Inserting a new task into an existing project.

[Paul]

I've notice that when I insert a new task into a project I'm tracking (right
click, new task - between existing tasks) that the id number is NOT the next
sequencial number that should fall between the existing tasks. And this is
seriously messing up my project! What I am doing wrong?

 

[JulieS]

Hello Paul,

Are you viewing the ID number or the Unique ID number? Hover your mouse
over the column heading and check the field name. ID should fit
sequentially -- Unique ID will not be sequential.

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

 

[Paul]

It's the number in the grey boarder along the left edge. There's no column
heading to hover over.

 

[Jack Dahlgren]

Your project may not be sorted by ID.
As for understanding what field is used, go to view menu / tables / more
tables / edit and see what column is at the top of the list. The "lock first
column" controls whether the column is locked or not. If you unlock it then
the grey will disappear.

-Jack Dahlgren

 

[Paul]

Thanks Jack,

the column heading is ID. But I still don't get it; why does the ID become
the next numberic value available when I insert a new task in the middle of
the project? Surely the new task should retain numberic sequencing??

Maybe I should ask another way - how do I insert a task into the middle of
the project and maintain numberic sequencing for the ID column?

Cheers - Paul

 

[JulieS]

Hi Paul,

Okay, now I am confused - but it doesn't take much. You are seeing the
ID field I think we have determined.

You have two tasks in a project. They are listed one after another in
the task sheet:
Task A - Task ID 50
Task B - Task ID 51

What do you want to happen when you insert Task C between Task A (ID50)
and Task B (ID51)? What project should do is insert the new task, give
it ID 51 and change the ID of Task B to ID 52. The end result is:

Task A - Task ID 50
Task C - Task ID 51
Task B - Task ID 52

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

 

[Paul]

Hi Julie,

that's what I would have liked to have happened. Instead Task C (the
inserted task) came back with ID 95.

Task A - Task ID 50
Task C - Task ID 95
Task B - Task ID 52

Then, I'd save the project (using a different name 'cause I suspected I'd
run into issues), open it up again and find Task C (ID95) further down the
project from where I inserted it.

Why? What am I doing wrong?

Cheers - Paul

 

[JulieS]

Hello Paul,

Well, you've got me stumped. Even when sorting the project and
inserting the new task, I cannot reproduce what you are seeing.

What version of MS Project are you using?

If the project file is not "top secret", you can zip it and send it
along to me by email if you'd like. I can't guarantee I can fix it, nor
can I tell you why -- but it may be helpful for me to see the file. My
email address is:
pass port 6847 AT maine dot rr dot com

Remove spaces, replace the AT with @ and replace the dot with .

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

 

[Paul]

Julie,

thanks for help - it is appreciated. I can't seem to decode your email
address correctly. I've tried 3 different combinations and get three
Undelivered messages back. Why don't you send me an email and I'll reply.
My email address is probably easier to decode.

paulswilkinson AT hotmail DOT com

I've got a GREAT version of the project plan for you...

Cheers - Paul

 

[JulieS]

Thanks Paul. Email was sent and I'll try to get to your project file
tomorrow (Wednesday) afternoon.

Julie
Project MVP