PRJ98: Elapsed Duration Lost When Opening MPX File in Project 4 (187490)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Project 98 for Windows
  • Microsoft Project for Windows 4.0
  • Microsoft Project for Windows 95 4.1
  • Microsoft Project for Windows 95 4.1a
This article was previously published under Q187490

SYMPTOMS

In Microsoft Project 4.0, 4.1, and 4.1a, when you open an MPX 4.0 file that was saved in Microsoft Project 98, tasks that had an elapsed duration will no longer have an elapsed duration and their duration values may change.

CAUSE

This problem occurs because Microsoft Project 98 schedules differently than earlier versions.

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, use either of the following methods.

Method 1: Change the Location of the Duration Field

Change the location of the Duration field in the Export table by following these steps:

  1. In Microsoft Project 98, on the View menu, point to Table: <table name> and click More Tables.
  2. In the More Tables dialog box click the Task option button.
  3. In the list of tables, click Export, and then click Edit.
  4. In the Field Name column, click Duration, and then click Cut Row.
  5. In the Field Name column, click Early Start, and then click Paste Row.
  6. Click OK.
  7. In the More Tables dialog box, click Close.
  8. Resave your project as MPX 4.0 format. (On the File menu, click Save As. In the File Save dialog box, click MPX 4.0 (*.mpx) in the Save As Type list.)
Elapsed duration tasks will now be displayed correctly when you open the file in earlier versions of Microsoft Project.

Method 2: Change the Task Type to Fixed Duration

Change the Task Type to Fixed Duration by following these steps:

  1. In Microsoft Project 98, select the task that has an elapsed duration value.
  2. On the Project menu, click Task Information and then click the Advanced tab.
  3. In the Task Type list click Fixed Duration. Click OK.
  4. Resave your project as MPX 4.0 format. (On the File menu, click Save As. In the File Save dialog box, click MPX 4.0 (*.mpx) in the Save As Type list.)
Elapsed duration tasks will now be displayed correctly when opening the file in earlier versions of Microsoft Project.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the versions of Microsoft Project listed above.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:11/25/2003
Keywords:kbbug kbconversion kbnofix KB187490
©2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.