---
title: "BigGantt 8.5.0 Release notes"
canonical: "https://support.appfire.com/space/DLP/298061090/BigGantt%208.5.0%20Release%20notes"
format: markdown
---
## Improved onboarding and greater ease of use
### [Field mapping](https://appfire.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/BIGGANTT/pages/313892520) screen on the first admin launch of the app
Tasked with configuring BigPicture? First, you need to map Jira fields onto BigPicture… and now the field mapping screen will pop up immediately on your first admin launch of the app.
![image]()
### [Start using BigPicture just by selecting what you want to do](https://appfire.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/BIGGANTT/pages/2211710624)
New to BigPicture? No worries! You’ll set your first initiative just by selecting what you want to plan, track, manage, and report on to import relevant Jira projects into the app.
### [Contextual quick help is always at hand](https://appfire.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/BIGGANTT/pages/1198096987)
Now you get instant contextual access to relevant documents right in the app.
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## Your management command center is getting more customizable
### [Configurable Overview module column views](https://appfire.atlassian.net/wiki/pages/createpage.action?spaceKey=BIGGANTT&title=Column%20View)
Configure what columns of your Overview to show. And save your preferred views for future use - to easily access the big picture view of your business you want.
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### Drag-and-drop management of the Overview structure
Structure and restructure your portfolio in the most intuitive way. Arrange and rearrange your portfolios and initiatives by simply dragging and dropping items across the Overview module. The items will end up exactly where you place them.
You can switch between sorting and manual modes without losing the manual data order.
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## Gantt-charting is becoming more intuitive
### [Snipe to task on Gantt](https://appfire.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/BIGGANTT/pages/315885788)
Searching for specific tasks in the Gantt module is becoming easier and more intuitive. The items you search for are now highlighted and displayed among other items, so you never lose the context.
### [Story Point effort mode in the Gantt Resource Panel](https://appfire.atlassian.net/wiki/pages/createpage.action?spaceKey=BIGGANTT&title=Resources%20panel)
If you use Gantt as an agile roadmapping tool or for timelining hybrid initiatives, you can now display the estimated and actual work effort expressed in story points, right in the resource panel.
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## Resource management is more flexible and intuitive
### [Planning half-day absences](https://appfire.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/BIGGANTT/pages/315557451)
If your organization’s policy allows for half-day absences, now you can reflect those accurately in BigPicture.
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## Enhanced portfolio management
### [Custom columns based on Strings, Numbers, Dates, and Estimations](https://appfire.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/BIGGANTT/pages/313924389)
Every business case is unique and so are the metrics and indicators you might want to attach and track. Now, you can easily do so by adding your own custom columns based on strings, numbers, dates or estimations.
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## Other changes
| **Category** | **Feature description** | **Sneak peek** |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Navigation and layout | **Scope definition**
The "save" button is positioned at the bottom left. |  |
| **App Configuration** and **App Administration** - direct links to frequently used app configuration pages (wrench icon at the top right → drop-down menu) |  |
| **App settings drop-down (wrench icon at top right) updated**
Jira Admin and/or App Admin is able to find all the settings he/she is looking for easily and quickly.
You can navigate directly to a particular settings tab:
- App administration
- Box types
- Resources
- Security
- App configuration
- General
- Modules
- Integrations
- Widgets
- Security
- License
- Region
- Advanced
**Important:** drop-down options are role dependent |  |
| Field mapping | You can review and change the field mapping.
Changes affect only the project the Box is based on (separate configuration saved by the app).
**Conditions**: applicable only when the scope of a Box is based on a single Jira project. | ![image]()
 |
| new task duration fields | **Two new task duration fields are available**:
- Duration calendar days - based on the number of calendar days (start to end date)
- Duration working days - based on the number of working days (non-working days excluded
Those fields can be added to column views.
**Important:** Read-only fields - the "duration" fields have informational value and are based on task data. | ![image]() |
| Overview module | **Column views - full functionality added to the Overview module**
In the Overview module you can:
- make temporary changes to an existing view (doesn't affect other users)
- update an existing column view
- create a new column view
**Important**: Column views of the Hierarchy mode and Timeline mode are independent and must be changed separately. | ![image]() |
| **Box status - inline editing **
You can add a "Status" column to the Overview module. Then, use inline editing to change the value and update a Box status. | ![image]() |
| **"Inactive for" column is available**
You can see when the Box has been used for the last time. | ![image]() |
| Creating Boxes | **Define Box scope during Box creation**
You can add Jira projects to the scope of the Box during the creation process.
**Note**: After creation, advanced settings are available in Box configuration. If you want the Box to be based on a Jira board or filters configure the scope after a Box has been created. |  |
| Story Points conversion | **Story points conversion ratio can be set to "0"** |  |
| Resources panel (Gantt module) | **Story Points effort mode is available on the Resource Panel (Gantt module)** | ![image]() |
| BigTemplate | **Scope module - export to .pdf ** | ![image]() |
| **Import date format**
Three date formats are recognized:
- yyyy-MM-dd (e.g. 2021-12-31)
- dd-MM-yyyy (e.g. 31-12-2021)
- MMM/dd/yyyy (e.g. Dec/31/2021). | |