Error message from task bar in Gantt chart

[Darlene]

On some of my tasks in my master project file, I am getting this error
message when I try to format the task bar in the Gantt chart:

"The argument value is not valid. Verify that the value is spelled
correctly, and that it is of the type that this argument expects."

What does this mean? I have nothing misspelled and there are no constraints
set. The task is linked to its predecessor properly and the duration is set
at 2 weeks. Nothing seems out of the norm as I have other tasks that work
fine in the Gantt chart. This only occurs on some of the tasks and it is
happening on more than one subproject. I have tried to unlink and reinsert
the subproject after being sure they are saved as 2007 projects. I upgraded
recently from 2003 to 2007 Standard and am not using the Server or
Professional versions. Any ideas?

 

[JulieS]

Hi Darlene,

It sounds to me that the error message is not related to links, but
rather related to the definition that you are trying to use in
formatting the task bar. A couple of things to help us track this down.

Are you using the Format > Bar command or the Format > Bar Styles
command. (I assume Format > Bar Styles)

Are you trying to change an existing bar style or add a new one?
What values are you attempting to enter into the From and To fields?

Let us know the answers or more detailed information about what you are
doing when you see the error message and we'll try to help.

Julie
Project MVP

Visit http://project.mvps.org/ for the FAQs and additional information
about Microsoft Project

 

[Darlene]

Thanks, Julie. I am actually only right-clicking on the specific task bar in
the Gantt chart and choosing Format Bar from the drop down list. I
immediately get the error and can't get the Format Bar dialog box to appear.
On the majority of the task bars, I get the Format Bar dialog box by
doubleclicking or rightclicking and going through the menu, but only a few of
the tasks won't allow me to doubleclicking (when I do, nothing happens, and I
then right click and use the dropdown list to get to the Format Bar dialog
box) give me the error message. I'm not trying to change the Bar Style, just
an individual task bar. And I have tried deleting the task and re-entering
it, but I get the same results.

 

[Darlene]

One more thing: I'm actually only trying to make a particular task bar a
different color so I can color code some of my tasks in my subprojects. I'm
not changing the actual bar style for all task bars, but rather only one bar
at a time. When I use the Format|Bar command, I get the dialog box. But when
I doubleclick the bar, I get the error. I don't get the error on every task
in this particular subproject, just a few within it. And it is happening on
more than one subproject, but not all the tasks within the subprojects.
Weird...

 

[JulieS]

Hi Darlene,

Sorry for the delay in replying. Okay, I think I understand better what you
are seeing.
Just to confirm:
1) You have a master project containing subprojects. The master project was
created by inserting the subprojects and having the subprojects linked to the
master project.
2) The subproject files were originally Proect 2003 files that you have
opened in Project 2007 and saved as Project 2007 files.
3) You are attempting to change the format of a bar in a subproject which is
inserted into the master project.

In quick testing I was not able to reproduce the problem that you describe.
So, a couple of other questions.
In the subproject file are there any custom fields or custom formulas which
are the basis for customizing the gantt bars? For example, have you used a
flag field and then created a custom Gantt bar style based upon that flag
field?

Can you change the format of the bars in the subproject if you open it
outside of the master project?

The fact that the changing of the gantt bars works on some tasks but not all
tasks in the subprojects leads me to think that there is something special or
different about those particular tasks.

Julie
Project MVP

 

[Darlene]

Yes, on the confirmations below.

If I open the subreport outside of the master, I can change the colors with
no errors. This seems to only happen in the master. I have changed the colors
in some of my subprojects individually outside of the master, but when I go
back to the master, the color changes don't stick so I am having to change
them in the master. I want to be able to print the Gantt with all of the
subprojects and their tasks so we have a full picture of workload on our
employees.

As to customization of the fields, the only thing I've changed is the actual
name of the field (which is assigned to the Name field, but shows up on my
master and my subprojects as Task Name). In the Bar Format dialog box, I am
using the Bar Shape tab to change only the Color, nothing more. I have
changed the Bar Text to show the Name to the right of the task and the
Resource Name inside the bar which works fine. But when I try to doubleclick

 

[Darlene]

Another thing about this particular subproject is that I copied it from
another subproject. The original one works fine. Just the copied one is
giving me the problem. Both are saved as 2007 files. I don't think that would
have anything to do with it, but I copied via Windows Explorer rather than
copy and paste of the tasks from one project to another.

In my previous post, I said subreport but meant subproject. I'm not using
subreports, only subprojects. Sorry for the confusion on that.

 

[JulieS]

Hi Darlene,

Well, I must say I'm stumped. It's possible that there is some mild
corruption in the problem subproject file. I suggest disconnecting the
problem file from the master, making a copy of the file (for backup),
and then saving the problem file as an XML file. Then open the XML file
in project, to reimport the file and try again.

Sorry I don't have the "magic" answer. Do let us know if the XML fix
seems to correct the problem.

I hope this helps. Let us know how you get along.

Julie
Project MVP

Visit http://project.mvps.org/ for the FAQs and additional information
about Microsoft Project

 

[Darlene]

Thanks, Julie! I'll try this and let you know how it works.

 

[JulieS]

You're welcome, Darlene, and thanks for the feedback. Good luck and let
us know how it goes.

Julie
Project MVP

Visit http://project.mvps.org/ for the FAQs and additional information
about Microsoft Project

 

[Darlene]

I tried your "fix" and it worked. No more weird error message for that
particular subproject. I'll use the same fix for the others that were
problematic. Thanks so much, Julie!!

 

[JulieS]

You're most welcome Darlene and I'm so glad to know the XML fix worked
. Thanks for letting us know all is well.

Julie
Project MVP