Outlining in Master projects

[Sally]

As opposed to using outlining columns, I am using task outlining both for
legability, indenting the number with the txt, printing and export reasons.
However I need each sub-project to start with a different number. Currently
I am using blank tasks to force the numbering.
Using Outlining in the text, can I define a start number?

When I place a sub-projects into a master project the sub numbers all
commnece with 1.

Can I retain the outline numbers so that tasks under "7.0 Project name "
expands to 7.1, 7.1.1, etc?

Thanks,

Sally.

 

[John]

As opposed to using outlining columns, I am using task outlining both for
legability, indenting the number with the txt, printing and export reasons.
However I need each sub-project to start with a different number. Currently
I am using blank tasks to force the numbering.
Using Outlining in the text, can I define a start number?

When I place a sub-projects into a master project the sub numbers all
commnece with 1.

Can I retain the outline numbers so that tasks under "7.0 Project name "
expands to 7.1, 7.1.1, etc?

Thanks,

Sally.

Sally,
Task ID numbering in master projects is something often misunderstood by
new users. In a master project that has inserted subprojects, the
subprojects themselves are not actually part of the master. Rather, the
master simply contains a pointer to the separate independent subproject.
That is why the task ID numbers start over with "1" for each subproject.
This is the normal default dynamically linked master. If you do not need
the subprojects linked to the master, you can build a static master by
unchecking the "link to master" box at the bottom of the Insert Projects
window. With a static master, the content of the subprojects IS
physically inserted into the master. However, be advised that the master
will be totally independent (i.e. changes in either the individual
subprojects or the static master will NOT be reflected in each other as
they are with a dynamically linked master).

Now that the structure of Project master files is hopefully clarified,
let me answer your question. Can you define a start number of outlining
in the text, well, no and yes. No, it cannot be done by simply selecting
the option to "show outline number". But yes, it can be done with a
spare text field (for defining your own outline) and concatenating that
with the Task Name.

Hope this helps.
John
Project MVP

 

[Sally]

Thanks for your reply John.

....Can you define a start number of outlining

in the text, well, no and yes. No, it cannot be done by simply selecting
the option to "show outline number". But yes, it can be done with a
spare text field (for defining your own outline) and concatenating that
with the Task Name.

"concatenating" I assume by this you mean collapsing or hiding tasks. How
do you do this? Dragging tasks closed doesn't seem to work and I can't find
a hide task function.

Thanks again.

Sally.

 

[John]

Thanks for your reply John.

...Can you define a start number of outlining

"concatenating" I assume by this you mean collapsing or hiding tasks. How
do you do this? Dragging tasks closed doesn't seem to work and I can't find
a hide task function.

Thanks again.

Sally.

Sally,
"Concatenating" is a fancy word for adding (appending) two text strings
together. The idea is to set up a spare text field for your outlining
code sequence and then concatenating (adding) that text field as a
prefix unto the Task Name field. That's basically what the built-in
option does with the Outline Number field and Task Name field.

It is a fairly simple text manipulation process - very easy to do with a
simple VBA macro (see below) but probably can also be done with a custom
formula and paste links, although the latter is not a recommended method
due to the propensity for corruption.

Here is the simple macro code to do what you want (It assumes the
outline code sequence is in Task Text1).

Sub My_Outline()
Dim t As Object
OutlineShowTasks expandinsertedprojects:=True
SelectTaskColumn
For Each t In ActiveSelection.Tasks
If Not t Is Nothing Then
t.Name = t.Text1 & " " & t.Name
End If
Next t
SelectBeginning
End Sub

 

[Sally]

Look forward to the challenge!

Thanks for your continuing support.

Sally.

 

[John]

Look forward to the challenge!

Thanks for your continuing support.

Sally.

Sally,
You're welcome.
John