open multiple projects simultaneously & change a resource globally

[Tina]

We've had some staff turnover and I'm tasked with changing the resource on 40
individual projects. Is there a way to open multiple projects simultaneously
with just one click of the mouse instead of having to open each project one
at a time? Also, I need to change the resource on these 40 projects from the
previous staff member to someone else. Again, can I do this globally or is
the only way by opening one project at a time?

Thanks in advance!!

 

[JulieS]

Hi Tina,

The File > Open dialog box in Project does not allow you to select more
than one file at a time. However, you can open multiple Project files
from Windows Explorer. Select the multiple files using CTRL+click or
SHIFT + click. Then click your secondary mouse button and choose Open
from the shortcut menu. I would not suggest trying to open all 40 at
one time unless you have a machine with a fairly large amount of memory.

Once you have opened the files, I'm afraid it is going to be a manual
process to update all 40 files with the new resource's name.

You may wish to think about using a Resource Pool file in the future if
you have the same resources shared to multiple project files. Have a
look at Mike Glen's excellent series of articles on MS Project at:
http://project.mvps.org/mike's_tutorials.htm

Mike's article #17 discusses resource pools.

I hope this helps. Let us know how you get along.

Julie
Project MVP

Visit http://project.mvps.org/ for the FAQs and additional information
about Microsoft Project

 

[Jan Hyde]

"JulieS" <passport6847 at maine dot rr dot com>'s wild
thoughts were released on Tue, 3 Oct 2006 15:24:50 -0400
bearing the following fruit:

Hi Tina,

The File > Open dialog box in Project does not allow you to select more
than one file at a time. However, you can open multiple Project files
from Windows Explorer. Select the multiple files using CTRL+click or
SHIFT + click. Then click your secondary mouse button and choose Open
from the shortcut menu.

I've only just started using Project, I use this method to
open all projects (since this seems to be the only way of
geting an overall picture of the projects - create new
window once they are all open)

Anyway, most projects have at least one task that is
dependent on a task in another project. When I open up
multiple projects, as it opens each one it tells me it can't
find file 'x' where 'x' is the project containing the task
it is dependent on.

Although I can hit the browse button and select the project
it can result in those links being broken, which is a real
pain.

I would not suggest trying to open all 40 at
one time unless you have a machine with a fairly large amount of memory.

Once you have opened the files, I'm afraid it is going to be a manual
process to update all 40 files with the new resource's name.

You may wish to think about using a Resource Pool file in the future if
you have the same resources shared to multiple project files. Have a
look at Mike Glen's excellent series of articles on MS Project at:
http://project.mvps.org/mike's_tutorials.htm

Mike's article #17 discusses resource pools.

I hope this helps. Let us know how you get along.

Julie
Project MVP

Visit http://project.mvps.org/ for the FAQs and additional information
about Microsoft Project

Jan Hyde (VB MVP)

 

[JulieS]

Hi Jan,

Welcome to the project ng. Nice to have a visiting dignitary from the
VB world!

Well, what you describe is odd behavior. What release and SP are you
using?

What happens if you open only one of the project files (file A) that has
an external predecessor or successor and try double clicking on the
external task? That should open the project file (File B) with the task
in question. The only way I can think to reproduce what you are
reporting is to move the file (File B) to another location. In quick
testing, File A opened file, but when I double clicked on the external
task, the "Links Between Projects" dialog box opened with a message of
"File cannot be found."

If I save the consolidate file and then move one of the subproject
files, the consolidate file opens but when I try to expand the moved
subproject file's tasks I get a "Cannot find inserted project" dialog
box.

Julie
Project MVP

Visit http://project.mvps.org/ for the FAQs and additional information
about Microsoft Project

 

[Jan Hyde]

"JulieS" <passport6847 at maine dot rr dot com>'s wild
thoughts were released on Mon, 9 Oct 2006 11:25:38 -0400
bearing the following fruit:

Hi Jan,

Welcome to the project ng. Nice to have a visiting dignitary from the
VB world!

LOL, well I'd hoped to use Project to manage our various VB
projects and developers so there is a faint link to VB ;-)

I a %100 newbie when it comes to Project.

Although if you have any suggested reading to help me along
I'd appreciate it.

Well, what you describe is odd behavior. What release and SP are you
using?

2003 SP2

What happens if you open only one of the project files (file A) that has
an external predecessor or successor and try double clicking on the
external task? That should open the project file (File B) with the task
in question. The only way I can think to reproduce what you are
reporting is to move the file (File B) to another location.

They are all new files and all saved to only one location (I
was very careful about that)

In quick
testing, File A opened file, but when I double clicked on the external
task, the "Links Between Projects" dialog box opened with a message of
"File cannot be found."

If I save the consolidate file and then move one of the subproject
files, the consolidate file opens but when I try to expand the moved
subproject file's tasks I get a "Cannot find inserted project" dialog
box.

It's no biggie at the moment, I only installed it yesterday
so I've a lot to get to grips with. I'm sure you'll be
hearing from me a lot more ;-)

Regards

Jan

Julie
Project MVP

Visit http://project.mvps.org/ for the FAQs and additional information
about Microsoft Project

I've only just started using Project, I use this method to
open all projects (since this seems to be the only way of
geting an overall picture of the projects - create new
window once they are all open)

Anyway, most projects have at least one task that is
dependent on a task in another project. When I open up
multiple projects, as it opens each one it tells me it can't
find file 'x' where 'x' is the project containing the task
it is dependent on.

Although I can hit the browse button and select the project
it can result in those links being broken, which is a real
pain.

Jan Hyde (VB MVP)

Jan Hyde (VB MVP)

 

[Jan Hyde]

Jan Hyde <[email protected]>'s wild thoughts
were released on Mon, 09 Oct 2006 17:10:29 +0100 bearing the
following fruit:

"JulieS" <passport6847 at maine dot rr dot com>'s wild
thoughts were released on Mon, 9 Oct 2006 11:25:38 -0400
bearing the following fruit:


LOL, well I'd hoped to use Project to manage our various VB
projects and developers so there is a faint link to VB ;-)

Oh, maybe I should have said, only I will be looking at or
updating any of the projects.

I a %100 newbie when it comes to Project.

Although if you have any suggested reading to help me along
I'd appreciate it.

Well, what you describe is odd behavior. What release and SP are you
using?

2003 SP2

What happens if you open only one of the project files (file A) that has
an external predecessor or successor and try double clicking on the
external task? That should open the project file (File B) with the task
in question. The only way I can think to reproduce what you are
reporting is to move the file (File B) to another location.

They are all new files and all saved to only one location (I
was very careful about that)

In quick
testing, File A opened file, but when I double clicked on the external
task, the "Links Between Projects" dialog box opened with a message of
"File cannot be found."

If I save the consolidate file and then move one of the subproject
files, the consolidate file opens but when I try to expand the moved
subproject file's tasks I get a "Cannot find inserted project" dialog
box.

It's no biggie at the moment, I only installed it yesterday
so I've a lot to get to grips with. I'm sure you'll be
hearing from me a lot more ;-)

Regards

Jan

Julie
Project MVP

Visit http://project.mvps.org/ for the FAQs and additional information
about Microsoft Project





Jan Hyde (VB MVP)

Jan Hyde (VB MVP)

 

[JulieS]

Hi Jan,

"JulieS" <passport6847 at maine dot rr dot com>'s wild
thoughts were released on Mon, 9 Oct 2006 11:25:38 -0400
bearing the following fruit:


LOL, well I'd hoped to use Project to manage our various VB
projects and developers so there is a faint link to VB ;-)

[Julie} Wow, I didn't think VB developers could be managed - only
temporarily tamed

I a %100 newbie when it comes to Project.

Although if you have any suggested reading to help me along
I'd appreciate it.

[Julie] Fellow MVP Mike Glen has a terrific series of on-line tutorials
about MS Project at:
http://project.mvps.org/mike's_tutorials.htm

Of course we'd welcome your questions here as well!

2003 SP2


They are all new files and all saved to only one location (I
was very careful about that)

[Julie] Are you using a resource pool file and connected sharer files?
This is even more odd if you haven't moved files about.

It's no biggie at the moment, I only installed it yesterday
so I've a lot to get to grips with. I'm sure you'll be
hearing from me a lot more ;-)

[Julie] We look forward to it!

Regards

Jan

 

[Jan Hyde]

"JulieS" <passport6847 at maine dot rr dot com>'s wild
thoughts were released on Mon, 9 Oct 2006 16:41:25 -0400
bearing the following fruit:

Hi Jan,

"JulieS" <passport6847 at maine dot rr dot com>'s wild
thoughts were released on Mon, 9 Oct 2006 11:25:38 -0400
bearing the following fruit:


LOL, well I'd hoped to use Project to manage our various VB
projects and developers so there is a faint link to VB ;-)

[Julie} Wow, I didn't think VB developers could be managed - only
temporarily tamed

Well taming the developers is one thing, but I'll be happy
if I can just track projects and produce some sort of
usefull report ;-)

I a %100 newbie when it comes to Project.

Although if you have any suggested reading to help me along
I'd appreciate it.

[Julie] Fellow MVP Mike Glen has a terrific series of on-line tutorials
about MS Project at:
http://project.mvps.org/mike's_tutorials.htm

Great, I'll definitely check that out.

Thanks for the help.

J

Of course we'd welcome your questions here as well!

2003 SP2


They are all new files and all saved to only one location (I
was very careful about that)

[Julie] Are you using a resource pool file and connected sharer files?
This is even more odd if you haven't moved files about.

It's no biggie at the moment, I only installed it yesterday
so I've a lot to get to grips with. I'm sure you'll be
hearing from me a lot more ;-)

[Julie] We look forward to it!

Regards

Jan



Jan Hyde (VB MVP)

Jan Hyde (VB MVP)