How to Remove a Broken Project Resource Pool Link in MS Project
Question details
The user needs to remove a broken resource pool link from a Microsoft Project file that was caused by renaming or deleting a linked project file.
- Product
- Microsoft Project
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Managing shared resources and linked Microsoft Project (.mpp) files over a shared environment like SharePoint.
- Observed behavior
- Selecting the broken link produces an ERR_INVALID_RESPONSE error, and the link cannot be easily removed because the original linked file no longer exists.
Ensure you have the main Resource Pool file open and note down the exact names of the renamed or deleted project files that are causing the invalid response.
Break the Link within the Resource Pool File
Use the Share Resources dialog inside the main Resource Pool file to manually break the links to any missing or renamed project files.
When an MPP file is renamed or deleted without first disconnecting it from the resource pool, the central pool retains a ghost link. This must be cleared from within the resource pool file itself rather than the individual project files.
Launch Microsoft Project and open the main Resource Pool file that contains the broken links.
On the ribbon, go to the 'Resource' tab, click on 'Assignments', select 'Resource Pool', and then choose 'Share Resources'.
In the Share Resources dialog box, locate and select the file name associated with the broken link (the old or deleted file name).
Click the 'Break Link' button. If there are multiple affected files, repeat this process for each one.
Select 'OK' to close the dialog box, then save the Resource Pool file to permanently apply the changes.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I get an ERR_INVALID_RESPONSE when clicking a resource link in MS Project?
This error typically occurs when a linked Microsoft Project (.mpp) file has been renamed, moved to a different folder, or deleted, which abruptly breaks the connection to the central resource pool.
How can I prevent broken links when renaming project files?
To prevent broken links, always open the project file, disconnect it from the resource pool first, save it, rename or move the file, and then re-establish the resource pool link with the new file name.
Can I delete a broken resource pool link if the original project file is completely missing?
Yes, even if the original file is missing, you can manually break the ghost link from within the main Resource Pool file by navigating to Resource > Resource Pool > Share Resources and using the Break Link option.
