> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://learn.nextedy.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Use Classic Project Brackets View

> Switch parent work items from the default task bar rendering to classic bracket notation in your Nextedy GANTT chart, providing a traditional project management visual for derived-schedule items.

export const LastReviewed = ({date}) => {
  if (!date) return null;
  const formatted = new Date(`${date}T00:00:00Z`).toLocaleDateString("en-US", {
    year: "numeric",
    month: "long",
    day: "numeric",
    timeZone: "UTC"
  });
  return <p className="mt-10 text-sm text-gray-400 dark:text-zinc-500 not-prose">
      Last reviewed on {formatted}
    </p>;
};

## When to Use Brackets

In the Gantt chart, parent work items with a derived schedule (dates calculated from their children) can be displayed in two ways:

| Display Mode         | Visual Style                                    | Best For                                                            |
| -------------------- | ----------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Default (tasks)**  | Standard task bars, similar to child work items | Modern, unified look                                                |
| **Classic brackets** | Bracket shapes spanning the child date range    | Traditional project management view, clear parent-child distinction |

The classic bracket view makes it immediately obvious which items are containers with derived schedules versus individual tasks with their own dates.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/none-17b4493f/Jklvz9qm2AdmIvBG/gantt/diagrams/guides/visualization/classic-project-brackets/diagram-1.svg?fit=max&auto=format&n=Jklvz9qm2AdmIvBG&q=85&s=4da6a0e45e74b89aa5d272c9fa3c9142" alt="diagram" style={{ maxWidth: "480px", width: "100%" }} width="480" height="120" data-path="gantt/diagrams/guides/visualization/classic-project-brackets/diagram-1.svg" />
</Frame>

<Steps>
  <Step title="Enable Classic Brackets Globally">
    Navigate to **Administration > Configuration Properties** and add the following property:

    ```
    nextedy.gantt.classic_project=true
    ```

    This applies the bracket rendering to all Gantt widgets across the project. Parent work items with a derived schedule now appear as brackets instead of standard task bars.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enable for a Specific Widget (Optional)">
    If you prefer to enable brackets on a single Gantt widget rather than globally, add the following to **Widget Properties > Advanced > Gantt Config Script**:

    ```javascript theme={null}
    gantt.config.classic_project = true;
    ```

    <Tip title="Override Global Setting Per Widget">
      You can set `nextedy.gantt.classic_project=true` globally and then override it on specific widgets with `gantt.config.classic_project = false;` in the Gantt Config Script. The widget-level setting takes precedence.
    </Tip>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verify the Result">
    After applying the configuration:

    1. Reload the Gantt chart page.
    2. Locate any parent work item whose schedule is derived from its children.
    3. Confirm that it now renders as a bracket shape spanning the date range of its children, rather than as a standard task bar.

    <Warning title="Right-Side Text on Brackets">
      In versions prior to **24.11.3**, right-side text configured via `rightside_text` templates was not displayed on bracket-style items. Upgrade to version 24.11.3 or later if you need right-side text on classic bracket items.
    </Warning>
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Verification

You should now see parent work items rendered as bracket shapes in the Gantt chart. Child work items beneath them display as standard task bars. The bracket spans from the earliest child start date to the latest child end date.

## See Also

* [Derive Parent Schedule from Children](/gantt/guides/scheduling/parent-derived-schedule)
* [Configure Right-Side Text on Task Bars](/gantt/guides/visualization/right-side-text)
* [Configure Item Colors](/gantt/guides/visualization/configure-colors)
* [Configure Milestone Work Items](/gantt/guides/visualization/milestones)

<LastReviewed date="2026-07-02" />