) In a new project, enter two tasks, T1 and T2.
 * 2) Select T2. From the Tools menu, choose Tracking, and then choose Update Tasks. Under Actual, type today in the Start box and choose OK.
 * 3) Select T1 and T2, and choose the Link Tasks button from the Standard toolbar.

If you have the Advice About Errors check box selected on the General tab of the Options dialog box, a Planning Wizard dialog box appears. If you do not have this check box selected, you receive the message

Late date before scheduled date in task (number).