September 2025 Newsletter

Video: Symbol Dates in Milestones Professional

Learn how you can hide all symbol dates, move the symbol date around your symbols, and even show dates as part of the Symbol Text or Symbol Notes.

Check out this video to see how!

Check out our Videos page to see all of our available videos. You can also directly go to our Youtube Channel to see them as well.

Be sure to Subscribe to our Youtube Channel for all the latest and greatest Milestones software videos!

September 2025 Tips and Tricks

For these and more, view Tips and Tricks for September 2025

Move a symbol and keep the same date
When I move symbols to another task row, the dates changes.  I want the dates to stay the same when the symbols are rearranged on the schedule.  Is there a way to make them stick to their original date?

Rearrange task rows
I want to move tasks on one page over to another page.  What’s the procedure?

Force a bar to be on top of another one
I have two bars which partially overlap.  How can I force the green bar to be hidden behind the red bar?

Code your Microsoft Project file for fast one page schedules
My Microsoft Project schedule is just unwieldy, about 10,000 tasks.  I would like to be able to pick certain tasks that are in Microsoft Project and show ONLY those tasks and group them together in about 5 groups.
Part of the problem is that the tasks aren’t together in Microsoft Project.  Is there any way to get these related tasks to appear in a group on my presentation chart?

Make a legend as a group
I would like to make a legend I can just drag around, but the standard legend options aren’t flexible enough for my needs.

Set vertical symbol position via automation
I can’t seem to find a way to set the position of a symbol (upper/middle/lower) via automation.  Is there a way to do this?

Work with a schedule with no columns
I am converting my schedule to a “no columns” schedule so that it is more presentable.  I have “issues” doing some of the task line tasks I’m used to doing by selecting a task row in the column.   For example, I’m having trouble changing the shading of a task row. How do I select a task and then do what I need to do?

Blank symbol in the toolbox
I am sharing my schedule with others.  However, when I share the schedule, all of my custom bitmap symbols are missing and show up as blank symbols in the toolbox.

For these and more, view Tips and Tricks for September 2025

Upgrade to Milestones Professional 2025

Click here to Upgrade to Milestones Professional 2025 for only $199 (if you already own any version of Milestones Professional).

To see what has changed, check out our “What’s New in Milestones Professional 2025” page.

Join the Milestones Professional Users LinkedIn Group

For anyone interested, there’s a free Milestones Professional user group on LinkedIn you can join to share best practices, network with other users, and maybe learn some tips along the way from other experienced Milestones users. To join, head over to the following website and click Join: https://www.linkedin.com/groups?home=&gid=6796817

Note: This user group is an unofficial group run by Milestones software users, and is not managed by KIDASA Software, Inc. A free LinkedIn account is required to join the group.

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    August 2025 Newsletter

    Video: Continuous View and Full Screen in Milestones Professional

    With Milestones Professional, you can view your schedule in “normal” view, which you’re probably used to. But did you know you can also view it in “continuous” view, or “full screen” mode?

    Check out this video to see how!

    Check out our Videos page to see all of our available videos. You can also directly go to our Youtube Channel to see them as well.

    Be sure to Subscribe to our Youtube Channel for all the latest and greatest Milestones software videos!

    August 2025 Tips and Tricks

    For these and more, view Tips and Tricks for August 2025

    Refresh text file missing
    I upgraded to Milestones Professional 2025.  My old version (2023) used to put a file with the refreesh results in the Documents folder.  It doesn’t seem to be there in 2025.

    Hide baseline summary bars
    How can one use baseline task bars for sub-tasks but not display them at the summary level?

    Allocate manpower for an upcoming project
    I want to be able to determine how many people I might need for an upcoming project.  Does Milestones (Professional) have any capability in this area?

    Gridlines showing on top of logo
    I am trying to make my schedule look better.  I added some graphics but the horizontal lines and shading are showing up on top of the pictures.  Is there anything I can do about this?

    Change fields of all symbol tags
    I have a schedule that is linked to a MSProject file for Start and Finish Dates. I’d like to convert all of the lines I already have linked to Baseline Start and Baseline Finish instead. How can I do this in 1 step instead of line by line?

    Add a missing Microsoft Project field to a schedule
    I imported my Microsoft Project schedule but forgot one of the project fields.  Can I add it in?

    Import Microsoft Project files directly into PowerPoint
    I want to bring my Microsoft Project data into Milestones and then create a PowerPoint presentation.  Is there a quick, easy way to do this?

    Work with dense schedules
    I am trying to move and better organize the symbols and symbol text on in my schedule, which is very crowded.  Do you have any suggestions?

    For these and more, view Tips and Tricks for August 2025

    Upgrade to Milestones Professional 2025

    Click here to Upgrade to Milestones Professional 2025 for only $199 (if you already own any version of Milestones Professional).

    To see what has changed, check out our “What’s New in Milestones Professional 2025” page.

    Join the Milestones Professional Users LinkedIn Group

    For anyone interested, there’s a free Milestones Professional user group on LinkedIn you can join to share best practices, network with other users, and maybe learn some tips along the way from other experienced Milestones users. To join, head over to the following website and click Join: https://www.linkedin.com/groups?home=&gid=6796817

    Note: This user group is an unofficial group run by Milestones software users, and is not managed by KIDASA Software, Inc. A free LinkedIn account is required to join the group.

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      July 2025 Newsletter

      Video: Use Excel and P6 with Milestones Professional

      Check out how you can export an excel file from P6, remove some tasks, and import the rest into Milestones Professional. Then, you can see how to Refresh the data directly from a P6 XER file if your dates change.

      Check out this video to see how!

      Check out our Videos page to see all of our available videos. You can also directly go to our Youtube Channel to see them as well.

      Be sure to Subscribe to our Youtube Channel for all the latest and greatest Milestones software videos!

      July 2025 Tips and Tricks

      For these and more, view Tips and Tricks for July 2025

      Mysterious item on my schedule
      There is a box on my schedule that I can’t select.  I think it’s a text box.

      Custom indicators for a Values column
      I want to show a stoplight column based on text or a number in another column.  Can I do this?

      Move a column
      How do I move a column from one side of the schedule to the other?

      Numbered date headings
      I want numbers instead of letters or month names in the date headings.  This is for a project proposal.  I don’t know when the project will start.

      Vertical lines similar to current date line
      Can you please let me know whether I can insert a date line which is not a current date or status date but just a vertical line at a specific date.

      Duration values for single milestones
      Why does a single milestone automatically have a 0-day duration instead of 1 day?

      Control the percent complete fill on a summary bar
      I need some help with Milestone Professional. The summary bar “fill to status date” roll-up does not represent the indented “fill to status date” tasks below the summary. Am I missing something or doing it incorrectly or what?

      Add a stoplight column
      What is the easiest way to add a stoplight column to my schedule?  I want to control the color of the stoplight for each task.

      Dashed connectors appear when solid is set in the toolbox
      I have a solid horizontal connector in the toolbox but the connectors on the schedule are coming out dashed, what’s the deal with that?

      Don’t want short pages when using page breaks
      Is there a way to use a page break which doesn’t truncate the bottom of the chart?  I want my pages to all be the same number of tasks per page.

      For these and more, view Tips and Tricks for July 2025

      Upgrade to Milestones Professional 2025

      Click here to Upgrade to Milestones Professional 2025 for only $199 (if you already own any version of Milestones Professional).

      To see what has changed, check out our “What’s New in Milestones Professional 2025” page.

      Join the Milestones Professional Users LinkedIn Group

      For anyone interested, there’s a free Milestones Professional user group on LinkedIn you can join to share best practices, network with other users, and maybe learn some tips along the way from other experienced Milestones users. To join, head over to the following website and click Join: https://www.linkedin.com/groups?home=&gid=6796817

      Note: This user group is an unofficial group run by Milestones software users, and is not managed by KIDASA Software, Inc. A free LinkedIn account is required to join the group.

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        May 2025 Newsletter

        Video: Custom Symbols in Milestones Professional

        Did you know you can create custom shapes to use as symbols in Milestones Professional?

        Check out this video to see how!

        Check out our Videos page to see all of our available videos. You can also directly go to our Youtube Channel to see them as well.

        Be sure to Subscribe to our Youtube Channel for all the latest and greatest Milestones software videos!

        May 2025 Tips and Tricks

        For these and more, view Tips and Tricks for May 2025

        Some bars have the wrong color
        Why are the bars below red?  Other tasks have the bar color set in the toolbox.  I would like them all the same.

        Show multiple milestones on a summary bar
        I want to be able be able to have multiple milestones summarized on a roll-up summary bar.   Additionally, each symbol will be a different color.

        Show symbols above or below the bar

        How do I add a downward pointing triangle, arrow or other symbol to the toolbox so that when added, it adds the milestone below or above the bar?  I want to have a bar with several milestones above it but may also want to show milestones below the bar.

        Space symbols without changing date
        I have three symbols which are very close to each other.  How can I space these symbols without changing their dates?

        Add a date below symbol text
        I know I can have a symbol date and symbol text displayed with a symbol, separately.  Is there a way to show them together?  I want the symbol’s date shown right under a line of symbol text.  I want them both shown above the symbol.

        Add a link
        Hey, can I insert a link into my schedule?  Does it go in a text box or is there some special vehicle for it?

        For these and more, view Tips and Tricks for May 2025

        Upgrade to Milestones Professional 2025

        Click here to Upgrade to Milestones Professional 2025 for only $199 (if you already own any version of Milestones Professional).

        To see what has changed, check out our “What’s New in Milestones Professional 2025” page.

        Join the Milestones Professional Users LinkedIn Group

        For anyone interested, there’s a free Milestones Professional user group on LinkedIn you can join to share best practices, network with other users, and maybe learn some tips along the way from other experienced Milestones users. To join, head over to the following website and click Join: https://www.linkedin.com/groups?home=&gid=6796817

        Note: This user group is an unofficial group run by Milestones software users, and is not managed by KIDASA Software, Inc. A free LinkedIn account is required to join the group.

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          April 2025 Newsletter

          Video: Groups in Milestones Professional (New Feature in Version 2025!)

          Milestones Professional 2025 introduces a cool new feature: The ability to group boxes, text, images, lines, etc. so you can move them around the schedule at the same time.

          Check out the video to see this new feature in action!

          Check out our Videos page to see all of our available videos. You can also directly go to our Youtube Channel to see them as well.

          Be sure to Subscribe to our Youtube Channel for all the latest and greatest Milestones software videos!

          April 2025 Tips and Tricks

          For these and more, view Tips and Tricks for April 2025

          Draw a bar across a single day
          When adding a task bar to the schedule, the start and end symbols are automatically placed in the middle of the day (visually). Is there a way to have the task bar’s endpoints positioned at the very beginning and very end of the day segments, respectively?

          Trouble Refreshing or Importing from Project
          When I run refresh, there are no updates to my schedule even though I know my Microsoft Project schedule has changed.

          Turn off collapse/expand indicators
          I would like to turn off the red triangles which appear in my first column to the left of the schedule area.  How can I do this?

          Freeze the date headings and left column
          I have a large schedule that I need to easily scroll through while viewing the columns at the same time.  What are my options?

          Inactive Microsoft Project tasks
          I have tasks marked Inactive in Microsoft Project.  When refreshing, I would like to be able to identify any symbols on my Milestones schedule which are linked to tasks which are inactive.  How is this accomplished?

          Suggested symbols and bars for “Birds on a Wire” charts
          I like the “Birds on a Wire” charts I have seen made in PowerPoint.  I know these are easier in Milestones. Can you give me a clue how to make mine look like this with Milestones (sample made in PowerPoint)?

          Multi-Undo is off warning
          On some of my schedules I get this warning.  Why is this undo off and how can I turn it back on?

          Lines drawn don’t move
          I am using lines to separate the rows on my schedule.  However, they aren’t moving when I move task rows or insert new ones.

          Toolbar bottom is cut off
          My symbol tabs are missing when I select a symbol to modify.  I tried rebooting to no avail. Please advise.

          For these and more, view Tips and Tricks for April 2025

          Upgrade to Milestones Professional 2025

          Click here to Upgrade to Milestones Professional 2025 for only $199 (if you already own any version of Milestones Professional).

          To see what has changed, check out our “What’s New in Milestones Professional 2025” page.

          Join the Milestones Professional Users LinkedIn Group

          For anyone interested, there’s a free Milestones Professional user group on LinkedIn you can join to share best practices, network with other users, and maybe learn some tips along the way from other experienced Milestones users. To join, head over to the following website and click Join: https://www.linkedin.com/groups?home=&gid=6796817

          Note: This user group is an unofficial group run by Milestones software users, and is not managed by KIDASA Software, Inc. A free LinkedIn account is required to join the group.

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            March 2025 Newsletter

            Video: Milestones Add-in For Microsoft Project (Requires 2025)

            Check out this video to see a big new feature in Milestones Professional 2025.

            We have a new way to get your MS Project information into Milestones Professional. Download the Milestones MS Project Add-in today and check out how easy it is to use!

            Check out our Videos page to see all of our available videos. You can also directly go to our Youtube Channel to see them as well.

            Be sure to Subscribe to our Youtube Channel for all the latest and greatest Milestones software videos!

            March 2025 Tips and Tricks

            For these and more, view Tips and Tricks for March 2025

            Microsoft Project Add In
            Where can I find the Microsoft Project Add-in for Milestones?

            New in Milestones Professional 2025
            What is new in Milestones Professional 2025?

            Show curtain in front of task bars
            Can a curtain be shown in front of a task bar?

            Coded symbols and bars
            When importing an MS Project file using the Code Bars and Symbols format, is there a way to have each of the individual task rows within a swim lane show up so that they are on separate rows within the swim lane when you first do the import instead of having to try and individually move each of the tasks to separate rows.

            Make a legend as a group
            I would like to make a legend I can just drag around, but the standard legend options aren’t flexible enough for my needs.

             

            Transparent text
            When I double-click a toolbox symbol, the Text Background is set to Default.   How do I set the default?

            Copy a toolbox to another schedule
            I have created a toolbox that is perfect for my needs.  Can I copy it to another schedule?

            Scroll-Lock affects arrow keys
            I am trying to move symbols to different outlines within the row but holding down shift and then using the arrow to go up or down.  This normally works but is not currently working for me.

            Set up a default format and toolbox
            I want all new schedules to be in a certain format, with only the symbols and connectors I use displayed in the toolbox.  Is this possible?

            Shade holidays
            How do I shade holidays?

            Shift all dates
            I have a schedule which I used last year for a project.  I have a project coming up which starts in a couple of months.  The project schedule will be close to identical and I would like to start with an exact copy of the schedule I used, but have it start on a future date.  Is this possible?

            For these and more, view Tips and Tricks for March 2025

            Upgrade to Milestones Professional 2025

            Click here to Upgrade to Milestones Professional 2025 for only $199 (if you already own any version of Milestones Professional).

            To see what has changed, check out our “What’s New in Milestones Professional 2025” page.

            Join the Milestones Professional Users LinkedIn Group

            For anyone interested, there’s a free Milestones Professional user group on LinkedIn you can join to share best practices, network with other users, and maybe learn some tips along the way from other experienced Milestones users. To join, head over to the following website and click Join: https://www.linkedin.com/groups?home=&gid=6796817

            Note: This user group is an unofficial group run by Milestones software users, and is not managed by KIDASA Software, Inc. A free LinkedIn account is required to join the group.

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              February 2025 Newsletter

              Video: What’s New In Milestones Professional 2025

              Check out this video to see some of the big new features in Milestones Professional 2025.

              These include Grouping objects, new bar types, new bar gradient options, Select Symbols by Date Range, our new MS Project Add-in, and more!

              Check out our Videos page to see all of our available videos. You can also directly go to our Youtube Channel to see them as well.

              Be sure to Subscribe to our Youtube Channel for all the latest and greatest Milestones software videos!

              February 2025 Tips and Tricks

              For these and more, view Tips and Tricks for February 2025

              Microsoft Project Add In
              Where can I find the Microsoft Project Add-in for Milestones?

              Reset startup choices
              I’ve inadvertently ‘switched off’ the File Open Dialogue Window (the one where I can select from the various files I’ve worked on).  When I now open MSPro, it directly opens the default template file instead of opening the File Open Dialogue Window.  Please advise on how to reactivate.

              Bars not lining up
              Below attached can you please advise how to align the bars properly and alos text on the bars are not vertically middle.

              Toolbar bottom is cut off
              The top RIbbon where File, Connections, Edit ,Dates Insert, Layout format tabs are goes missing periodically.. How do I ensure that these items are not hidden?

              Attach a date heading to a task row
              Other than adding a text note, is there a method to add a custom date format as Q4FY25 or QTR4FY25 to either milestones or task bars?

              For these and more, view Tips and Tricks for February 2025

              Upgrade to Milestones Professional 2025

              Click here to Upgrade to Milestones Professional 2025 for only $199 (if you already own any version of Milestones Professional).

              To see what has changed, check out our “What’s New in Milestones Professional 2025” page.

              Join the Milestones Professional Users LinkedIn Group

              For anyone interested, there’s a free Milestones Professional user group on LinkedIn you can join to share best practices, network with other users, and maybe learn some tips along the way from other experienced Milestones users. To join, head over to the following website and click Join: https://www.linkedin.com/groups?home=&gid=6796817

              Note: This user group is an unofficial group run by Milestones software users, and is not managed by KIDASA Software, Inc. A free LinkedIn account is required to join the group.

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                November 2024 Newsletter

                Video: Timeline from MS Project

                See how you can use our “Link to Active MS Project Task” to create a nice looking timeline in Milestones Professional. The cool thing is that you can update the schedule automatically when your MS Project dates change.

                Check out the video below:

                Check out our Videos page to see all of our available videos. You can also directly go to our Youtube Channel to see them as well.

                Be sure to Subscribe to our Youtube Channel for all the latest and greatest Milestones software videos!

                November 2024 Tips and Tricks

                For these and more, view Tips and Tricks for November 2024

                Set up a swimlane schedule
                I want to create a “Swim-Lane” chart.  How do I get started?

                Assign specific text to a toolbox symbol
                Is there any way that I can assign each toolbox symbol to have a specific text to it or to include the task name next to each symbol automatically so I don’t have to do it manually?

                Add a percent complete symbol in a column
                How do I add a percent complete symbol to a column?

                Blank custom symbol in the toolbox when sharing
                I am sharing my schedule with others.  However, when I share the schedule, all of my custom bitmap symbols are missing and show up as blank symbols in the toolbox.

                Add a link
                Hey, can I insert a link into my schedule?  Does it go in a text box or is there some special vehicle for it?

                Attach a date heading to a task row
                I want to add a date heading about half-way through my schedule.  Is this possible?

                For these and more, view Tips and Tricks for November 2024

                Upgrade to Milestones Professional 2025

                Click here to Upgrade to Milestones Professional 2025 for only $199 (if you already own any version of Milestones Professional).

                To see what has changed, check out our “What’s New in Milestones Professional 2025” page.

                Join the Milestones Professional Users LinkedIn Group

                For anyone interested, there’s a free Milestones Professional user group on LinkedIn you can join to share best practices, network with other users, and maybe learn some tips along the way from other experienced Milestones users. To join, head over to the following website and click Join: https://www.linkedin.com/groups?home=&gid=6796817

                Note: This user group is an unofficial group run by Milestones software users, and is not managed by KIDASA Software, Inc. A free LinkedIn account is required to join the group.

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                  September 2024 Newsletter

                  Video: Logarithmic Date Headings

                  Did you know that you can expand certain months on your schedule?Using Logarithmic Date Headings, you can make certain time frames up to 8 times larger!

                  Check out the video below:

                  Check out our Videos page to see all of our available videos. You can also directly go to our Youtube Channel to see them as well.

                  Be sure to Subscribe to our Youtube Channel for all the latest and greatest Milestones software videos!

                  September 2024 Tips and Tricks

                  For these and more, view Tips and Tricks for September 2024

                  Copy symbols from one schedule to another
                  I need to copy some symbols on one schedule to another schedule.  How can I do this?

                  Sanitize a project schedule
                  Is there a quick way to remove all links to any and all milestones in your file quickly, without having to go to each milestone?   We’d like to strip off all links associated with milestones within a file and any short names we’ve given or placed on a file.

                  Calculate BCWS using baseline duration
                  I have a row with many milestones (20 or so).  I would like to calculate the difference between two specific milestones on each row of my schedule.  (Start up date and First Delivery Date) Any ideas?

                  Frequency of use of a toolbox symbol
                  Is there a way to get a summary of how many times each toolbox symbol has been used?  I need to identify which symbols in the toolbox have been used the least.

                  Calculate difference between two milestone dates on a row with many milestones
                  I have a row with many milestones (20 or so).  I would like to calculate the difference between two specific milestones on each row of my schedule.  (Start up date and First Delivery Date) Any ideas?

                  Change the default save location
                  I would like to change the default location where charts are saved.  How can I do this?

                  Change the font size of many symbols at once
                  I want to change the font size of all symbols at once.

                  Customize the toolbox
                  I notice that the Milestones schedules all have different toolboxes.  Can I customize my toolbox so that when I create new schedules, I always start with the same toolbox?

                  Date format and importing from Excel
                  We are trying to import a spreadsheet from Excel to Milestones. We have correctly mapped the dates to the proper fields, yet the start and finish dates are not appearing in the Milestones schedule. What is the solution?

                  Date heading divider override
                  In the Date Heading area: is there a way to make the background color dark and the divider lines lighter?

                  For these and more, view Tips and Tricks for September 2024

                  Upgrade to Milestones Professional 2025

                  Click here to Upgrade to Milestones Professional 2025 for only $199 (if you already own any version of Milestones Professional).

                  To see what has changed, check out our “What’s New in Milestones Professional 2025” page.

                  Join the Milestones Professional Users LinkedIn Group

                  For anyone interested, there’s a free Milestones Professional user group on LinkedIn you can join to share best practices, network with other users, and maybe learn some tips along the way from other experienced Milestones users. To join, head over to the following website and click Join: https://www.linkedin.com/groups?home=&gid=6796817

                  Note: This user group is an unofficial group run by Milestones software users, and is not managed by KIDASA Software, Inc. A free LinkedIn account is required to join the group.

                    Sign up for our newsletter!

                    August 2024 Newsletter

                    Video: Tips and Tricks #4 for Milestones Professional

                    We made another Tips and Tricks video, this time talking about copying / moving symbols between rows, Filtering your rows by symbol type, 3 different ways to show Vertical Text, and more!

                    Check out the video below:

                    Check out our Videos page to see all of our available videos. You can also directly go to our Youtube Channel to see them as well.

                    Be sure to Subscribe to our Youtube Channel for all the latest and greatest Milestones software videos!

                    August 2024 Tips and Tricks

                    For these and more, view Tips and Tricks for August 2024

                    Only one letter showing for month
                    I am trying to recreate a template that we use in Milestones Professional.  In the attached format, the month is represented by one letter versus 3.

                    Remove shadow from some symbols
                    I have several triangle symbols on my schedule.  That said, I only want to show a shadow on a few of them. Is it possible to do that without having to change all of them?  I can’t find the option when I click on the triangles that I want to change.

                    Find a task row
                    How do I add column data that shows me the “Task Row” that my milestone/bar is on? In “Symbol Properties” I can open tab “Vertical Links” to see that I have connected my milestone to “Task Row 403” but I have no way of finding that row.

                    Horizontal bar height
                    I need to change the vertical width of horizontal bars on my schedule.  Right now I want all the horizontal bars to be much thicker.

                    Month after start of contract date headings
                    Would it be possible to show date heading as a monthly count based on an event or milestone without utilizing custom heading options?

                    We would like to show range of month before milestone as count down (e.g. -1, -2, -3 and so on of the month from project award, and +1, +2, +3 of month after project award).

                    For these and more, view Tips and Tricks for August 2024

                    Upgrade to Milestones Professional 2025

                    Click here to Upgrade to Milestones Professional 2025 for only $199 (if you already own any version of Milestones Professional).

                    To see what has changed, check out our “What’s New in Milestones Professional 2025” page.

                    Join the Milestones Professional Users LinkedIn Group

                    For anyone interested, there’s a free Milestones Professional user group on LinkedIn you can join to share best practices, network with other users, and maybe learn some tips along the way from other experienced Milestones users. To join, head over to the following website and click Join: https://www.linkedin.com/groups?home=&gid=6796817

                    Note: This user group is an unofficial group run by Milestones software users, and is not managed by KIDASA Software, Inc. A free LinkedIn account is required to join the group.

                      Sign up for our newsletter!