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Blank file displays when opening an existing MS Project file

Anonymous
2025-01-06T14:07:49+00:00

When trying to open an existing MS Project (version 2411), it just displays an empty file.

Some of any colleagues can open the file on their computers with the same hardware. We are all running Windows 11 24H2.

Have tried the following:

  • Copy file
  • Rename file
  • Move file
  • Save the file as project 2007
  • Save the file with one screen open - Delete all lines/tasks in the file
  • Open as read only

Nothing works. Same result.

I can open other MS projects files from colleagues.

There is another tread on October 16, 2012 with same issue. But with no solution.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Project | Other | Windows

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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Anonymous
2025-01-06T15:52:51+00:00

Hi Poul,

Thanks for posting in the community. We are happy to help you.

I understand the inconvenience you are experiencing. Per your description, the problem is with a specific file and is occurring on some user-sides, not all. In this case, I suggest you try the following suggestions and check again. If the problem persists, you can share the results with us, which will help us narrow down the problem.

  1. Check the View setting

Click the View tab, in the Window group, click on "Arrange All". See if you can see tasks.

  1. Insert as Subproject. See if you can see tasks.

Create a blank new project and then insert the project as subproject via the Project tab> Subproject.

  1. Repair Project

Go to Windows Settings> Apps> Installed apps> find the Project app, such as Microsoft Project en-us> select Modify> choose Online Repair. After repairing, please run Project and check again.

  1. If the problem persists after trying the above suggestions, for testing purposes, I suggest you switch to another Windows user profile (if you don’t have another Windows user profile, please try the steps in the "Switch user" section and sign into another account), then run Project and check again. This can help us to troubleshoot whether the issue is caused by the local environment in your original Windows user profile.

We look forward to your response. Thanks for your cooperation. 😊

Sincerely,

George | Microsoft Community Moderator

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  1. John Project 49,705 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2025-01-06T16:57:39+00:00

    Poul,

    Along with the excellent suggestions proposed by George you might also try these items:

    1. Save the file as XML and then re-open the XML file in Project.
    2. Assuming you are trying to view the Gantt Chart view, open the file select any view other than the Gantt Chart view. Go to, File > Info > Organize Global Template. By default the view tab will be active. On the right side, select the Gantt Chart view and hit "Cancel". Close out of the Organizer. Note: this will replace the file's Gantt Chart view with the default Gantt Chart view so any custom formatting will be lost.

    Now when you select the Gantt Chart view, do you see tasks?

    John

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