Can you find what version of Project a plan was created with ?

[Fred Newton]

Is there a way of finding out what version of Microsoft Project was
used to create a project plan ? One of my users has a file (I haven't
seen it yet so do't know the suffix) and is trying to find a way to
open it. She want's to know the version of Project that it was created
with so that she can get it installed as 2000 won't do it.

Any suggestions gratefully received.

Regards
Fred Newton

[John]

Post by Fred Newton
Is there a way of finding out what version of Microsoft Project was
used to create a project plan ? One of my users has a file (I haven't
seen it yet so do't know the suffix) and is trying to find a way to
open it. She want's to know the version of Project that it was created
with so that she can get it installed as 2000 won't do it.
Any suggestions gratefully received.
Regards
Fred Newton

Fred,
I don't know if there is any way to find the version a file was created
with but that probably isn't relevant to your user. If she is trying to
open the Plan with Project 2000 and can't, the file is either corrupt or
the file was created with a version of Project prior to Project 98. Any
file created in Project 98 can be opened with Project 98 through Project
2003, however the reverse isn't necessarily true.

If the file was created in a version prior to Project 98, someone with
Project 98 will need to open the file and re-save it so Project 2000 can
open it. If you don't have Project 98 and you don't mind sending the
file via e-mail, I will open and convert it for you (provided it is not
corrupt). If you send it, be sure to zip it.

If the file won't open because it is corrupt, it may or may not be
recoverable but without various versions of Project it may be difficult
to try recovery techniques.

Hope this helps.
John

[Mike Glen]

Hi Fred,

Next time, try posting on the project newsgroup as this one is closing down.
Please see FAQ Item: 24. Project Newsgroups. FAQs, companion products and
other useful Project information can be seen at this web address:
http://www.mvps.org/project/.

Mike Glen
Project MVP

Post by Fred Newton
Is there a way of finding out what version of Microsoft Project was
used to create a project plan ? One of my users has a file (I haven't
seen it yet so do't know the suffix) and is trying to find a way to
open it. She want's to know the version of Project that it was created
with so that she can get it installed as 2000 won't do it.
Any suggestions gratefully received.
Regards
Fred Newton

[Fred Newton]

Hi John,

Thanks for the info. This was a case, I now find, of the user having
sent out a Project/2000 plan to someone who had Project/98. They then
saved it as Project/98 but the user still couldn't read it. The sender
wanted to check that the plan she believed as being saved in
Project/98 was actually Project/98. That said, she's now snap-shot'ed
the plan and pasted the pictures into word.

Hi Mike,

Thanks for the advice, will do. However, will the Project2000 &
ProjectCentral boards still be available for reference as we are stuck
in a timewarp and, "without the necessary business funding", won't be
moving to Project/2002 or 2003 for some time yet.

Regards
Fred

[Mike Glen]

As I understand it, this ng will eventually be removed from the listing by
Microsoft in the near future. The postings should still be available via
google. However, any future needs of 2000 will be served by the project ng
and Central by the server ng.


Mike Glen
Project MVP

Post by Fred Newton
Hi John,
Thanks for the info. This was a case, I now find, of the user having
sent out a Project/2000 plan to someone who had Project/98. They then
saved it as Project/98 but the user still couldn't read it. The sender
wanted to check that the plan she believed as being saved in
Project/98 was actually Project/98. That said, she's now snap-shot'ed
the plan and pasted the pictures into word.
Hi Mike,
Thanks for the advice, will do. However, will the Project2000 &
ProjectCentral boards still be available for reference as we are stuck
in a timewarp and, "without the necessary business funding", won't be
moving to Project/2002 or 2003 for some time yet.
Regards
Fred

[John]

Post by Fred Newton
Hi John,
Thanks for the info. This was a case, I now find, of the user having
sent out a Project/2000 plan to someone who had Project/98. They then
saved it as Project/98 but the user still couldn't read it. The sender
wanted to check that the plan she believed as being saved in
Project/98 was actually Project/98. That said, she's now snap-shot'ed
the plan and pasted the pictures into word.
Hi Mike,
Thanks for the advice, will do. However, will the Project2000 &
ProjectCentral boards still be available for reference as we are stuck
in a timewarp and, "without the necessary business funding", won't be
moving to Project/2002 or 2003 for some time yet.
Regards
Fred

Fred,
It sounds like the problem was resolved . . . kind of. Forward
compatibility between Project 98 and later versions is very good but
going the other way, as your user did, can sometimes be a problem. It
has been a while since I had to go backwards but I recall some problems
with going from Project 2000 to Project 98 even if the file is saved as
"Project 98". I don't remember all the details but I recall the Project
2000 file needs to be saved as Project 98 to the originator's hard
drive. The converted file can then be sent to someone who has Project 98
and it should open fine.

John