Using Scripts to Manage Project's View Options

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Sample VBScript scripts that demonstrate how you can both retrieve and configure the Microsoft Project 2003 View options.

Mapping the Dialog Box to the Project Object Model

The options referenced in the following scripts correspond to the options found on the View tab of the Options dialog box. To access these options in Microsoft Project 2003, click Tools, click Options, and then click the View tab. A mapping between the options available in this dialog box and the Microsoft Project object model is shown below.

View

Note that the items shown in orange do not have a corresponding property in the Project object model. The current values for Project screentips and Show outline symbol cannot be returned using the script for retrieving property values; however, the values for these items can be configured using methods. A sample script using the methods required to change these values is included on this page.

The scripts shown on this page were tested using Microsoft Project 2003. At least some of the functionality is likely to work on any version of Microsoft Project that supports Visual Basic for Applications (VBA); however, the scripts have not been tested using any of these other versions.

Sample Code for Retrieving Values

Sample script that retrieves the configuration information found on the View tab in the Options dialog box in Microsoft Project 2003.

Const pjDoNotSave = 0

Set objProject = CreateObject("MSProject.Application")

Set colProjects = objProject.Projects
Set objDoc = colProjects.Add()

Wscript.Echo "Default view: " & objProject.DefaultView
Wscript.Echo "Date format: " & objProject.DefaultDateFormat
Wscript.Echo "Status bar: " & objProject.DisplayStatusBar
Wscript.Echo "Windows in Taskbar: " & objProject.DisplayWindowsInTaskbar
Wscript.Echo "Scroll bars: " & objProject.DisplayScrollBars
Wscript.Echo "Entry bar: " & objProject.DisplayEntryBar
Wscript.Echo "OLE links indicators: " & objProject.DisplayOLEIndicator
Wscript.Echo "Show external successors: " & _
    objDoc.ShowExternalSuccessors
Wscript.Echo "Show external predecessors: " & _
    objDoc.ShowExternalPredecessors
Wscript.Echo "Show Links Between Projects dialog on open: " & _
    objDoc.ShowCrossProjectLinksInfo
Wscript.Echo "Automatically accept new external data: " & _
    objDoc.AcceptNewExternalData
Wscript.Echo "Symbol: " & objDoc.CurrencySymbol
Wscript.Echo "Placement: " & objDoc.CurrencySymbolPosition
Wscript.Echo "Decimal digits: " & objDoc.CurrencyDigits

objProject.Quit(pjDoNotSave)

Sample Code for Modifying Values

Sample script that disables the option Status bar.

Const pjDoNotSave = 0

Set objProject = CreateObject("MSProject.Application")

Set colProjects = objProject.Projects
Set objDoc = colProjects.Add()

objProject.DisplayStatusBar = FALSE

objProject.Quit(pjDoNotSave)

Sample Code for Modifying Values Without Corresponding Properties

Sample script that disables the Project screentips and Show outline symbol options. The commas preceding the value FALSE represent other values that can be configured using this method; the blank parameters instruct the method to leave existing values for these items as-is.

Set objProject = CreateObject("MSProject.Application")

Set colProjects = objProject.Projects
Set objDoc = colProjects.Add()

errReturn = objProject.OptionsView(,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,FALSE) 
objProject.OutlineSymbolsToggle(FALSE)

objProject.Quit(pjDoNotSave)

The sample scripts are not supported under any Microsoft standard support program or service. The sample scripts are provided AS IS without warranty of any kind. Microsoft further disclaims all implied warranties including, without limitation, any implied warranties of merchantability or of fitness for a particular purpose. The entire risk arising out of the use or performance of the sample scripts and documentation remains with you. In no event shall Microsoft, its authors, or anyone else involved in the creation, production, or delivery of the scripts be liable for any damages whatsoever (including, without limitation, damages for loss of business profits, business interruption, loss of business information, or other pecuniary loss) arising out of the use of or inability to use the sample scripts or documentation, even if Microsoft has been advised of the possibility of such damages.