Saving Column widths in MS Project

[Kevin F.]

Is there a method to save column widths in MS Project 2003? I've changed the
column width of several columns, saved the file and then upon opening the
file, the columns revert back to the default widths.

Thanks for the help.

 

[John]

Is there a method to save column widths in MS Project 2003? I've changed the
column width of several columns, saved the file and then upon opening the
file, the columns revert back to the default widths.

Thanks for the help.

Kevin,
Each view in Project is independent. If you change the column widths in
say the Gantt Chart view, they will not be changed in the Task Sheet
view. When you customize a particular view (e.g. change column widths),
those changes are saved with the file.

John
Project MVP

 

[Jan De Messemaeker]

Hi,

You must be a Server user: if the view you are looking at is booked as an
Enterprise view you cannot modify it.
Go to View Menu, Table:... , More Tables, Copy, make you own table
Then View menu, More Views, COpy... makin the view your own view, linking it
to the table you just created.
This wiew will reappear as saved.
HTH

 

[Kevin F.]

The view i'm working with is the Tracking Gantt view. I will change the
column width, save the file, but when i re-open, the columns for the tracking
gantt view revert back to default widths. Saving the file doesn't seem to
keep column widths.

Thoughts?
Kevin

 

[Kevin F.]

Thanks for the feedback Jan. I continue to have the same problem however. I
copied the table view and renamed to my own view, then edited the column
width. I then copied the view and linked the table i just created. I then
saved the file, upon opening the file, the column widths are back to their
default widths.

 

[John]

The view i'm working with is the Tracking Gantt view. I will change the
column width, save the file, but when i re-open, the columns for the tracking
gantt view revert back to default widths. Saving the file doesn't seem to
keep column widths.

Thoughts?
Kevin

Kevin,
I forgot to ask the question that Jan eluded to. Are you using Project
2003 in a Project Server environment? If so, I suggest you post to our
sister newsgroup, microsoft.public.project.server. This newsgroup is
dedicated to the standalone installation of Project.

If you are NOT using Project Server, go to Tools/Organizer/Views tab. In
the list box on the right hand side, are the views you have customized
listed? If they are, then I suspect possible corruption in Project and I
suggest you run Detect and Repair from the Help menu. If your customized
views are not shown on the right side, then for some reason, the views
are not being set.

A couple other questions. How are you changing the column widths? How do
you save the file (try Save As under a different name)? How are you
re-opening the file?

John
Project MVP

 

[Jan De Messemaeker]

Hi,

There unfortunately is no such thing as a table view.
I suspect you have renamed the view but not the table.
Re-read my instructions and try to ally without interpreting.
HTH

 

[Kevin F.]

Thanks for the help John and Jan. i've tried both of your suggestions and
continue to experience the same issue, so i tried something different. I
created a new project file, adjusted column widths, then saved this new file.
Upon opening, the columns stayed as revised. I then changed the column
widths again and saved. When the file was opened again, the column widths
displayed as my latest revisions. Long story short, seems new files work
just fine. Something is set in my original file that is not allowing the new
column widths to remain as changed.

 

[Kevin F.]

Jan and John,
I found out what the problem was, or at least how to set up the file to keep
my column widths as it. I had the Project Guide (toolbar option) set to
"Tracking". When i change this to "Tasks" and then adjust column width and
save, they remain as changed after saving and opening again. I'm not sure
what the Project Guide toolbar option is for, but thats for another day.

Thanks for your help.
Kevin

 

[John]

Jan and John,
I found out what the problem was, or at least how to set up the file to keep
my column widths as it. I had the Project Guide (toolbar option) set to
"Tracking". When i change this to "Tasks" and then adjust column width and
save, they remain as changed after saving and opening again. I'm not sure
what the Project Guide toolbar option is for, but thats for another day.

Thanks for your help.
Kevin

Kevin,
First you're welcome. Ah, the old Project Guide thingie. I never use it
so I had forgotten that it can indeed "lock" your view. Nonetheless, I'm
glad you were able to figure it out. I probably would never have thought
about the guide, maybe Jan would have.

John
Project MVP