PRJ: Issues Using the Project 98 or Later MPX Format in Project 4.x (177476)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Project 2000
  • Microsoft Project 98 for Windows
This article was previously published under Q177476

SUMMARY

In Microsoft Project 4.x, when you open an MPX file saved in Microsoft Project 98 or later, you may find some of your data is incorrect or missing. This article describes some of the issues with using the MPX file format that Microsoft Project 98 or later creates.

The MPX 4.0 file format was created prior to Microsoft Project 98, and therefore does not support fields and features that are new in Microsoft Project 98.

MORE INFORMATION

You can save Microsoft Project data in the MPX 4.0 file format from Microsoft Project 98 or later, but the MPX 4.0 file may lose or change information related to the new features. Further, Microsoft Project 4.x may schedule the file differently than Microsoft Project 98 or later, which contains a new scheduling engine.

Some examples of behavior that are seen in Microsoft Project 4.x:

  • If values entered in Microsoft Project 98 or later exceed the capabilities of Microsoft Project 4.x, Microsoft Project 4.x may instead use its maximum value, you may receive an error, or the file may not open. For example, if you assign more than 100 resource units to a task in Microsoft Project 98 or later, Microsoft Project 4.x only uses 100 units. If more than 9,999 tasks or resources exist, you exceed the maximum task and resource limit in Microsoft Project 4.x, which displays errors and does not let you open the file.
  • Inserted projects and cross-project links may result in the following error message:
    "Cannot find subproject '\[directory]\[filename]'"
    Microsoft Project then allows you to select the appropriate project. After selecting the appropriate project, the error message appears again and you have to cancel the process. Cross-project links are not available in Microsoft Project 4.x.
  • Tasks with splits or resource contouring show incorrect dates, resource units or work in Microsoft Project 4.x, because resource contouring and task splitting are not available. Microsoft Project 4.x recalculates duration, finish dates, or resource units when you open the MPX file.
  • Microsoft Project 98 or later includes many new fields. Because these new fields do not exist in Microsoft Project 4.x, they are not included when you save the file in MPX 4.0 format.

REFERENCES

For additional information, please see the following articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

84119 PRJ: Using .MPX Files with the Export Table

86346 PRJ: Differences in Feature Capacities for MS Project 1.x - 98

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:7/27/2006
Keywords:kberrmsg kbprb KB177476
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