FAQ

Web/cloud-based solution for viewing
MS Project MPP files.

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Version and Compatibility

How do I install the online viewer?

There is nothing to install. You simply need a web browser and internet access.

What browser do I need?

The Housatonic Project Viewer Online works with most recent browser releases Including Internet Explore 7+; Firefox; Chrome or Safari.

Does Housatonic Project Viewer online open Microsoft Project 2010 files?

Yes, Housatonic Housatonic Project Viewers 2010 open projects saved in Microsoft Project 2010 (as well 98, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2007!).

What versions of Microsoft© Project are supported by Housatonic Project Viewer Online?

The following versions of Microsoft Project files are supported Microsoft Project 2010, Microsoft Project 2007 and Microsoft Project 2003 (as well as 98, 2000, 2002).

Functionality

How do I open an MPP Project file?

If your MPP file is on your local PC or network, you navigate to the Housatonic Project Viewer via the link on the Project Viewer Central website or via a bookmark in your browser. Click File from the viewer menu. Then click "Open" to browse for the file on your local system.

If your MPP file is stored on a website or other internet location, click "Open from URL." In the popup box, type or paste the URL of the MPP file. More information about opening and sharing an MPP via your webiste.

If your file is stored on Google Docs, click "Open from Google Docs". More information about opening using the Housatonic Project Viewer with Google Docs.

Can the user modify my MS Project File with Housatonic Project Viewer for PC?

No, Housatonic Project Viewers do not have write capabilities, only view.

I have used MS Project before. How much re-learning is involved with Housatonic Project Viewer for PC?

Housatonic Project Viewers look and "feel" like MS Project. You'll barely notice the difference. With the remarkably intuitive interface, for most users, no training is necessary.

Filtering

Does Housatonic Project Viewer Online have an AutoFilter option?

Yes, AutoFilter is as easy to use as in MS Project. Just activate AutoFilter from the Project/Filter menu or with the toolbar button.

How can I filter through AutoFilter?

Option A: If the project was saved without AutoFilter activated, you may activate it either by the Project/Filter menu or by the AutoFilter toolbar button. Then click on the arrow for a desired column header to select the filter to apply to that column. You can also filter on multiple columns through the AutoFilter option.

Option B: If the project was saved without AutoFilter activated, you may activate it either by the Project/Filter menu or by the AutoFilter toolbar button. Then click the AutoFilter arrow next to each field heading for the field that contains information you want to display, and then click a value to filter the table. You can also filter on multiple columns through AutoFilter option.

How can I view the tasks allocated to a particular resource in Gantt Chart?

Click the Filter button (or select Filter from Project / Filter menu), chose Using resource. From available filters, click "Apply", type or select the resource name in the combo box and then click ok. Gantt Chart View will display only the tasks allocated to the selected resource.

Is there any way to save Filter and Sort states when exit the startup cycle?

No. Filter and Sort states are reset every time a new file is opened.

Reports

Can Housatonic Project Viewer Online display and update the external tasks?

Yes, the external tasks are displayed in specific colors and can be updated from linked projects through Tools/Link Between Projects form.

Does Housatonic Project Viewer Online generate MS Project reports?

Yes. In order to view the reports click in the main menu View -> Reports. Reports are split into 5 categories: Overview, Current Activities, Costs, Assignments and Custom Reports.

Does Housatonic Project Viewer Online have "drill down" capabilities?

Yes. You double-click on the task to display detailed task information.

Display/Layout

Can I view in split screen?

Yes, Housatonic Project Viewer Online has a Split option under Window menu which allows you to review project information in two different ways simultaneously.

Can I insert and view other columns like WBS, cost, duration, etc.?

Yes. You can insert/hide any of the standard MS project columns

Can I change the format of the labels for the timescale in Gantt Chart?

Yes, you can modify the labels for timescale in Gantt Chart and any other view by double clicking on the timescale or selecting Format / Timescale from the Main Menu and then selecting a different value in the Label combobox.

Opening Projects and Subprojects

Can Housatonic Project Viewer Online read password protected files?

When loading a password protected file, you'll be prompted to enter the password. The file will only open when the correct password has been entered.

Can Housatonic Project Viewer Online open master MS Projects with multiple subprojects files?

Yes.

My mpp file contains subprojects. Do I need to select them?

Housatonic Project Viewer automatically searches for subprojects files in the main project file path and its subfolders. Only if any of the subprojects are not found, will you be prompted to select them. This will happen when you try to expand the task containing the subproject.

Can Housatonic Project Viewer Online display the customized views I have created with Microsoft Project?

Yes, Housatonic Project Viewer will display the customized views created, modified and saved in Microsoft Project including tables, bar & text styles, timescale settings, applied filter and sort, etc.; except for the combination type views.

Does Housatonic Project Viewer Online open MPP Files from Microsoft Project Server?

Yes, Housatonic Project Viewer is able to open any project saved in Microsoft Project Server. However, the users will have to authenticate themselves before accessing the projects list. The authentication is done the same as they do in Microsoft Project by selecting either NT Authentication or Project Server Authentication methods.

I cannot connect to Microsoft Project Server to see the list of projects. What should I do

First of all, please check the collaboration options: make sure the Project Server URL is entered correctly and test the connection; then, make sure your identification for Project Server is correct. If you still cannot connect, contact your system administrator to make sure Microsoft Office Project Server is started.

Does Housatonic Project Viewer Online support loading MPP Files saved previously in Microsoft SQL Server or Oracle databases?

Yes, Housatonic Project Viewer is able to open any project saved through Open via ODBC option in File menu. This includes SQL Server, Oracle, Access, etc.

Multi Language Support

Does Housatonic Project Viewer for PC support European date formats (i.e. dd/mm/yyyy)?

Yes. Housatonic Project Viewer will automatically pick the date formats from your regional settings. Also you can change the date formats on the fly from the "Tools/Options" menu option (View tab).

My mpp files are in Chinese, German or French. Can I view them?

Yes. Housatonic Project Viewer for PC has multi-language display capabilities.

Printing

Can I print my MS Project mpp files directly from Windows Explorer without opening the viewer?

Yes. Just install Housatonic Project Viewer for PC, right click on your mpp file in Windows Explorer and select "Print" in the file Context Menu.

Can I print just parts of my project plan based on dates or task selections?

Yes. Housatonic Project Viewer Online provides an advanced printing capability that allows you to select date or task ranges for printing.

Can I fit my project plan to just one or two pages?

Yes. In order to do that, use the "fit to one or two pages" option in the advanced printing.

How can I print just the task list in Housatonic Project Viewer, not the entire Gantt?

You can access the task list by clicking More Views button and selecting Tasks Sheet view from the pop-up that appears. After the view is opened, you can access the print options to print the view.

Is there any way to print the notes associated to the tasks?

Yes. You can print the notes by checking Print Notes option in the Page Setup. The notes will be printed at the end of the document.

Can I resize the columns and print them with the width I have chosen?

Yes, you can resize the columns in the view; when printing the columns width will be maintained. You can confirm this by using print preview button.

How can I add a header or footer to my printed project?

Same way as in MS Project: Go to Page Setup/Header or Footer tab and you can choose the item to apply from a large variety of project information or simply write the text you want to appear.

Accessibility

Is Housatonic Project Viewer for PC 508 compliant?

Yes