Ever had a problem finding a project control document on your computer, network, or intranet? You can open a control document, such as a statement of work, from within Microsoft Project, quickly and easily, without searching. Here's how.

1. Open the project and navigate to the Hyperlinks table. In Project 2010 you get there by selecting the View tab, then select Tables from the Data group.

2. When the table is shown, make sure you turn on the Project Summary Task so you can type the file location and file name into Hyperlink and/or Address fields as shown in the figure below. Turn on the Project Summary Task by selecting the Format tab, and then check the Project Summary Task box in the Show/Hide group.

3. Test the link by right-clicking on the Project Summary Task name in the Hyperlink Table and then choose Open Hyperlink from the Hyperlink dropdown:

When the document opens, you’ve successfully linked to your control document! If the document doesn’t open, make sure the address and hyperlink correctly identify the document location, name, and extension, like the .docx in the figures above.

This next figure shows an example -- my statement of work referenced in the Hyperlink Table above.

Tip! Don’t forget to check out Help in Project. The Hyperlink and Address fields are explained nicely in the Fields reference. Give this simple technique a try and save yourself some time for other things -- like managing your project!

This article was first published on Sam Huffman's Project Blog at http://winprojblog.blogspot.com/.

Sam Huffman, PMP, has been delivering training for The Versatile Company since 1996. Prior to joining Versatile, he was a member of the Microsoft Project development and support team. He has maintained his intimate knowledge of Microsoft Project with each new release and is considered a leading authority on the tool, including the newest enterprise features of all versions of Project and Project Server. During his tenure at Versatile, Sam has honed his instruction skills by delivering programs for thousands of people. His reputation for delivering practical wisdom with an upbeat style makes him one of Versatile's most requested instructors. Sam holds Microsoft's prestigious Most Valuable Professional designation. You can reach him professionally at sam.huffman@versatilecompany.com or personally at projectmanagementinfo@comcast.net.