Formula to count Detail Tasks within a Summary Task

[blacksheep]

Is there a way to use a custom Number field to display a value for SUMMARY TASKS ONLY which shows the number of sub-tasks within that summary task?

[The Recruiter]

No. Custom fields work on a row by row basis, so the idea of counting tasks under a summary wouldn't work. You could add a number field, enter 1 into each subtask and then set the summary row to Sum - but you'd have to manually enter "1" for each subtask.

[blacksheep]

Actually I can take your idea and automate it a bit.

I created a custom field Number1 with a formula value of:

IIf([Start]<>"NA",1,0)

This always equates to 1, because every task has a Start date.

Now I set the summary task to roll up to the SUM.

The I set a Graphical Indicator to display a red circle if the Summary Row value is greater than 6 (meaning there are more than 6 sub-tasks). The goal is to obey the "Rule of Six" in which there are no more than 6 sub-tasks per Summary Task.

Just tested it and it works perfectly.

[The Recruiter]

Thats great

I'm glad you were able to sort it out and thanks for sharing your result.