Microsoft Project 2013: The Missing Manual

Creating a New Project File

To get this test drive going, you need a new Project file. Here’s how to create a new Project file and set it up for your project:

1. Launch Project. Then, in Backstage view (Managing Files in Backstage View), click the Blank Project icon on the right side of the screen (see Figure 4-1).

   Project creates a new blank file, called something like Project1.

   

   Figure 4-1. When you launch Project, on the left side of Backstage view, you’ll see recent files you’ve opened. Click a filename to open that project. To create a new Project file, click the Blank Project icon on the right side of the screen.

   Tip

   If Project is already running and you see the ribbon tabs (Task, Resource, and so on) instead of Backstage view, you can create a new blank Project file simply by pressing Ctrl+N, or by choosing File→New, and then, on the New page, clicking the Blank Project icon.

2. To change your project’s start date, in the Project tab’s Properties section, click Project Information.

   The Project Information dialog box opens.

3. In the Start Date box, select the starting date, such as 2/10/2013, and then click OK.

   Your project typically doesn’t start the same day you build your project schedule, so change the project’s start date to when you expect work to begin. Setting an accurate start date is important, since Project schedules new tasks to start as soon as possible—initially, the project start ...