Opening .mpp Files from Earlier Versions of Microsoft Project
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Published: June 1, 2003
Microsoft Corporation
Applies to:
Microsoft Project 2002
Microsoft Project 2000
Microsoft Project 98
Summary Projects created in Microsoft Project 2000 or 98 are converted to the new format when opened in Microsoft Project 2002. Projects created in earlier versions must first be saved in Microsoft Project Exchange format before opening in Microsoft Project 2002.
On This Page
Opening .mpp Files Created in Microsoft Project 2000 or 98
Opening .mpp Files Created in Versions Earlier Than Microsoft Project 98
Additional Resources
Opening .mpp Files Created in Microsoft Project 2000 or 98
Projects created in Microsoft Project 2000 or Microsoft Project 98 are automatically converted to the newer format when opened in Microsoft Project 2002. This means that new settings, fields, and other items from Microsoft Project 2002 may be added to the projects created in earlier versions. However, there are some important differences regarding the items saved and displayed depending on which of those previous versions is used.
For Files Created in Microsoft Project 2000
If you open a Microsoft Project 2000 .mpp file in Microsoft Project 2002 and then save it, the .mpp file will include settings and other items from Microsoft Project 2002. However, if you open this .mpp file again in Microsoft Project 2000, the settings or other items from Microsoft Project 2002 are not visible, although they are still retained within the project.
For example, if you add the TCPI (to complete performance index) earned value field to your Gantt Chart in Microsoft Project 2002, and then open your project in Microsoft Project 2000, the TCPI field isn't displayed in the Gantt Chart until you open the project in Microsoft Project 2002 again.
If you open a project in Microsoft Project 2000 that was saved in Microsoft Project 2002, Organizer items such as views and tables that are unique to the later version will be represented with substitute items in Microsoft Project 2000. If any changes are made to the substitute items in Microsoft Project 2000, they will not be saved if the project is reopened in Microsoft Project 2002.
For Files Created in Microsoft Project 98
Once you have opened and saved a Microsoft Project 98 .mpp file in Microsoft Project 2002 format, you cannot reopen the .mpp file in Microsoft Project 98. You can use the Save As command to save a project as a Microsoft Project 98 file, but information specific to Microsoft Project 2002 is not saved within the .mpp file.
Opening .mpp Files Created in Versions Earlier Than Microsoft Project 98
You cannot open .mpp files created in versions earlier than Microsoft Project 98 in Microsoft Project 2002. You must first save the project in Microsoft Project Exchange (.mpx) format in the earlier version of Microsoft Project, and then open the .mpx file in Microsoft Project 2002.
In Microsoft Project, you can choose the .mpx file format in the File Open dialog box, in the Files of Type dropdown list.
Additional Resources
See the Help in Microsoft Project 2002 for more information about opening .mpp files from earlier versions.