errors using Compare Project Versions Utility

[Paul]

Hi,

I can compare simple project files successfully, but when trying to compare
two larger (~500 task) Microsoft Project files I receive the following error
messages at which point the comparison stops and a restart of MS Project is
required.

--------
Compare Project versions Utility

Run-time error 1101':m
The argument value is not valid.
-------
Errorl
An error occurred in the cOM Add-in named: Compare Project versions
Error #:440
Automation error
Please restart Microsoft Office Project to restart the coM Add-in.
OK

 

[John]

Hi,

I can compare simple project files successfully, but when trying to compare
two larger (~500 task) Microsoft Project files I receive the following error
messages at which point the comparison stops and a restart of MS Project is
required.

--------
Compare Project versions Utility

Run-time error 1101':m
The argument value is not valid.
-------
Errorl
An error occurred in the cOM Add-in named: Compare Project versions
Error #:440
Automation error
Please restart Microsoft Office Project to restart the coM Add-in.
OK

Paul,
My first question is, which version of Project are you using? Second,
are you trying to run the comparison on two files in a Project Server
environment? Third, are you trying to run the comparison on consolidated
projects (master projects with inserted subprojects)? Fourth, do both
versions for comparison have a common genealogy (i.e. one file was made
directly from the other)?

The compare utility has trouble if a given Project field is duplicated
in multiple columns. Try comparing using the default Gantt Chart view
(i.e. Name, Duration, Start, Finish, Predecessors, Resource Names) for
both files. If that still fails, try deleting half the tasks in both
files (note: the remaining tasks must have the same Unique IDs).

Let us know what you find out.

John
Project MVP

 

[Len]

I have been having the same problem, and it seems related to two separate
things. If I open project such that it picks my current Global.mpt (lots of
macros, filters, views, tables, etc etc) I cannot even compare trivial files.
If I cause project to open with a generic version of Global.mpt, then I can
compare pretty big plans (1,700 tasks or so). However, if there is a lot of
change between the two plans (not insert/deletes, just changed data like
dates) then it crashes with the 1101 error. I am about to have the guy
running the compares go through a process of cutting the bigger plans in
halves or thirds to get the compares to work. Before I resort to that, do
you have any other suggestions?

 

[John]

I have been having the same problem, and it seems related to two separate
things. If I open project such that it picks my current Global.mpt (lots of
macros, filters, views, tables, etc etc) I cannot even compare trivial files.
If I cause project to open with a generic version of Global.mpt, then I can
compare pretty big plans (1,700 tasks or so). However, if there is a lot of
change between the two plans (not insert/deletes, just changed data like
dates) then it crashes with the 1101 error. I am about to have the guy
running the compares go through a process of cutting the bigger plans in
halves or thirds to get the compares to work. Before I resort to that, do
you have any other suggestions?

Len,
The Global file itself has nothing to do with the compare utility
running or not. What it does tell me however is that the customized view
you are using for the compare is causing problems - that's why the view
in the generic Global works. Take a look at which fields you are
displaying as columns in your custom view. My guess is that you either
have a field repeated (more than one column), or you may be using one of
the fields the utility uses for presenting its "findings" in the compare
file it creates.

As far as the file size, that also should have no bearing on whether the
utility runs or not. However to troubleshoot, I would either have to
look at the files, (and I'm willing to do that), or you can use the
progressive deletion method to isolate where it fails and go from there.

John
Project MVP

 

[Bob]

I have been having the same problem, and it seems related to two separate
things. If I open project such that it picks my current Global.mpt (lots of
macros, filters, views, tables, etc etc) I cannot even compare trivial files.
If I cause project to open with a generic version of Global.mpt, then I can
compare pretty big plans (1,700 tasks or so). However, if there is a lot of
change between the two plans (not insert/deletes, just changed data like
dates) then it crashes with the 1101 error. I am about to have the guy
running the compares go through a process of cutting the bigger plans in
halves or thirds to get the compares to work. Before I resort to that, do
you have any other suggestions?

Len,
The Global file itself has nothing to do with the compare utility
running or not. What it does tell me however is that the customized view
you are using for the compare is causing problems - that's why the view
in the generic Global works. Take a look at which fields you are
displaying as columns in your custom view. My guess is that you either
have a field repeated (more than one column), or you may be using one of
the fields the utility uses for presenting its "findings" in the compare
file it creates.

As far as the file size, that also should have no bearing on whether the
utility runs or not. However to troubleshoot, I would either have to
look at the files, (and I'm willing to do that), or you can use the
progressive deletion method to isolate where it fails and go from there.

John
Project MVP

:
Hi
I am having the same problem on my work laptop and my home pc.
I have created simple 10 task projects with default standard views and
very minor changes and it still fails.
I made the mistake of installing SP3 for project in both locations
before checking out everything.

I will monitor this post if you find a solution because it is a pain
in the anatomy that this should stop working...

Thanks,

Bob

 

[Len]

Hi John,
Thanks for the quick response. I built a plan with 7 tasks, copied it to
have an exact copy (one copied from the other to make Unique ID the same...)
built a table with only Name, Start, Finish, Baseline Start and Baseline
Finish fields. I made sure that each plan showed that table, and ran the
compare. I got the dreaded 1101 runtime error. I then closed Project and
brought it up with a 'generic' global file, and it worked perfectly.

I was also able to take a plan that compares properly (1,700 tasts) to its
clone (no changes), and I started changing Finish Dates and re-comparing. I
finally reached a point where I got the 1101. I did not do any inserts or
deletes, nor did I change any other fields besides Finish. It acts like
there is a table overflow or something that occurs if there is enough change
from one plan to another.

I am running Project 2003 Pro, SP2.

 

[John]

Hi John,
Thanks for the quick response. I built a plan with 7 tasks, copied it to
have an exact copy (one copied from the other to make Unique ID the same...)
built a table with only Name, Start, Finish, Baseline Start and Baseline
Finish fields. I made sure that each plan showed that table, and ran the
compare. I got the dreaded 1101 runtime error. I then closed Project and
brought it up with a 'generic' global file, and it worked perfectly.

I was also able to take a plan that compares properly (1,700 tasts) to its
clone (no changes), and I started changing Finish Dates and re-comparing. I
finally reached a point where I got the 1101. I did not do any inserts or
deletes, nor did I change any other fields besides Finish. It acts like
there is a table overflow or something that occurs if there is enough change
from one plan to another.

I am running Project 2003 Pro, SP2.

Len,
It's possible your custom Global file is corrupt. You might try creating
a new custom Global and methodically transfer your custom items to the
new Global using the Organizer one group, (i.e. filters, tables, maps,
etc.), at a time. I would expect the views and tables to be the most
relevant to the compare utility so you might just want to completely
re-create those custom items. Try that and let us know if it helps. If
not, we may have to use a little more aggressive troubleshooting
techniques.

With regard to the "overflow" issue, I've never seen that before and a
measly 1700 tasks with any number of field changes shouldn't be a
problem for the utility, but then again, I don't know the details of the
code behind the utility, I only know the basis of how it works (since I
wrote my own compare utility many years ago - before it was included
with Project).

Let's see how things go with the first issue and then we can address the
second issue.

John
Project MVP

 

[John]

Len,
The Global file itself has nothing to do with the compare utility
running or not. What it does tell me however is that the customized view
you are using for the compare is causing problems - that's why the view
in the generic Global works. Take a look at which fields you are
displaying as columns in your custom view. My guess is that you either
have a field repeated (more than one column), or you may be using one of
the fields the utility uses for presenting its "findings" in the compare
file it creates.

As far as the file size, that also should have no bearing on whether the
utility runs or not. However to troubleshoot, I would either have to
look at the files, (and I'm willing to do that), or you can use the
progressive deletion method to isolate where it fails and go from there.

John
Project MVP




Hi
I am having the same problem on my work laptop and my home pc.
I have created simple 10 task projects with default standard views and
very minor changes and it still fails.
I made the mistake of installing SP3 for project in both locations
before checking out everything.

I will monitor this post if you find a solution because it is a pain
in the anatomy that this should stop working...

Thanks,

Bob

Bob,
I don't know if installing SP3 has any adverse impact on the compare
utility. I didn't install SP3 since none of the "fixes" were relevant
and one of them was not desirable, at least for my needs. If possible
can you try the compare on a co-worker's PC that doesn't have SP3
installed?

John
Project MVP

 

[Bob]

I have been having the same problem, and it seems related to two separate
things. If I open project such that it picks my current Global.mpt (lots
of
macros, filters, views, tables, etc etc) I cannot even compare trivial
files.
If I cause project to open with a generic version of Global.mpt, then I
can
compare pretty big plans (1,700 tasks or so). However, if there is a lot
of
change between the two plans (not insert/deletes, just changed data like
dates) then it crashes with the 1101 error. I am about to have the guy
running the compares go through a process of cutting the bigger plans in
halves or thirds to get the compares to work. Before I resort to that,
do
you have any other suggestions?
Len,
The Global file itself has nothing to do with the compare utility
running or not. What it does tell me however is that the customized view
you are using for the compare is causing problems - that's why the view
in the generic Global works. Take a look at which fields you are
displaying as columns in your custom view. My guess is that you either
have a field repeated (more than one column), or you may be using one of
the fields the utility uses for presenting its "findings" in the compare
file it creates.
As far as the file size, that also should have no bearing on whether the
utility runs or not. However to troubleshoot, I would either have to
look at the files, (and I'm willing to do that), or you can use the
progressive deletion method to isolate where it fails and go from there.
John
Project MVP
:




Bob,
I don't know if installing SP3 has any adverse impact on the compare
utility. I didn't install SP3 since none of the "fixes" were relevant
and one of them was not desirable, at least for my needs. If possible
can you try the compare on a co-worker's PC that doesn't have SP3
installed?

John
Project MVP

I've asked another co-worker and he had the same sort of issue. This
person had the bland, default global.mpt.

I have a lot of customizations in my global.mpt file (vba, toolbar and
custom fields). Do you think that is having an impact?

 

[John]

I've asked another co-worker and he had the same sort of issue. This
person had the bland, default global.mpt.

I have a lot of customizations in my global.mpt file (vba, toolbar and
custom fields). Do you think that is having an impact?

Bob,
You told us you installed SP3. You told us you have a customized Global.
You told us it fails for your co-worker with the default Global, but was
that with SP3 or not? Right now there are to many variables to identify
if there is a Global issue, an issue with SP3, or neither (those may
both be red herrings).

If you can sort out the variables, maybe we can get a track on some
likely culprits.

John
Project MVP

 

[Len]

Hi John,
I think the Global problem is a custom field - Text30. I chose that to stay
away from everyone's pet text fields.
I will try to get a definitive test on that one done in the next couple of
days before I go on vacation.

I was able to cut up the plan and compare it in chunks. The only part that
I cannot seem to make work is a 22 task (original) to 29 task (new version)
piece. The changes were the usual kinds of things - updated completions,
rearranged task order, and a fair amount of new plan structure. When the new
version of the plan arrives this week, I will compare to see if the compare
works. Presumably it will, as the structure will then be the same. I will
let you know how it goes.

Policy prevents me from sending you the real plan, so I will try to generate
a test plan that reliably fails so that I can send it to you.

Thanks for everything,
Len

 

[John]

Hi John,
I think the Global problem is a custom field - Text30. I chose that to stay
away from everyone's pet text fields.
I will try to get a definitive test on that one done in the next couple of
days before I go on vacation.

I was able to cut up the plan and compare it in chunks. The only part that
I cannot seem to make work is a 22 task (original) to 29 task (new version)
piece. The changes were the usual kinds of things - updated completions,
rearranged task order, and a fair amount of new plan structure. When the new
version of the plan arrives this week, I will compare to see if the compare
works. Presumably it will, as the structure will then be the same. I will
let you know how it goes.

Policy prevents me from sending you the real plan, so I will try to generate
a test plan that reliably fails so that I can send it to you.

Thanks for everything,
Len

Len,
You're welcome and thanks for the feedback. I look forward to hearing
what you find out.

John
Project MVP

 

[Len]

Hi John, I was able to re-create the problem in a simple plan (10 version 1
tasks, 19 version 2 tasks). If you can give me a place to send it, I will
e-mail versions 1 and 2 to you and you can see what happened. I suspect that
the program runs out of stack space or table space when it gets a lot of new
indentation that it did not have on the prior version. The Unique IDs will
show you the order in which I made the changes.

 

[John]

Hi John, I was able to re-create the problem in a simple plan (10 version 1
tasks, 19 version 2 tasks). If you can give me a place to send it, I will
e-mail versions 1 and 2 to you and you can see what happened. I suspect that
the program runs out of stack space or table space when it gets a lot of new
indentation that it did not have on the prior version. The Unique IDs will
show you the order in which I made the changes.

Len,
OK, I'll give it a go. My address is below. Please include the following
information:
1. What version of Project are you using?
2. What is the latest update you have installed with that version?
3. What compare options (e.g. "show all items", "show data and
differences", etc.) did you use?
4. What happened when you attempted the compare (e.g. didn't run at all,
ran part way but then popped up an error message, etc.)?
5. If it only fails when you use your custom global, please send your
global.mpt also.
6. Any other information that you feel may be relevant.

By the way, when I help someone directly I also ask the following
questions (for my reference only - I like to know who I'm helping)
a. What company do you work for?
b. What is their main product or service?
c. What do you do at the company?
d. Where are you located?

For your reference, I do NOT share any information you provide to me
with anyone. I value my privacy and I respect yours.

John
Project MVP
jensenj6atatcomcastdotdotnet
(remove obvious redundancies)

 

[Bob]

Found my problem using the compare project version.
On the Tools:Options:Security Tab, I selected the option "Allow
loading files with legacy or non default file formats"

Workes just fine now...

Thanks for your help.

 

[John]

Found my problem using the compare project version.
On the Tools:Options:Security Tab, I selected the option "Allow
loading files with legacy or non default file formats"

Workes just fine now...

Thanks for your help.

Bob,
This issue apparently is unique to Project 2007 because it uses a
different file format than previous versions. Why this affects the
compare utility I have no idea. Nonetheless, I didn't know about this
little tidbit so thanks for your feedback. Knowing this little tidbit of
info will help us respond to other similar issues from users.

You get an A+ from me (for whatever that's worth)

John
Project MVP

 

[Bob]

Bob,
This issue apparently is unique to Project 2007 because it uses a
different file format than previous versions. Why this affects the
compare utility I have no idea. Nonetheless, I didn't know about this
little tidbit so thanks for your feedback. Knowing this little tidbit of
info will help us respond to other similar issues from users.

You get an A+ from me (for whatever that's worth)

John
Project MVP

Hi John,

Appreciate the A. Where were you when I was at University
I'm using Project 2003 with SP3.
I have the Project Report Presentation add-in installed along with the
Compatibility Pack for the Office 2007 Office System.
Otherwise, all Office 2003 with latest patches...

I had initially thought that the SP3 for project was the culprit, but
based on your latest note, it may be the Compatibility pack.

Either way, nothing is ever as easy as it should be. Something to
remember as we plan and execute projects...

Best of the season!

Bob

 

[John]

Hi John,

Appreciate the A. Where were you when I was at University
I'm using Project 2003 with SP3.
I have the Project Report Presentation add-in installed along with the
Compatibility Pack for the Office 2007 Office System.
Otherwise, all Office 2003 with latest patches...

I had initially thought that the SP3 for project was the culprit, but
based on your latest note, it may be the Compatibility pack.

Either way, nothing is ever as easy as it should be. Something to
remember as we plan and execute projects...

Best of the season!

Bob

Bob,
More information I didn't know. I'm not familiar with the add-in you
reference and I don't have Office 2007 installed so I'm not clear on
what that might do to impact how the compare utility operates. It's
almost like we've got to many Project "cooks in the kitchen".

John
Project MVP