"The resource list is too long" message in MSP, while trying to type in resource names (CP2010 SP1)

Symptoms:
When trying to type more resource names in the CP Gantt view in MSP, user is presented with a warning message. After that point it is not possible to close the project file unless the WINPROJ.EXE process is terminated via Task Manager.

Error/warning messages:
The resource list is too long.

A resource list that contains more than 256 characters cannot be edited or deleted or used on the To line of a message.

Use the Resource Information dialog box to edit long resource names.

Reason:
Since MSP has a limit on the number of characters that can be added into the columns, this warning message is displayed so that the user can add more names via other user interfaces, such as the task information dialog.

After pressing OK the warning message is closed. However, the focus is still on the resource names and the cursor is still inside the cell, therefore attempting to click on another area will cause the same message to be displayed. This loop will continue unless the changes are cancelled.

Resolution:

In order to prevent this message, user needs to remove the names s/he tried to add or simply press the Escape key on the keyboard while the focus is on the cell that is being edited. This will remove the changes and allow the user to continue working on the project.

In order to edit the resource list to add more names, user can do one of the followings:
- Double click on the resource names to display the resource list in the task information dialog
- Press “Shift+F2” for displaying the same dialog
- Select “Split” from the Window menu to display the resource names in the bottom half of the window