refresh Access data in Project 2003

[Leon]

I have successfully imported data fields from an Access dababase using the
ODBC import. Why doesn't Project update automatically when I change data in
the Access table? How do I force a data refresh?

 

[Rick Williams]

You can't do it because the two programs aren't "linked". You imported the
data from MS Access, but now it is in Project. In the old days, using DDE,
you could link data in Project to data in MS Excel, and theoretically you
could have had the Excel data be a live dataset. But this was always a
tricky proposition - for example, if you had added a task in Project, no
link would exist to Excel and then to Access. If you moved or renamed one of
the files, the whole process would break down.

So, one way to do this is to write some code in Access that updates Project
when you update the data in Access. If you use a form in Access, you can
attach that code to an "Update Project" command button on your Access form.
Just be sure that your Access tables include the Project filename and the
UniqueIDs of tasks.
It probably sounds more complicated than it is. BTW, are you doing your
Access updates via a Web interface? If so, it is possible to put Project on
the server and have ASP code update both.
Best of luck,
Rick Williams

 

[Leon]

Thanks, Rick. That's what I was afraid of.

No. Unfortuantely, I'm working in a self-contained Access application and
standalone Project 2003 Standard. I do use lot's of VBA in my Access project,
though,and will look into your suggestion. I assume I'd open the Project file
as an object in Access and then have access to the tasks?

 

[Rick Williams]

Yes - just set a reference to MS Project and then you will have access to
all its objects, properties and methods.
Rick