Using Linked Tasks

[Michelle L.]

I recently added a linked task to my project plan using copy, paste special,
paste link. Since that time, the following fields go blank for no apparent
reason:

Duration,
% Complete,
Start,
Finish,
Baseline Start,
Baseline Finish.

The information is still there, but appears empty. The only way to see the
information, is to collapse and uncollapse the area. Any time, I type in new
information regardless of the location, areas of the plan go blank.
Sometimes when I hit enter the information reappears, other times it just
flashes.

Has anyone else seen this?
I

 

[Jim Aksel]

Pasting a link is not the same as pasting the entire task.
To copy the task, just use ordinary copy/paste by selecting the entire task
row.
--
If this post was helpful, please consider rating it.

Jim Aksel, MVP

Check out my blog for more information:
http://www.msprojectblog.com

 

[Michelle L]

I did a copy link on the fields that are disappearing.

My approach was to copy, paste link, the start, % Complete and dates so that
I could show the status of a task that is in a different part of the plan.

There is a task of building a model in one part of the plan. I also have a
section in the plan to address the readiness of an executive status meeting.
One of the items needed for this meeting is the review of the model. I was
using a copy link to show the status of the model without loosing it's
original place in the plan. In theory any status changes I make to the model
task would update the the section of the plan which has the prep for the
executive status meeting.

What I don't understand is why these fields are now whiting out for lack of
a better term.

 

[Rob Schneider]

Michelle,

What you are doing is not "as designed" and probably won't work (as you
are finding out!

What is it you are *trying* to do?

--rms

www.rmschneider.com

 

[Jim Aksel]

I am assuming you mean "paste link" as part of the "paste special" dialog.
You need to do something else, this is why your task information is not
appearing as you wish. If you see a little gray triangle in your tasks in any
field, then (I think) you are doing the wrong thing. Using a pasted "link"
between data fields on tasks will force dates or a %complete, but that is not
a best practice. Interesting idea, worth playing around a bit.

If you want to show the status of certain lines in the plan and not others,
then create a filter to show only those lines. For example, enter "yes" in
the Flag1 field for all the tasks you want to show and then filter to
Flag1=yes.

If a model must be built before an executive review can take place, then
establish a predecessor/successor relationship between the two tasks by using
the task ID and key that task ID into the predecessor column.

Sometimes, milestones are used in one section of a plan to show that a group
of tasks in another section of the plan are complete. So in your "executvie
briefing" section, you could have a milestone that says "Model Complete" or
similar.

ALthough that may not address your issue head on, I think it will get you in
the direction you should go.
--
If this post was helpful, please consider rating it.

Jim Aksel, MVP

Check out my blog for more information:
http://www.msprojectblog.com

 

[Michelle L]

I appreciate your process advice.

This does not answer the question of why using Copy, Paste Special, Paste
Link functionality behaves the way it does. I have used this functionality in
previous versions for this reason and to create Hammocks. It did not cause
random blanking of data in the project file.