Opening Project MPP files from different versions
Here’s the problem. You’ve created a project schedule, and now you want to send it to a team mate for review. Your team mate is having trouble opening and viewing the project because she has a version on Project earlier than yours. At this point, you have a few options, depending on who has which version of what:
Which Project version are you using? |
Which file version are you trying to open? |
Things to keep in mind |
Project 2007 |
Project 2010 |
No converter is available. If you received a Project 2010 file that you want to open using Project 2007, ask the person who sent the file to first save it to the Project 2007 file format. Alternately, you can install the trial version of Project 2010 and then view the file, or save it to the Project 2007 file format. |
Project 2003 |
Project 2007 or Project 2010 |
There are two possibilities here.
|
Project 2000 or Project 2002 |
Project 2007 or Project 2010 |
No converter is available. Ask the person who sent the Project 2007 or later file to save the file first in the Project 2000-2003 file format. |
Project 98 |
Project 2000 and later versions |
No converter is available. Consider upgrading to the latest version of Project, or install the trial version of Project 2010 to try out Project’s enhanced functionality. Alternately, ask the person who sent the Project 2000-2003 file to save the file first in the Project 98 file format. Note Project 2007 and later versions of Project do not have the ability to save to the Project 98 file format. |
That’s a nice table, but how do I tell which version of Project I have?
- For Project versions 98 through Project 2007, click the Help menu, and then click About Microsoft Office Project.
- For Project version 2010, click the File tab, then click Help.
Will I lose my data?
In nearly all cases, no. There can be a few exceptions, however. if you open a Project file created from a later version and save it the file to your current version, you can lose data or formatting in areas where the later versions contains enhanced functionality.
For example, new fields and custom fields Information within new fields from later versions of Project, or any formulas relying on new fields, will be lost. New options that are set on custom fields created in the later version of Project will be lost.
Another example. New calendar exceptions that were added to project and resource calendar functionality (such as monthly exceptions, yearly exceptions, and those with arbitrary dates) will be lost.
Comments
Anonymous
May 01, 2011
Has anyone had any issues in opening and modifying 32-bit Project 2010 or earlier versions of .mpp files from 2007/2003 32-bit version files in the 2010 64-bit version?Anonymous
May 02, 2011
What issues are you having?Anonymous
July 19, 2011
I'm kind of having the reverse issue. I'm using 64bit 2010 and if I try and save it to an older version (2007 or 2003) nobody can open it. If we take it to a 32 bit version of 2010 we can save it fine. Is there an issue with saving older versions using the 64 bit version?Anonymous
July 25, 2011
Don't think this table is entirely accurate. I have Project 2003 with SP3 loaded and cannot open Project 2010 files. I believe the converter is only for opening Project 2007 files with Project 2003Anonymous
July 30, 2011
Just as a followup, I downgraded to 32 bit office, visio & project (they all must be of the same type) and everything works fine now. Seems pretty amazing that project 2010 would still have this issue so long after being released.Anonymous
September 12, 2011
I agree with Larry. I have SP3 loaded, and cannot open 2010 format files.Anonymous
December 06, 2011
Links between multiple Project files will also be lost in the version change.