File Sharing Problems

Fix Microsoft Project Creating Duplicate SharePoint Files

Huda Qurayshi Sep 27, 2026 869 views

Question details

Prevent Microsoft Project from generating duplicate files when multiple users collaborate on SharePoint project files linked to a master schedule.

Fix Microsoft Project Creating Duplicate SharePoint Files

Product: Microsoft Project
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Multiple users are attempting to edit SharePoint project files linked to a master schedule at the same time.
Observed behavior: The OneDrive sync client creates duplicate copies of the Microsoft Project files because it cannot merge simultaneous changes from multiple users.

Before you start

Before modifying or deleting any duplicate project files, ensure you manually review both versions to identify which file contains the most recent task updates to prevent accidental data loss.

Solution 1Recommended

Resolve Sync Conflicts and Prevent Simultaneous Editing

Manually consolidate changes from the duplicate file and enforce single-user editing to prevent future sync conflicts.

The OneDrive sync client generates a duplicate file, usually with your computer name appended, when it detects conflicting changes from multiple users that it cannot automatically merge.

Because Microsoft Project desktop files (.mpp) do not support real-time co-authoring like Word or Excel, team members must avoid editing the same synchronized file simultaneously.

Compare file versions manually

Open both the original Microsoft Project file and the duplicate file created by OneDrive to review the latest task updates, resource allocations, and schedule changes.

Consolidate your changes

Copy any missing updates from the duplicate file and paste them into the primary master project file.

Delete the duplicate copy

Once all data is safely merged into the main file and saved, select the duplicate file in your SharePoint or OneDrive folder and delete it.

Check out files in SharePoint

To prevent future simultaneous edits, always right-click the project file in your SharePoint document library online, select 'More', and click 'Check out' before opening it in Microsoft Project.

Resolve Sync Conflicts and Prevent Simultaneous Editing

Co-authoring Limitations: Microsoft Project (.mpp) files do not support real-time co-authoring. Using SharePoint's 'Check Out' feature locks the file for other users, ensuring that only one person can make changes at a time.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Discover WPS Office for Seamless Team Collaboration

While WPS Office does not directly edit Microsoft Project (.mpp) files, it provides a highly compatible, lightweight, and free alternative to Microsoft Office for managing project documentation, tracking schedules in spreadsheets, and collaborating with your team without sync conflicts.

1. Download and install WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website to download and install the free WPS Office suite on your device.
2. Utilize project management templates: Open WPS Spreadsheet, navigate to the template library, and search for 'Gantt Chart' or 'Project Tracker' to easily manage your schedules.
3. Collaborate in real-time: Save your project documents to WPS Cloud and share the link with your team to edit together simultaneously without generating duplicate files.

Highly compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formats.Built-in cloud collaboration enables real-time co-authoring, preventing duplicate file conflicts.Free, lightweight, and fast to install on Windows, Mac, Linux, and mobile devices.Rich library of project management and Gantt chart spreadsheet templates.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does OneDrive append my computer name to the Project file?

OneDrive appends your computer name to a file when it detects a sync conflict. This happens if multiple users edit the same Microsoft Project file at the exact same time, and OneDrive cannot safely merge the differing changes automatically.

How do I lock a Microsoft Project file in SharePoint?

Navigate to your SharePoint document library in a web browser, select the Microsoft Project file, click the three-dot menu (Show actions), go to 'More', and select 'Check out'. This locks the file, preventing others from editing it until you check it back in.

Does Microsoft Project desktop support real-time co-authoring?

No, the Microsoft Project desktop application does not support real-time co-authoring for .mpp files. If multiple team members need to update tasks simultaneously, you should consider using Project Online or strictly checking files out one at a time.

Document & File Issues