Microsoft Project 2016 MSO

Question

Is there a way to protect a project plan so that team members can view it but they cannot edit it?

Cindy

Answer 1

Cindy,

No, not really. You can write protect the file under File > Save As and then select the Tools > General Options next to the Save button. However if a user wanted to they could open the file as read only, edit it, save under a new name and then replace the original with their edited version. Would this be deliberate covert action? Yes, but it demonstrates that Project files are not really write protected.

In my opinion a better approach is training and routine auditing to insure no unauthorized changes are made.

Hope this helps.

John

Answer 2

Cindy --

The easy answer if you are using Microsoft Project 2016 desktop is NOT to give your team members copies of Microsoft Project.  If you are using Project Online with Microsoft Project 2016, members of the Team Members group are allowed to view a project in Project Web App, but they are NOT allowed to edit the project.  Does that help?  Let us know and we will try to assist you.