You receive a "The file format is not supported" error message when you try to open a project file in Microsoft Project 2002 (324503)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Project Professional 2002
  • Microsoft Project Standard 2002
This article was previously published under Q324503

SYMPTOMS

When you try to open a project file in Microsoft Project, you may receive an error message that is similar to the following:
The file format is not supported.

The file was created in a pre-release version of Microsoft Project and cannot be opened.

CAUSE

This behavior can occur if the project that you want to open was created in a beta or trial version of Microsoft Project 2002.

RESOLUTION

To work around this problem, use Microsoft Project 2000 to open and save the file in Microsoft Project 2000 format, and then open the project in Microsoft Project 2002. To do so:
  1. Start Microsoft Project 2000, and then open your project file.
  2. On the File menu, click Save As.
  3. Specify a file name and location where you want to save the file, and then click Save.
  4. Click Yes if you receive the following message:

    This file has been created by a different version of Microsoft Project.

    If you continue saving the file with the Save As command, some data may be lost.

    Do you want to continue?

  5. Quit Project.
  6. Start Microsoft Project 2002, and open the project file that you previously saved in Microsoft Project 2000 format.

MORE INFORMATION

Microsoft Project 2000 does not include all the features in Microsoft Project 2002. Therefore, information that is specific to the unique features of Microsoft Project 2002, such as the enterprise features, may not be retained if you open and then save your project in Microsoft Project 2000.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:9/14/2004
Keywords:kbprb KB324503
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