Applicable to:
Express   ✔ Planning   ✔ Professional   ✔



Project Templates


A Project Template is simply a file with no existing activities, but containing a number of predefined fields (such as Project Calendars). Whether you are using a pre-defined Project Template or starting a fresh, the basic procedures are very similar.


Using a Project Template for all new projects will have the following benefits:-

  • Quicker to prepare a project programme
  • Holidays & Non-working days can be pre-set
  • Each programme produced will have a consistent look and feel
  • Available reporting can be standardised

You can access the Default Template file from the Crest Software ProgramData directory:


File > Open Project > Open Template


What Does a Project Template Contain?


A Project Template is likely to contain the following:

  • Pre-defined Project Calendar with standard ‘Non-Work’ periods (e.g. Holidays)
  • User-defined User fields to allow standard project information to be printed as a header
  • Colour and Style of activity bars
  • Ability to show or hide the Critical Path
  • Ability to change individual activities to reflect type of work (e.g. Trade)
  • Reports will have consistent headers, footers and logo’s
  • The settings will invoke AutoSaving every 5 minutes


Starting a New Project Using a Template


To start a new project, follow these steps:-

  • Open the ‘Read-Only’ Project Template [Go to File > Open Project > Open Template]


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  • ‘Save-As’ with a new project name in a suitable project directory
  • Open the Project Details dialogue and complete all key data
  • If required, go to the ‘User’ tab on Project Details and complete all ‘Header’ data


If not using a predefined template, CS Project Planning automatically creates a blank project named ‘Untitled’. If you wish to load a previously saved project, simply open the Project using ‘File-Open’ or the Open Icon, and the blank project will be replaced.


Note: the ‘Untitled’ project can be closed without saving, unless you have already entered data.



View – Project Details


On the Start Toolbar, select Project Details…



To start a new project, the following items are essential:

  • Project Number (ID)
  • Project Title (Name)
  • Project Start Date (Target Start)
  • Working days (set the project calendar)