How to Find and Resolve Broken Links in Microsoft Project

Microsoft Project is a powerful project management tool that enables you to plan, track, and manage projects of any size. However, like any software, it may develop some issues, one of which is broken links. A broken link is a hyperlink that leads to an invalid or non-existent web page or file. Broken links can make your project difficult to navigate and may even cause errors. In this article, we will look at how to find and resolve broken links in Microsoft Project.

Understanding Broken Links in Microsoft Project

Broken links occur when you move or rename a project file or folder, or when you delete a linked file or folder. When you create a hyperlink in Microsoft Project, it creates a path to the linked file or folder. If the path is changed or the file/folder is deleted, the hyperlink becomes broken.

Broken links can cause errors in your project plan and may prevent you from accessing critical information. To ensure that your project runs smoothly, it’s essential to identify and fix broken links as soon as possible.

How to Find Broken Links in Microsoft Project

To locate broken links in Microsoft Project, follow these steps:

1. Open the project plan that contains the potential broken links.
2. Click on the “File” tab and select “Info.”
3. Click on the “Edit Links to Files” button.
4. The “Edit Links” dialog box will appear. It will show any linked files and their current status. Broken links will be marked with an exclamation point icon.

Once you have identified the broken links, you need to resolve them to prevent any errors in your project plan.

Resolving Broken Links in Microsoft Project

There are several ways to fix broken links in Microsoft Project:

Method 1: Update the File Path

If you have moved the linked file to a new location, you can update the file path to resolve the broken link. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Click on the “Edit Links to Files” button in the “Info” screen.
2. The “Edit Links” dialog box will appear. Select the broken link that you want to fix.
3. Click on the “Change Source” button and browse to the new location of the file.
4. Click “OK” to save the changes.

Method 2: Restore the Linked File

If you have accidentally deleted the linked file, restoring it will fix the broken link. Ensure the filename and location are identical to the original file. If the file was renamed or moved, use Method 1 to update the file path.

Method 3: Remove the Broken Link

If the linked file is no longer required or cannot be restored, you can remove the broken link. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Click on the “Edit Links to Files” button in the “Info” screen.
2. The “Edit Links” dialog box will appear. Select the broken link that you want to remove.
3. Click on the “Break Link” button.
4. Click “OK” to save the changes.

Preventing Broken Links in Microsoft Project

Preventing broken links in your project plan requires careful planning and management. Here are some tips to help you avoid broken links:

• Keep all linked files and folders in the same location as when they were linked.
• Avoid renaming linked files or folders.
• Avoid deleting linked files or folders, but if necessary, use the “Break Link” option to remove the link first.
• Use relative paths instead of absolute paths when linking files or folders. Relative paths are less likely to break if the file or folder is moved.

By following these tips, you can minimize the risk of broken links in your Microsoft Project plan.

Conclusion

Broken links can cause errors and make it difficult to navigate through your project plan in Microsoft Project. However, finding and fixing broken links is a straightforward process that can be done quickly with the built-in features of the software. By taking preventive measures, such as careful planning and management, you can minimize the risk of broken links occurring in the first place.

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