Unable to create subtask- getting circular relationship error

Question

Working on a project in MS Project 2013. I inserted a new task into line 22, under an existing task. I tried to use the green arrow for "indent task" and it gives me a pop up error saying I can't do this as "the outline change would create a circular relationship. Indenting these tasks would create an illogical relationship with other tasks. Check the task dependencies for the tasks from which you are indenting, and then try again". 

So the task in line 21 (the task I'm trying to put some other subtasks under) is already a subtask of something else in line 13, which is a subtask of something else in line 11. Is there a limit to the number of times you can have a subtask of a subtask of a subtask, etc? The line item 21 has 0% completion and a predecessor of line 14, but that predecessor is 100% complete, and that line item has a predecessor that is also 100% complete, so I'm not sure where the circular relationship is coming from.

Answer 1

The only limit I am familiar with is 65535 levels of outline - you're not even close.

The first thing I would do is remove links from summary tasks - those are usually the cause of circular relationships.

See: http://social.technet.microsoft.com/wiki/contents/articles/29569.project-linking-andor-assigning-resources-to-summary-tasks.aspx?wa=wsignin1.0

Answer 2

JM_555,

I believe Julie is off doing other things so let me see if I can help.

If you have removed all links (i.e. predecessors/successors) in your file and it still gives you the circular relationship error, then yes, I'd say your file is corrupt.

Is this a single file, or is it part of a linked structure (e.g. master/subproject or resource pool/sharer)? That makes a big difference.

You mentioned in your first post that removing links form all summary lines would "ruin the whole plan". Unless you are a very experienced Project user and/or are creating a very top level plan, links on summary lines are bad practice. You might want to read this Wiki article:

https://social.technet.microsoft.com/wiki/contents/articles/29569.ms-project-linking-andor-assigning-resources-to-summary-tasks.aspx

If you do have a single file (i.e. not part of a linked structure) and the file is corrupt, try saving as XML. Then re-open the XML file in Project. That normally clears corruption, but not always. Note, you will lose any custom formatting with this process.

Hope this helps.

John

Answer 3

1. The task I am indenting and the above task have no predecessors nor successors. The above task is tiself a subtask, but it already DOES exist inthe structure, without any circular relationship, so making it a summary task should not make a problem.
2. You suggest removing links from summary tasks - do you mean from ALL summary tasks ? That would ruin the whole project planning

Answer 4

Hi Bob E,

Does this only occur in one specific file or all files?  Are you adding the tasks by typing?  Copy/paste?  Do you have links on summary tasks elsewhere in the project?

Answer 5

Hi

I have a 2013 project file where I add a group of 5 new tasks.  Without making a single modification to the new tasks, when I attempt to indent the lower 4 tasks underneath the 1st task, I receive this same error ("...circular relationship..").  These are brand new tasks and nothing has been linked to any of them prior to attempting the indent.  Please advise.

Thanks

Bob