Summary bar status fill control

When "bar fill to status date" is active, the summary bar is filled to match the percent complete of the sub-tasks.

As shown below in the red circle, Project B's fill-to-status goes beyond the current date line because the bar's fill is based on the percent compete, not the current date line. The 85% complete value is calculated as the total completed duration of the Activities divided by the total overall duration of the Activities for Project B.

Additional explanation:

The value in a Percent Complete SmartColumn for the Summary Bar row is computed by adding all the completed duration of the sub-tasks and dividing by the total duration of all the sub-tasks. This percentage value is then used to control how much of the Summary Bar is filled in.

 Even if all sub-tasks are tracking exactly to the current date, the Summary Bar may be filled to a point either before the current date or after the current date since it is merely a gauge of the progress of all the sub-tasks, and not tied to the current date.

Override the summary bar status fill:

Use a status symbol to control the portion of the summary bar that is filled.

By creating a status symbol and placing it on the summary bar row, it's possible to force the bar to fill to the status symbol. Thus, it is possible to fill the summary bar to the current date or any other date independently of the percent complete value.

 Adding an overriding status symbol to the summary bar does not change the percent complete value.

Force the summary bar to fill to the current date:

1. Click Layout | Other | Summary Bar Settings...

2. Summary Bars Always Fill to Current Date

Completely fill summary bars:

1. Click Layout | Other | Summary Bar Settings...

2. Summary Bars Ignore Fill to Status Setting.