The Print Gantt Chart functionality is fairly straightforward, but you may occasionally see results you do not expect, or have problems with the generated PDF. This topic attempts to address issues you are likely to encounter.
Task Range Validation:
The way in which starting/ending Task Range values are handled can result in unexpected results in your PDF.
- Reversed values—If the starting value is larger than the ending value, PPM assumes you want a range of tasks from the lower number to the higher number. In this example tasks 1 to 20 are included in the PDF:
- Empty range—If the starting/ending range you specify does not include any tasks, an empty PDF file (one without any tasks) is created. Note: The PDF still includes some information but no tasks display:
- Negative values—If the starting or ending fields include negative values, PPM converts them to positive values.
- Non-whole number values—If the starting and ending fields include values that are not whole numbers, an error displays. Note: This is most likely using copy/paste.
Task From/To Date Validation
Validation of the From and To fields is similar to the validation of the Range fields.
- Reversed values—If the From date is later than the To date, PPM assumes you want a range of tasks from the earlier date to the later date.
In this example tasks within the span of 9/30 and 11/1/2010 are included in the PDF:
- Empty range—If the From/To range you specify does not include any tasks, an empty PDF file (one without any tasks) is created. Note: The PDF still includes some information but no tasks display.
- Invalid date values—If the From or To fields include values that are not valid dates for your configured PPM culture, an error displays. Note: This could reflect a culture mis-match or none-date data from using copy/paste. A culture mis-match might be using a MM/DD/YYYY format when your configured culture requires a DD/MM/YYYY format.
Empty PDF (no tasks)
There could be several reasons why your PDF does not include any tasks:
- No tasks fall in the Task Range you specified.
- The schedule does not have tasks that span any part of the From/To dates you specified.
To troubleshoot: Generate the PDF again, without changing the Task Range or dates. These default to include the entire valid range of tasks and dates in the schedule.
Missing Task Name, Number, % Complete
By default none of the task fields are selected in the Print Gantt Options dialog. If you click Create PDF without adding fields to Selected list, your Gantt chart will contain all the tasks and full date range of your schedule, but no details about the tasks (other than assignees).
To troubleshoot: Generate the PDF again, making sure to select at least some of the Available fields.
Missing dates in header (no calendar dates)
If you select a From date that coincides with a milestone task, your printed Gantt chart will display without dates in the Header.
Missing dates in Header:
Dates showing correctly in Header:
To troubleshoot: Generate the PDF again and select a different From date.
Missing or truncated dates for first week
If you select a From date other than the first day of the week (most calendars start on Sunday in PPM), your printed Gantt chart will display with truncated or missing dates for the first displayed week:
Printing a large Gantt chart across multiple pages
To print a large Gantt chart select the Poster option when printing your PDF:
- Open the PDF of the Gantt chart.
- Select Print.
- Click the Poster icon located in the Page Sizing & Handling section.
- Select Print.
Note: Users of PDF 9 or earlier will need to select the Tile Large Pages option fro the Page Scaling pop-up window.
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