Editing Microsoft Project (section)

== History ==

[[File:Screengrab - Microsoft Project 9.0.2000.0224 - (simple Gantt chart) .png|thumb|Microsoft Project 2000]]
'Project' was an MS-DOS software application originally written in [[C (programming language)|C]] (and some [[Assembly language|assembly]]) language for the IBM PC.  The idea originated with Ron Bredehoeft, a former IBM S/E and PC enthusiast in the early 1980s, as a prank to express the recipe and all preparation for a breakfast of [[eggs Benedict]] in project management terms.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-08-12 |title=Project Management with Microsoft Tools – BairesDev |url=https://www.bairesdev.com/blog/project-management-with-microsoft-tools/ |access-date=2023-04-29 |website=BairesDev Blog: Insights on Software Development & Tech Talent |language=en-US}}</ref> Bredehoeft formed his own company, Microsoft Application Services (MAS) Consulting while creating Project, and the company later entered an [[OEM]] agreement with Microsoft Corporation.{{Citation needed|date=April 2023|reason=So, I think (presumably his son), Vic, worked at this company, but his LinkedIn is the only source that such a company existed in this context. A bit of SYNTH though....}} Alan M. Boyd, Microsoft's Manager of Product Development, introduced the application as an internal tool to help manage the huge number of software projects that were in development at any time inside the company. Boyd wrote the specification and engaged a local Seattle company to develop the prototype.

The first commercial version of Project was released for [[DOS]] in 1984.  Microsoft bought all rights to the software in 1985 and released version 2. Version 3 for DOS was released in 1986. Version 4 for DOS was the final DOS version, released in 1986. The first [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]] version was released in 1990, and was labelled version 1 for Windows.

In 1991 a [[Macintosh]] version was released.  Development continued until Microsoft Project 4.0 for Mac in 1993. Microsoft Project 4 for the Mac included both 68k and PowerMac versions, Visual Basic for Applications and integration with Microsoft office 4.2 for the Mac. In 1994, Microsoft stopped development of most of its Mac applications and did not offer a new version of Office until 1998, after the creation of the new Microsoft Macintosh Business Unit the year prior. The Mac Business Unit never released an updated version of Project, and the last version does not run natively on [[macOS]].

Microsoft Project 1.0 was the only version to support Windows 2.x ([[Windows 2.0]] and [[Windows 2.1x]]). It came bundled with Windows 2.x runtime but was fully compatible with Windows 3.0, especially Standard and Enhanced modes. The setup program runs in DOS, like most Windows-based applications at the time.

Microsoft Project 3.0 introduced macro support, toolbars, print preview, DDE and OLE support, spell checking, Resource Allocation view and Planning Wizards and was the last to support [[Windows 3.0]]. The setup program now runs in Windows, and it is based on Microsoft's own setup program, which was also used by e.g. Microsoft Visual Basic 2.0/3.0, Works 2.0, Access 1.x.

Microsoft Project 4.0 was the first to use common Office menus, right-click context menus, Acme setup program and the last to support [[Windows 3.1x]], [[Windows NT 3.1]] and [[Windows NT 3.5|3.5]]. It was the last 16-bit version. Additionally it was the first version to use [[Visual Basic for Applications|VBA]] macro language and introduced screen tooltips, Cue Cards, GanttChartWizard, Calendar view, Assign Resources dialog, recurring tasks, workgroup abilities, Drawing toolbar, [[MPX Microsoft Project Exchange File Format|Microsoft Project Exchange]] file format support, OLE 2.0 and ability to create reports. This version allowed user to consolidate up to 80 projects.

Microsoft Project 95 (4.1) was the first 32-bit version and it was designed for [[Windows 95]], hence the name even though some components such as the welcome tour, help components etc. remained 16-bit. It introduced ODBC support, AutoCorrect, Answer Wizard, like all [[Microsoft Office 95|Office 95]] applications. Updated version, called Microsoft Project 4.1a improved Windows NT support. Additionally it was the first version to be available on CD-ROM. Additionally it was the last version to open Project 3.0 files.

Microsoft Project 98 was fully 32-bit, and the first to use [[Tahoma (typeface)|Tahoma]] font in the menu bars, to contain [[Office Assistant]], like all Office 97 applications, introduced view bar, AutoFilter, task splitting, Assignment Information dialog, resource availability dates, project status date, user-entered actual costs, new task types, multiple critical paths, in-sheet controls, ability to rename custom fields, Web publishing features, new database format, Task Usage, Tracking Gantt and Resource Usage views, [[World Wide Web|Web]] features, Web toolbar, PERT analysis features, resource contouring, cost rate tables, effort-driven scheduling, cross-project linking, indicators, progress lines, ability to save project files in [[HTML]] format, ability to analyze time-scaled data in Excel, improved limits for the number of tasks, resources, outline levels etc., [[IntelliMouse]] and Microsoft Office Binder support, [[Microsoft Outlook]] timeline integration, selective data import and export, ability to save as [[Microsoft Excel]] [[pivot table]]s, Microsoft Project Map, Project menu and allowed user to consolidate 1,000 projects. It was the last version to run on [[Windows NT 3.51]], the last to open Project 4.0/95 files and save in .mpx (Microsoft Project Exchange) file format, the last to use Acme setup program and the last to be available on floppy disks. Project 98 SR-1 was a major service release addressing several issues in Project 98.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://support.microsoft.com/kb/185103/ |title=PRJ98: List of Fixes in Microsoft Project 98 SR-1 |work=News Center |publisher=Microsoft |date=September 18, 2011 |access-date=January 20, 2013}}</ref>

Microsoft Project 2000 was the first to use personalized menus, [[Microsoft Agent]]-based Office Assistant and to use [[Windows Installer]]-based setup interface, like all [[Microsoft Office 2000|Office 2000]] applications, and introduced Microsoft Project Central (later renamed Microsoft Project Server). PERT Chart was renamed Network Diagram and was greatly improved in this version. Notable new features include ability to create personal Gantt charts, ability to apply filters in Network Diagram view, AutoSave, task calendars, ability to create projects based on templates and to specify default save path and format, graphical indicators, material resources, deadline dates, OLE DB, grouping, outline codes, estimated durations, month duration, value lists and formulas custom fields, contoured resource availability, ability to clear baseline, variable row height, in-cell editing, fill handle, ability to set fiscal year in timescale, [[single document interface]], accessibility features, [[Component Object Model|COM]] add-ins, pluggable language user interface, roaming user and [[Terminal Services]] support, ability to set task and project priority up to 1,000 (previously 10) and HTML help. Project 2000 was also the last version to support Find Fast (available in [[Windows 9x]] and NT 4.0 only) and to run on [[Windows 95]]. Project 2000 SR-1 fixed several bugs.

Microsoft Project 2002 was the first to contain task panes, safe mode, smart tags, import/setup tracking/new project/calendar/import and export mapping wizards, ability to import tasks from [[Microsoft Outlook|Outlook]] and to save multiple baselines along with additional baseline fields, Project Guide, [[Enterprise project management|EPM]]/portfolio features (Professional only), [[Microsoft Excel|Excel]] task list template, rollup baseline data to summary tasks on a selective baseline save, ability to choose which baseline the earned value calculations are based on, calculation options, multiple project manager support (Project Server is required), Collaborate menu, "Type a question for help" in the top right corner, [[Windows Error Reporting|error reporting]] along with mandatory [[product activation]], like [[Microsoft Office XP|Office XP]] and [[Windows XP]] and ability to open and save Microsoft Project Data Interchange (.mspdi) files. It was also the last version to run on [[Windows NT 4.0]], [[Windows 98|98 (SE)]] and [[Windows ME|ME]]. It was available in two editions for the first time, ''Standard'' and ''Professional''. Office Assistant is installed but not enabled by default. Support for accounts with limited rights under Windows 2000/XP was improved. Find Fast was dropped in favor of Windows 2000/XP Indexing Service.

Microsoft Project 2003 was the first to support [[Windows XP]] [[Windows XP themes|visual styles]] and to contain [[SharePoint]] support, [[XML]] importing/printing/Copy Picture to Office wizards, built-in Office Online help, ability to create [[Work breakdown structure|WBS]] charts in [[Microsoft Visio|Visio]], add-in for comparing projects (available as a freely downloadable add-on for Project 2000 and 2002), resource availability graphs, ability to import resource information from [[Active Directory]] and [[Microsoft Exchange Server|Exchange]] address book, Windows XP-style icons, like all [[Microsoft Office 2003|Office 2003]] applications, and the last to contain [[Office Assistant]] (not installed by default) and to run on [[Windows 2000]] (Service Pack 3 required).

Microsoft Project 2007 was the last to contain the menu bar and toolbars. New features include top level budget planning, multiple level undo, ability to manage non-working time, background cell highlighting, cost/team resources, change highlighting, visual reports, desktop [[OLAP]] cube and Report menu. Office Assistant was removed entirely.

Microsoft Project 2010 was the first to contain ribbon and Backstage view, like all [[Microsoft Office 2010|Office 2010]] applications, contextual guidance, ability to zoom in/out quickly, user-controlled scheduling, top down summary tasks, placeholder text in project fields, timeline view, ability to add columns dynamically, text wrap, expanded color palette and formatting, task inspector, schedule warnings, ability to save as [[PDF]] or [[Open XML Paper Specification|XPS]] and to synchronize with SharePoint, enhanced copy/pase and the last to open Microsoft Project 98 and .mpx files and to run on Windows XP and [[Windows Vista|Vista]]. Additionally it was the first 64-bit version. Volume licensing activation was introduced in this version.

Microsoft Project 2013 was the first to contain [[Modern UI]]-based look, and introduced Microsoft account and [[OneDrive]] integration. New features include integrated communication (Skype for Business is required).

Microsoft Project 2016 is the last to support [[Windows 7]] and [[Windows 8|Windows 8(.1)]]. New features include multiple timeline view, Tell Me, colorful/dark gray/white themes, resource engagements, resource manager views, resource capacity heat maps, ability to give feedback directly to Microsoft in the File tab.

Microsoft Project 2019 runs only on [[Windows 10]], and it contains features carried over from [[Office 365]]. New features include ability to link tasks using a drop-down menu, Task Summary Name field, timeline bar labels and task progress, accessibility improvements.

Versions for Windows were released in 1990 (v1.0), 1992 (v3.0), 1993 (v4.0), 1995 (Project 95, v4.1a), Project 98 (v8.0), Project 98 SR-1 (1999), Project 2000 (v9.0), Project 2000 SR-1 (2001), Project 2002 (v10.0), Project 2003 (v11.0), Project 2007 (v12.0), Project 2010 (v14.0), Project 2013 (v15.0) and Project 2016 (v16.0).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.microsoft.com/uk/office/previous/project/default.mspx |title=Previous Versions of Microsoft Project |website=[[Microsoft]] |access-date=May 6, 2006 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090112090443/http://www.microsoft.com/uk/office/previous/project/default.mspx |archive-date=January 12, 2009 }}</ref> There was no Version 2 on the Windows platform; the original design spec was augmented with the addition of macro capabilities and the extra work required to support a macro language pushed the development schedule out to early 1992 (Version 3).