SQL to Mpp

[Robert]

Hi guys/gals,

I have been administrator for MS Project 2000 for a while
now. It has always been the case that our projects are
stored in a SQL database.

We have a complicated structure with actual projects,
consolidated master projects on several levels, milestone
projects (where all actual projects are linked upto)

We suddenly have to extract actual & milestone projects to
mpp files so that it can be viewed by an outside source.
Lets just say that just by attempting to do this, has run
into major problems. I would compare it to medevil heart
surgery!!! ripping someones heart out, and shoving it into
an open chest and expecting it to work!!!!

Is there a reliable proceedure of how to do this???

Thanks in adv
Robert

 

[Rob Schneider]

Hi guys/gals,

I have been administrator for MS Project 2000 for a while
now. It has always been the case that our projects are
stored in a SQL database.

We have a complicated structure with actual projects,
consolidated master projects on several levels, milestone
projects (where all actual projects are linked upto)

We suddenly have to extract actual & milestone projects to
mpp files so that it can be viewed by an outside source.
Lets just say that just by attempting to do this, has run
into major problems. I would compare it to medevil heart
surgery!!! ripping someones heart out, and shoving it into
an open chest and expecting it to work!!!!

Is there a reliable proceedure of how to do this???

Thanks in adv
Robert

I can't help but think that this is surely achievable; however, given
that you have the self-described structural complexity, I don't know
what format you are trying to arrive at, and you don't explain the
problems you are having I'm not sure what advice I can provide.

I'm wondering, though, if the outside sources actually need/want MPP
files? Instead, do they want extracts, summaries, reports, ... something
resulting from analysis and intepretation for them to read, or are they
really seeking the complex "source data" in MPP files? Before jumping
through hoops may be worth asking that question again.

 

[Robert]

Basically we need to provide a working duplicate of all
our projects. Thats with links, tracking... everything!!!

The option that we have gone for (the shortcut through the
wolf infested forest, instead of going around it)... is
that they have been given access to our live database.
This was done against my will as they are not MS Project
users. One mistake and..... well, dont even want to think
about it!!!

The problem seems to be copying all projects so that links
are a) Still intact & b) linked to mmp's instead of back
into our database. Trying to copy the files out to mpp
WITH LINKS meant that linked summary tasks refers back to
our live DB!! Copying WITHOUT links... well.. thats our
nerv system that holds everything together!!!

We have daily backups so if anything does happen, we can
restore... but prevention is better than the cure

Regards
Robert

 

[Jack D.]

Basically we need to provide a working duplicate of all
our projects. Thats with links, tracking... everything!!!

The option that we have gone for (the shortcut through the
wolf infested forest, instead of going around it)... is
that they have been given access to our live database.
This was done against my will as they are not MS Project
users. One mistake and..... well, dont even want to think
about it!!!

The problem seems to be copying all projects so that links
are a) Still intact & b) linked to mmp's instead of back
into our database. Trying to copy the files out to mpp
WITH LINKS meant that linked summary tasks refers back to
our live DB!! Copying WITHOUT links... well.. thats our
nerv system that holds everything together!!!

We have daily backups so if anything does happen, we can
restore... but prevention is better than the cure

Regards
Robert

I would try the following.
Open a blank file.
Go to insert menu and insert all the necessary files - making sure that the
"link to project" box is not checked.
Then save the file that you have created.

I am not certain that it will work, but it should be easy for you to check
with a file or two.



--
Please try to keep replies in this group. I do check e-mail, but only
infrequently. For Macros and other things check http://masamiki.com/project

-Jack Dahlgren, Project MVP


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