How to Repair Microsoft Project File Gets Corrupted?

Why my Microsoft Project file gets corrupted?

"I work with MS Project which works normally very well. Recently tasks started to disappear (meaning the task line is empty). On top the file doesn't close properly. I click the x-button. The system asks me if I want to safe before closing which I agree with, but it won't close. It remains open. I need to reply that I don't want to safe in order to close the file. What can I do? Thank you in advance."

If you have encountered a similar problem, unfortunately, it means your Microsoft Project file gets corrupted. Since MS Project is project management software that's used to create schedules, project plans, and manage resources, it would be a disaster if the MS Project file won't open.

Generally, the reasons for a corrupted MS Project file can be summarized as the following aspects:

◤ Unstable network connection/WiFi.
◤ A power failure or system crash.
◤ Mismatched versions.
◤ Updating errors.

If your MS Project file is damaged for any of the above causes, don't worry, you can refer to the following content to get the fixes.

How to fix the Microsoft Project file gets corrupted?

With Windows, there are two available ways for you to eliminate the problem of MS Project file won't open. The detailed steps of the two methods are both provided below.

Method 1. Save the corrupted MS Project file as an XML file

Microsoft Project file is formatted with MPP. If you can't open or close an MS file, you can save it as XML format first and then convert it into MPP format. Let's see how it works.

Step 1. Open a blank Project file and disable automatic calculation.

Step 2. Select your corrupted MS file and click "File" > "Save as".

Step 3. Then, save the selected file as XML format.

Step 4. After that, close Microsoft Project program and open it again. Go to "File" > "Open".

Step 5. On the lower corner of the dialog box, open the drop-down menu, and select "XML format" > "Open".

Step 6. Then, save the file as a Project (.MPP)file

Method 2. Insert the corrupted MS Project file as a sub-project file in a blank file

If you are unable to access the corrupted MS Project file, you can open a new Project file and insert the problematic file as a sub-project file. Here are the steps.

Step 1. Open a new MS Project file and select the first row. Click "Project" > "Subproject".

Step 2. In the pop-out file dialog, find and choose the corrupted MPP file you would like to insert into the blank file.

Step 3. Uncheck the "Link to Project" under the "File Name" tab.

Step 4. Expand the "Insert" section and select "Insert Read-Only".

Step 5. Now, expand the schedule to check if all the tasks are imported

Step 6. Expand the schedule to check whether all the tasks have been imported.

Step 7. Then, delete the extra first row and save the "new" file with a unique name. After that, go to see if the Microsoft Project file gets corrupted problem is solved.

Bonus reading: How to do an MS Project file recovery?

If you accidentally delete your MS Project file or the file gets lost during the repair process, you must want to get it back. You can check the Recycle Bin to try restoring it. However, if your Recycle Bin has been emptied automatically, you’ll have no choice but to recover the deleted Microsoft Project files from the backup or via professional document recovery software.

Since not all of users have the habit of backing up, the most efficient way is to switch to a data recovery tool like AOMEI FastRecovery. Its attractive features make this software welcomed and favored by millions of users.

◆ It is compatible with almost all editions of Windows 11/10/8/7 and Windows Server.
◆ It supports recovering deleted or lost files of different formats and 200+ types, including Word, Excel, PPT, Photos, etc.
◆ It can recover data on various storage devices like HDD, SSD, USB flash drive, SD card, etc.
◆ If offers intelligent recovery features: select the target drive to scan and select the store path for the recovered MS Project files.

Now, download the demo version of AOMEI software and see how to use it to make an MS Project file recovery:

Step 1. Install and launch AOMEI FastRecovery. Choose the exact partition or disk where your data lost and click Scan.

Step 2. Then, the recovery tool start to scan and search. lt will execute the “Quickly Scan" first for finding your deleted data fast, and then execute the “Deep Scan" for searching other lost data.

Step 3. Once the scan is completed, all deleted files, recycle bins and other missing files will be displayed. Please select the file you would like to recover and then click "Recover".

Step 4. Then, select a folder path to save your recovered files.

Step 5. Wait patiently for this process of recovering ends.

Conclusion

Microsoft Project file gets corrupted if the MS project file won't open. Various reasons give rise to this issue. If you have this kind of problem, you can refer to this guide to get two practical ways. In addition, this post has provided a data recovery tool to help you find the accidentally deleted or lost Microsoft Project file back.