Linked Workbooks

[Steph]

I have a huge project with many different areas that each have their own
Microsoft project file to manager their particular area. I have inserted a
text link into a master project to each workbook so that when they update
their files the master file will update. What I have found though is that
when I open the master file first it shows that it is "opening" the other
files to update the links and then in return other people can't get into
their files b/c it says that I have it open. But when I look on my computer,
it shows that I have my master file open but no others. What is the best way
to do what I'm trying to do? Which is basicly have one master workbnok that
is linked to all the other workbooks but does not interfear with them using
their workbooks. Maybe I am completely on the wrong track, but I'm a little
lost.

Thank you for your help,
Stephanie

 

[John]

I have a huge project with many different areas that each have their own
Microsoft project file to manager their particular area. I have inserted a
text link into a master project to each workbook so that when they update
their files the master file will update. What I have found though is that
when I open the master file first it shows that it is "opening" the other
files to update the links and then in return other people can't get into
their files b/c it says that I have it open. But when I look on my computer,
it shows that I have my master file open but no others. What is the best way
to do what I'm trying to do? Which is basicly have one master workbnok that
is linked to all the other workbooks but does not interfear with them using
their workbooks. Maybe I am completely on the wrong track, but I'm a little
lost.

Thank you for your help,
Stephanie

Stephanie,
You mentioned using a text link. That tells me you have set up Paste
LInks for the master. Paste Links can work but they are fragile and
prone to corruption. A much better approach would be to create a master
file with inserted subprojects. To do that, open a blank file (for the
master) and then go to Insert/Project. The result will give you a
dynamically linked master and is much less prone to corruption.

When the master is opened you should get an alert message asking if you
want to open subprojects as read only. Doing so will allow you to have
the master open and others to still work on their files. However, two
users cannot have the same file open, either directly or in the
background, with write access. That makes intuitive sense because if
both users have write access, whose edits take priority?

Hope this helps.
John
Project MVP

 

[Steph]

This seems to make sense. I'm going to give this a shot. Thank you so much

 

[John]

This seems to make sense. I'm going to give this a shot. Thank you so much

Stephanie,
You're welcome.

John