Inserting a project

[Jpstewar]

I have a question about inserting a project. When I do that does it
permanently copy the data from the project in? Or does it link to the project
and expect to see the project on the same hard drive all the time? In other
words, must the inserted project always stay on the hard drive or can I erass
it? Thanks.

 

[Andrew Lavinsky]

Default behavior is to insert a link back to the file (which is denoted by an
icon to the left of the project). Doubleclick on the inserted project, and
go to the Advanced tab to break the link back to the file.

 

[John]

I have a question about inserting a project. When I do that does it
permanently copy the data from the project in? Or does it link to the project
and expect to see the project on the same hard drive all the time? In other
words, must the inserted project always stay on the hard drive or can I erass
it? Thanks.

Jpstewar,
I'm not sure either of the other respondents answered your questions
directly. Let me give you a little more detail.

With Project there are two types of consolidated (i.e. master) projects,
static and dynamic. The default type is dynamic, as Andrew described.
With a dynamic master, the master only contains a pointer to the
inserted subprojects, the data in each subproject is not actually part
of the master. The main advantage of a dynamic master is that changes
made in either the master or the subproject is reflected in the other.

With a static master, (created by unchecking the "link to project" box
in the lower right hand corner of the Insert Project window), the actual
data from each subproject is in effect copied into the master. The user
can then do whatever he/she wants to the original subproject, (e.g.
delete it), and it will have no effect on the master since the master is
an independent file.

With a dynamic master is is HIGHLY recommended that the master and its
subprojects reside in the same folder and not be moved around. Doing so
can very quickly mess up the linking structure and cause corruption.
That's not the case with a static master since it is just a single
independent file.

If there are links between tasks in subprojects, (i.e. external
predecessors/successors), they will remain intact and operational with a
dynamic master. That is not the case with a static master. All external
links between subprojects will be broken when a static master is
created, unless a special macro is used to preserve those links in the
newly created static master.

So the basic answer to all three questions is, it depends on the type of
master that is created.

Hope this helps.

John
Project MVP