Importing tasks from EXCEL deleting dependancies

[stevio]

This is driving me nuts. For many moons I've been updating project tasks very
happily from XLS using the import feature, all is well.

Upgraded to Proj Prof & Server 2007 and now its broken. When I merge and
import from a file (EXCEL or CSV tried), MS project loses all of the
dependancy information on all tasks (and not just the ones that are being
updated).

I've done this three times..
1. Create a project called "Test project"
2. Add 5 tasks, all linked
3. Export with a new map (Unique-ID, actual work, remaining work) =>
"update.xls"
4. Edit one item in update.xls.
5. Import update.xls into project

Tasks update fine, but all dependancy information has been removed. This has
to be something obvious as this is basic stuff, but its not obvious to me
right now :-(

This still happens even if I delete all of the data from update.xls. Just
the process of importing an update seems to delete all the predecessors. HELP!

Thanks for any help, this forum is a life saver,
Stevio

 

[Mike Glen]

Hi Stevio,

Try posting on the microsoft.public.project.server newsgroup. Please see
FAQ Item: 24. Project Newsgroups. FAQs, companion products and other
useful Project information can be seen at this web address:
http://project.mvps.org/faqs.htm

Mike Glen
Project MVP

 

[stevio]

Confused. Did I post this in the wrong place, I though "Discussions in MS
project general questions" sounded right?

 

[JulieS]

Stevio,

The removal of predecessors and successors when importing is a bug in
Project 2007. I imagine it will be fixed with a new service pack.

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

 

[stevio]

Thanks Julie,

:-(

Do you know if it is only those fields that get lost, or are there more
fields affected?
(i.e. can I work around it by including predecessors/successors in the
export/import and always exporting and importing in all tasks)

Alternatively does any out there have a link to a VBA Macro or Addin that is
easy to install that can do the importing?

Thanks for your help,
Steve

PS: This seemed to work OK on Project-2007-Standard edition, although I have
also loaded a service pack since upgrading to the professional version.

 

[JulieS]

Hi stevio,


I'm sorry, I don't recall the results of my testing It was about 5
months ago that I filed the bug on the Microsoft connect site for
Project.
(http://connect.microsoft.com/feedback/default.aspx?SiteID=235)

You can certainly experiment with importing/exporting predecessor and
successors, but I vaguely recall trying that to no success either.
(Sorry, I don't have 2007 handy right now or I'd try it too)

Julie

 

[stevio]

For the record, I uninstalled Project 2007 including SP1 and then reinstalled
it without SP1 and the problem is no more.

Seems this bug was introduced in SP1.
When is SP2 coming out?? :-(

Steve

 

[JulieS]

Hi Stevio,

Sorry, I don't know of an proposed release for SP-2. I would also be
on the lookout however for bugs in a non-SP-1 released -- there were a
number that may make it worse to not have the pack installed.

Thanks for the additional information.

Julie

 

[Mike Glen]

Hi Stevio,

As you will see from the FAQ, if you're using the Professional version with
Project Server, the server newsgroup is for you. There are many differences
in the way Project handles things in the server version to the Standard
version, though the principles are the same. We try not to "clog" this
group with server-based questions, though the experts read both and you will
usually get an answer here, with which the Standard users have no interest.

Mike Glen
Project MVP

 

[JulieS]

Stevio,

If you are still monitoring this thread, I've just done a test with
the Infrastructure Update patch applied to Project 2007 SP-1 and in
early testing, it appears to have fixed the importing issue. Read
further about the Update at:

http://blogs.msdn.com/project/archi...infrastructure-update-for-office-servers.aspx

I haven't spent a great deal of time in testing, just ran through some
scripts that I had before to demonstrate 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