Sub Project Titles Do Not Update in Master and Vice Versa

[Andrew]

I have a Master project with several inserted sub-projects. Everything
updates and works as expected except for a couple of things.

1. If I change the label/name of the Project Summary Task in a sub-project
it does not update in the master. For example, if I go to File-Properties and
change the Title of the sub-project while I am in the sub-project the title
updates in the sub-project, but not in master. Same thing happens if I change
the name in the Task Information window. Same thing also happens if I do this
in the Master - it does not update to the sub-project. I have to change it in
both places. It seems that this is just how Project works: when one inserts a
sub-project it takes the current Title but it is static.

2. Font formatting does not update between the Master Project file and the
individual project files.

For now I am making those changes in both places. If I'm missing something
and there is a way to keep those changes linked I'd love to know.

Thanks,
Andrew

ps - using Project 2003 on Windows XP SP2

 

[John]

I have a Master project with several inserted sub-projects. Everything
updates and works as expected except for a couple of things.

1. If I change the label/name of the Project Summary Task in a sub-project
it does not update in the master. For example, if I go to File-Properties and
change the Title of the sub-project while I am in the sub-project the title
updates in the sub-project, but not in master. Same thing happens if I change
the name in the Task Information window. Same thing also happens if I do this
in the Master - it does not update to the sub-project. I have to change it in
both places. It seems that this is just how Project works: when one inserts a
sub-project it takes the current Title but it is static.

2. Font formatting does not update between the Master Project file and the
individual project files.

For now I am making those changes in both places. If I'm missing something
and there is a way to keep those changes linked I'd love to know.

Thanks,
Andrew

ps - using Project 2003 on Windows XP SP2

Andrew,
Both items are an issue of understanding what a master file really is.
When you create a master, the subprojects do not actually become a part
of the master, rather the master only contains pointers to the
subproject files. However, the insertion point summary line for each
subproject in the master IS part of the master. Therefore changing the
name of that summary line will have no impact on the title of the
subproject itself.

In similar manner, master views are unique to the master. Font
characteristics applied to master views will have no impact on the
subproject file itself. If you want to set font characteristics of tasks
in a subproject, you will need to do it in the actual subproject.

Hope this helps.
John
Project MVP

 

[Mike Glen]

Hi Andrew,

Welcome to this Microsoft Project newsgroup

You have to understand that a Master file only holds placemarkers for each
of the inserted projects and does not hold the project itself. Thus, if you
change label/names in the original project, the master won't be able to
identify it. If you must change names, then just re-create the master (it
doesn't take long!).

Equally, the individual projects have their own file in which details like
fonts are kept and the master has its own as well. The fonts in the master
thus adopt the master's settings and not those of the individual files.

FAQs, companion products and other useful Project information can be seen at
this web address: http://project.mvps.org/faqs.htm

Hope this helps - please let us know how you get on

Mike Glen
MS Project MVP
See http://tinyurl.com/2xbhc for my free Project Tutorials

 

[Andrew]

Mike and John - thanks for your explanation. That makes sense.

 

[Mike Glen]

You're welcome, Andrew

Mike Glen
MS Project MVP
See http://tinyurl.com/2xbhc for my free Project Tutorials

 

[John]

Mike and John - thanks for your explanation. That makes sense.

Andrew,
You're welcome and thanks for the feedback.
John