Define general activity properties
==================================

.. index:: Define general activity properties

In order to define the general properties of an activity, do as follows:

- Activate the tab **General** in the window Activity properties.

|image0|

Field **Due date**

- Choose the option **Start** if you have a fixed start date of the
  activity and enter **Date** and **Time**. The finish date of the
  activity will be calculated automatically.
- Choose the option **Finish** if you have a fixed finish date of the
  activity and enter **Date** and **Time**. The start date of the
  activity will be calculated automatically.
  **Note:** You can move the start date and finish date of an activity
  much more quickly in the diagram by using the mouse to shift the
  activity.
- Mark the check box **Fix** if the activity due dates in the
  optional date calculations that have been selected via the menu must
  not be shifted.
- Mark the check box **Mark as milestone** if you want to label the
  activity as milestone.
  In this case, activity duration is set to zero.
  Field **Activity calendar**
- Select the calendar you want to use from the drop down list
  **Activity calendar**.

The button |image1| allows for the quick access to the actual
calendar.

- Mark the check box **Disregard team calendar and employee calendar**
  if the team calendar and employee calendar should not be regarded in
  new activities.
- Mark the check box **Start of activity only at first shift** if the
  start of activity is permitted to begin only at the first shift.
- Mark the check box **Merge into one line** if you want to have several
  activities succeeding in a row displayed hierarchically independent.
- Enter the percentage of completion of an activity in the field
  **Completed**.
- Enter extra costs that are not on display along with the resources
  in the field **Fixed costs**.
  
Field **Financing**

- Enter the amount of the payment period in the field **Invoice
  amount**.
- Define a period of time in business days for the due date of the
  payment in the field **Term of payment**.
- You can enter the date of the payment receipt in the field
  **Receipt of payment** only if you have declared the milestone to be
  100% completed.
  Once you have marked the milestone as 100% completed, the payment receipt 
  is displayed automatically along with the due date of the
  milestone plus the term of payment. You may also correct the date.
- Select the color you want to use from the drop down list
  **Color**
- Click on the button **OK**.


.. |image0| image:: ../images/task_property_general.png
.. |image1| image:: ../images/button_custom.png