Display Project Info and Task Count without Project

In the active project plan file, apply the proper command sequence to open the File Properties dialog box. In Project 2013, that’s File > Info > Project Information > Advanced Properties.

1. On the Custom tab, enter a name for the information you want to display.
2. Select a Type and select the checkbox Link to content. The Source box will display the project summary task fields that can be linked to the custom information specified in the Name box.
3. Click Add to include the custom information defined to the Properties box.
4. Click OK to close the dialog box and exit Project by closing the file.

In order to test this, locate the file on the computer and right-click its desktop shortcut or filename in the folder to open the File Properties dialog box. The Custom tab will show the information that has just been added, even in a system with no Microsoft Project installation!

If you want to display your task count without opening your project file, follow these steps.

1. Do the steps above to add the Contact field (Name: TASK COUNT, Type: Text, Source: Contact) to the Custom tab of the File Properties dialog box.
2. In Project, select Use formula to enter this:

iif( [ID] = 0, [Task Count], 0 )

to the task custom number field Number20.
3. Next, open the Project Summary Task, right-click Number20 in the project summary row, select Copy Cell, then right-click Contact cell of the project summary task and apply Paste Special > Paste Link > OK.

Now Contact field will display the task count of the project.

In order to test this, locate the file on the computer and right-click its desktop shortcut or filename in the folder to open the File Properties dialog box. Again, the Custom tab will show the information that has just been added, even in a system with no Microsoft Project installation.

Ismet Kocaman display project info and task count
Written by Ismet Kocaman
Ismet Kocaman, MCTS, PMP, is a Mechanical Engineer and has more than 15 years of project management experience in the manufacturing sector. He currently provides consultancy to small to mid-sized companies on project management, reorganizing, and streamlining the manufacturing operations. He also conducts training seminars for engineers on MS Project. Contact Ismet at ikocaman.pm@gmail.com.
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