How to Change Project Name in Microsoft Project: Step-by-Step Guide

Renaming a project in Microsoft Project is simpler than most realize. I’ve watched colleagues waste hours recreating files just to change a name, but there’s a 30-second method that preserves all your data.

The process varies slightly between versions—2016, 2019, 2021, or 365—but the core approach remains consistent. You won’t need special permissions or admin access, just the file open in front of you.

You’ll keep all tasks, timelines, and dependencies intact while the new name propagates everywhere automatically. No broken links, no missing data, just a clean update across the entire project.

Works for both desktop and cloud versions. Here’s how to do it right.

What Youll Need

Instructions

Here’s the procedure I follow to rename a project file without losing any data or formatting.

Launch Microsoft Project and open the file you want to rename. I always start by verifying I’m working on the correct version—look for the project name in the title bar to confirm.

Click File in the top-left corner, then select Info from the left-hand menu. This section contains all the project metadata, including the current name.

In the Info tab, find the Properties panel on the right. The first field is typically Project Name, which currently displays the existing title.

If you don’t see the properties panel, click the Project Information button in the middle of the screen to expand it. This ensures you’re editing the correct field, not just the filename.

Click inside the Project Name field and type the new name. There’s no character limit, but I recommend keeping it under 64 characters for compatibility with older systems.

Press Enter or click outside the field to confirm the change. The new name will appear in the title bar and in all internal references, but the filename itself remains unchanged until you save.

Click File again, then select Save As. In the dialog box, navigate to your desired location and enter the new filename in the File name field.

Choose the file format (typically .mpp for Microsoft Project files) and click Save. This creates a new file with the updated name while preserving all project data, tasks, and custom fields.

Close and reopen the file to confirm the new name appears in the title bar and properties. I also check the Recent list in the File menu to ensure the correct name is displayed there.

If the name doesn’t update, repeat Step 3—sometimes the change doesn’t apply until you manually refresh the properties panel or restart the application.

Tips and Common Mistakes

Small oversights can derail this process, but these insights will keep you on track.

Verification First: In Step 1, always double-check the title bar before proceeding—it’s surprising how often people edit the wrong file. I once spent 20 minutes renaming a project only to realize I’d opened a backup copy by mistake.

Hidden Panel Fix: If you can’t find the Properties panel in Step 2, click the Project Information button as instructed. This panel sometimes collapses on older versions of Microsoft Project, especially if you’ve customized your ribbon layout.

Character Limit Wisdom: The 64-character recommendation in Step 3 isn’t arbitrary—older systems and some third-party integrations truncate longer names. Between us, I’ve seen projects fail to sync with SharePoint when names exceeded this limit.

Save vs. Save As Clarity: Remember in Step 4 that Save won’t update the filename—only Save As creates the new file. I learned this the hard way after wondering why my renamed project still had the old filename in File Explorer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Changing your project name in Microsoft Project is a straightforward process that helps keep your files organized and easily identifiable. Take a moment to update the name and ensure your project stays on track with clear, accurate labeling. Next, explore other customization options to optimize your workflow even further! 🚀