Guide to Fix Microsoft Project File Gets Corrupted

Learn how to fix the Microsoft Project file gets corrupted and recover deleted MS office files via the corresponding methods on this page. Besides, you can get related data loss prevention tips.

Penny

By Penny / Updated on September 13, 2024

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Why won’t my Microsoft Project open?

As the name reveals, Microsoft Project is a part of the Microsoft Office family. However, this software product has never been included in any of the Office suites. And the Microsoft Project’s proprietary file format is .mpp.

microsoft-project

Microsoft Project is a project management software program that aims to help a project manager to create schedules, assign resources to tasks, manage the budget, and analyze workloads. 

Possible reasons behind corrupted MPP files

Several possible causes are responsible for corrupted MPP files. Please get an overview of them below. 

  • Power Failure: An unexpected shutdown or power failure of the MS Project programs can cause MS project files corruption.

  • Working over network: Files saved on the network might be destroyed if you intend to edit MS Project files over the network.

  • Third-party add-ons: Third-party add-ons in your MS Project applications sometimes could damage your MS Project files.

  • Unstable network connection/Wi-Fi: A good network connection can encourage your MS project files to save.

  • File Size: Too large or too much data can lead to file corruption.

How to fix the Microsoft Project file gets corrupted?

Your MS Project files will likely be corrupted if your MS Project file won’t open. At the moment, some of you are eager to raise questions:

   
   
   
       

My Microsoft Project file gets corrupted, so can I repair MPP files? Any suggestions will be appreciated.

Like MS Office, Microsoft also released practical built-in features to protect users’ files. In a summary, if you can recover corrupted Excel files with the Open and Repair feature, it’s also possible for you to repair damaged MS Project files.

Fix 1 Insert as a subproject file in a blank file to open the MS project files
Fix 2 Save the corrupted MS project files into XML format and convert them to MPP files

Fix 1. Insert as a subproject file in a blank file to open the MS project files

How to fix the Microsoft Project file gets corrupted? Please refer to the following steps.

Step 1. Please open a new MS Project file and select its first row.

Step 2. Click Project > Subproject.

Step 3. After opening a file dialog, locate the corrupted MPP file you want to insert into the blank MS Project file.

ms-project-file-subproject-insert-read-only

Step 4. Under the File Name tab, uncheck the “Link to Project” button.

Step 5. Click the Insert drop menu and select the “Read-only” option.

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

ms-project-file-task

After that, you can delete the extra first row and rename this edited file.

Fix 2. Save the corrupted MS project files into XML format and convert them to MPP files

If your Microsoft Project file gets corrupted, saving the damaged file to the XML format is another option. Let’s show how it works.

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

Step 2. Select your corrupted file. After that, click File > Save as.

Step 3. Select “XML format” to “Save” this file.

save-corrupted-ms-project-file-as-xml-format

Step 4. Close your Microsoft Project and reopen it. Then go to File > Open.

Step 5. Open the Projects dropdown menu in the lower-left corner of the dialog box. Then select XML format > Open.

save-ms-ms-project-file-as-xml-open

Then you can save this file as a Project (.MPP) file.

Bonus tips: How to recover deleted MS Office files with ease?

Microsoft Office files are essential to our careers and lives. Generally speaking, deleted files include accidentally & recently deleted files and permanently deleted files.

After accidental/first deletion, you can recover files recently deleted from Recycle Bin.

empty-recycle-bin

However, after emptying the Recycle Bin, you’ll have no choice but to restore files from backups or utilize professional data recovery software for permanently deleted files.

Recover deleted MS Office files in Windows 10/11 using document recovery software

Although backups are the best hedge against data loss, they’re also the most overlooked data loss prevention measure.

Supposed that there’s no accessible backup for the restoration process, there’s no better way than using document recovery like MyRecover to recover deleted MS Office files.

Please avoid overwritten performances on your Windows computer because any newly added files could overwrite your permanently deleted MS Office files.   

MyRecover
Powerful Data Recovery Software
  • Recover the deleted/lost Word documents, Excel, PPT, PDF, Photos, Videos, Audio, folders, compressed files, and 200+ types of data from HDD, USB, SD card, etc.
  • Retain the original format for the deleted/lost data.
  • During scanning, you can search your needed photos by tying their filenames in the search bar or wait to find all the deleted and other lost files on your computers after Quick Scan and Deep Scan.
  • Support NTFS, exFAT, FAT32, and ReFS file systems.
  • Provide a clear graphical user interface and simple operating steps.

Let’s take MS Excel as an example. Please download MyRecover on your Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, or Windows Server computers to get your deleted Excel files back!

Step 1. Launch MyRecover on your PC. Hover the mouse over the drive saved deleted Excel files before, and click Scan.

select-location-to-scan

Step 2. Search your desired Excel files or wait to see all the deleted and other missing files after performing Quick Scan and Deep Scan.

At this step, you can use the Search box or filter feature to locate your deleted Microsoft files quickly.

🌟Here are some filters you can use to locate files faster:
  • Type: include all file types, such as images, videos, documents, mails, webpage, compressed files, etc.
  • Data Modified: support today, yesterday, last 7 days, last 30 days, and custom.
  • Size: filter file size from less than 128KB to 128KB ~1MB to 1MB ~ 512MB and above, or custom.

scanning-drive

Step 3. Go to the Deleted Files/Other Missing Files folder, and choose your desired Excel files. Please click “Recover x files” and save them in a new location.

select-deleted-excel-files-click-recover

🌟Tip:

MyRecover supports you to recover files for free up to 500MB in total. If you need more, you can consider upgrading MyRecover to an advanced edition.

Data loss prevention tips 

The above content has elaborated on how to easily fix the issue of your Microsoft Project file gets corrupted and recover deleted MS Office files.

Moreover, you’re advised to put the following data loss prevention tips into action.

  • Both for MS Project & MS Office files, don’t interrupt/cancel when you’re copying the file.
  • Limit the use of master/sub-project structure.
  • Limit using a shared resource pool between several MS Project files.
  • Please think twice before deletion.

permanently-delete-jpg-file

  • Open your MS Office files, then click File > Options > Advanced > Save > Always create a backup copy > OK.
  • Activate the AutoSave and AutoRecover features.
  • Embrace this free backup software for Windows to make regular file, partition, disk, or system backups.

ab-click-file-backup

Final words

If you meet the Microsoft Project file gets corrupted issue, read this article and you can get 2 useful solutions. In addition, a powerful file recovery software is also introduced to you. If your Microsoft files are deleted or lost by accident, you can try to use MyRecover to help you get them back.

Download Software Windows 11/10/8/7/Server
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Penny
Penny · Editor
Penny works as an editor at AOMEI Technology, while she's a tester and editor for AOMEI Data Recovery Tools. She enjoys helping users with data recovery issues on Windows and iPhones using simple and practical solutions. Outside of work, she has a strong affection for pets, particularly giant pandas.