The toolbox

In addition to the main tools on the top row, the toolbox offers symbols, bars, vertical links and drawing tools. Each symbol, horizontal bar, and vertical link can be changed to a different shape, color and more. Changes to the toolbox are saved with the individual schedule. A custom toolbox can be saved with the default template.

Tutorial Lesson 4 - Customize the toolbox

In this topic, learn:

How to choose the toolbox location

What's in the toolbox?

How to customize the toolbox contents

How to copy and paste toolbox rows

How to copy the toolbox to another schedule

How to start every schedule with the same toolbox

Choose the toolbox location

Right-click anywhere on the toolbox and choose Sidebar Options.
In the Sidebar Options dialog box, choose Show Sidebar on right or left.
This will anchor the toolbox within the sidebar on either the right side or the left side of the schedule.
For a free-floating toolbox, choose Do Not Show Sidebar.
Close and restart Milestones in order for the Sidebar changes to take effect.

Toolbox on the sidebar

Floating

For a free-floating toolbox, choose Do Not Show Sidebar.

What's in the toolbox?

The Toolbox

The toolbox displays rows of symbol+bar+symbol combinations which can be added to the schedule in a quick click-drag-and-drop movement. Symbols can also be added independently.

The 3 main tools (plus, arrow and text)
The drawing tools (line, box, circle), optional
From 1-32 rows of symbol+bar+symbol combinations
From 0-2 rows of vertical connectors.

	Plus tool - Use to add symbols, horizontal bars and vertical links.
	Arrow tool - Use to change symbol dates, and to move and select items on the schedule.
	Text tool - Use to type text directly onto the schedule.
	Line tool - Use to draw lines on the schedule.
	Box tool - Use to draw boxes on the schedule.
	Circle tool - Use to draw circles on the schedule.

Customize the toolbox contents

Change toolbox properties

Right-click the toolbox.
Choose Toolbox Properties.
Open File with Arrow Tool Active. This helps avoid adding symbols until the user actively clicks the Plus tool in the toolbox.
Choose the values for the number of Symbols, Horizontal Bars, and Vertical Link Rows.
Extra Highlighting for Selection to add a thick black line around the current tools, symbols and bars.
Show Light Blue Background for Current Selection to add a light blue color to the selected symbols and bars.
Show Line, Box and Circle Tools to include these tools in the toolbox. (Typically not needed)

Change the number of rows of symbols and bars

Under Rows make a selection from 1-32.

Customize the toolbox vertical links

Vertical links can be used to establish dependencies (predecessor and successor relationships) between dates on different task rows.

The set of links displayed in the toolbox is just a small subset of the vertical link types built into Milestones Professional. Double-click a vertical link in the toolbox to change its properties.

Largest possible toolbox

32 rows of symbols+bars
2 rows of vertical connectors
drawing tools

Minimalist toolbox

2 rows of symbols and bars
no vertical connectors
no drawing tools

Background color

We recommend light blue but other colors are possible:

Hide the floating toolbox

Floating toolboxes can be hidden by right clicking the toolbox and choosing Hide Toolbox. To show a hidden toolbox, just right-click the schedule and choose Toggle Toolbox Display.

Customize the toolbox drawing tools

The drawing tools in the toolbox are used to add extra annotation to the schedule.

Double-Click on the Drawing Tool (Circle tool , Line tool , or Box tool ) that you want to customize.
Change the properties of the tool.
Click OK. From now on, when customized tool is used, it will use the chosen properties.

Copy a toolbox to another schedule

Open both schedules in the same instance of Milestones (a single Milestones window with two files open).
Right-click anywhere on the toolbox
Choose Copy Toolbox.
Choose View | Window Controls | Switch Window menu and select the other schedule.
Right-click that schedule's toolbox and choose Paste Toolbox.

Copy and paste a toolbox row

Click the small plus next to the row to be copied. This will select the row.
Right-click the selected row and choose Copy Selected Row.
Click the small plus next to the row to be changed.
Right-click the "destination" toolbox row and choose Paste Copied row over selected.

A toolbox row can also be copied to another schedule. On the View tab, click the small arrow next to Switch Windows to use a different schedule

Start every schedule with the same toolbox

Once a toolbox has been customized, it can be saved as part of the default template for use on all future schedules created with the New file icon. Just save a template (File | Save As | Personal Template) with the name Default.mtp

Determine which toolbox symbol is being used

Right click the symbol.
Choose Select Symbol and Bar in the Toolbox.
The symbol and connector (if any) being used will highlight in the toolbox.

Hide or show tooltips for the toolbox

To hide tooltips which appear next to the cursor in the toolbox, choose Tools | Program Options | Help and choose No Tooltips in Toolbox.