How to Display Critical Path in Microsoft Project

Quick summary

The critical path in Microsoft Project identifies the sequence of tasks that directly controls your project's finish date. Enabling the Critical Tasks highlight in the Gantt Chart view lets project managers instantly see which tasks cannot slip without delaying the entire project.

Steps

1. Open your Microsoft Project file and switch to the Gantt Chart view — this is the starting point for displaying the critical path.
2. Navigate to the Gantt Chart Format tab in the ribbon at the top of your screen to access chart formatting and critical path visualization options.
3. In the Bar Styles group, locate and check the Critical Tasks checkbox to enable critical path highlighting.
4. Review your Gantt chart — critical path tasks now appear highlighted in red, identifying every task whose delay would push back the project end date.