Subtasks and Summary Tasks in Microsoft Project
This tutorial on Subtasks and Summary Tasks in Microsoft Project is suitable for users of Project 2013/2016/2019.
Why Use MS Project Subtask?
MS Project subtask is used to give your project a proper structure. In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to add subtasks and summary tasks in Microsoft Project.
You’ll learn:
What are Subtasks and Summary Tasks in MS Project?
Project plans can get complicated. For any large project, there will be many tasks, and you must organize your plan in Microsoft Project, so it is logical, has structure, and is easy to understand.
One way to define the structure of a project is to use subtasks and summary tasks. In Project, an indented task becomes a subtask of the task above it, which becomes a summary task. A summary task consists of subtasks, and it shows their combined information.
Related:
How To Use Wbs Code In Microsoft Project 2013?
How To Open An Mpp File Without Microsoft Project? 3 Best Methods
Video Tutorial – MS Project Subtask
To see summary tasks and subtasks in action, please watch the following video tutorial.
How to Add Subtask in MS Project?
Adding an MS Project Subtask is very easy and straightforward if you follow these simple steps:
Creating a Subtask
In this example, I have a project plan for a wedding. The plan contains numerous tasks that need completing before the wedding day. Currently, the tasks are just listed out in Microsoft Project with their duration, start and end times, etc. but with no real structure.


To give the project structure and make it easier to understand, I am going to add subtasks and summary tasks to separate the top-level tasks.
In the example below, I have a task called ‘Attire.’ Tasks 3,4 and 5 fall under the heading of attire, so I am going to make them into subtasks.
- Select Task 3,4 and 5
- From the Task tab, in the Schedule group, click the Indent Task button or press Alt+Shift+Right
The tasks are now indented and have effectively become subtasks of Attire.
Attire is now displayed in bold as it is a summary task. Summary tasks are collapsible and expandable to help when modifying large projects.




Go through the project, adding subtasks and summary tasks wherever necessary.


You can also create subtasks of subtasks utilizing the same method. In this example, I have added three new tasks and made them subtasks of the ‘Bridal Party Fitting’ subtask. The subtask then becomes a summary task.


Show or Hide Subtasks
In larger projects, you might want only to show certain tasks at any given time.
- From the View tab, in the Data group, click the drop-down arrow under Outline.
- Make your selection depending on which tasks you would like to show or hide.


Moving Summary Tasks and Subtasks
You can move summary tasks and subtasks using the drag and drop method. All subtasks will move with the summary task. When you move an individual subtask, it will take with it its level of indentation.


Adding a Project Summary Task
You can show a project as a summary task in the task list. A project summary task displays your whole project on a single row with its own summary taskbar.
- From the Format tab, in the Show/Hide group, tick the Project Summary Task box.


Suggested Reads:
How To Combine Projects In Microsoft Project 2016
How To Change A Task Duration In Microsoft Project
Microsoft Project 2019: Linking Tasks And Dependencies
For more information relating subtasks and summary tasks in Microsoft Project, please check out the following links:
OnePager – Summary Tasks in Microsoft Project
Microsoft Support – Create and work with subtasks and summary tasks in Project desktop
For more free training resources on Microsoft Project take a look at:
- Free Microsoft Project Training Course
- Microsoft Project 2019 – Ribbon and Toolbar
- How to Open an MPP file without Microsoft Project
Take a look at the full range of Microsoft Project courses available from Simon Sez IT.