suggested approach to develop custom reports

[Dennis Palmiero]

I have approximately 25 projects that need to be interrogated for specific
tasks (identified by Custom Outline codes). I identify which Projects I need
to include for analysis in a Master Project using PWA which opens them using
Project Professional and indicates all the imbedded Projects as linked files.
The deciding factor for display would be the specific task date (from a Task
Calendar) for a particular project. If it falls in the Week of date range it
is displayed. There are multiple tasks and multiple projects that will be
included.

I need to generate a custom view/report (or what ever mechanism) that
displays the following format:

Week of Month, day
Task name A
Linked project 1
Linked project 3
Linked Project x

Task Name B
Linked project 3
Linked project 5
Linked Project x


I’m trying to figure out the best approach to present the finished product
in a custom report format (not the standard report print output) so I also
need to utilize some sort of output format tool (export into Excel?).

I have tried many combinations of filters/views/reports with combinations of
custom fields and outline codes and have not been able to come up with a
credible report.

The primary problem I’m having is displaying each linked project name in the
report.
Any help you can give me to set me in the right direction to develop a
procedure to get this and any repetitive report completed would be greatly
appreciated.

 

[John]

I have approximately 25 projects that need to be interrogated for specific
tasks (identified by Custom Outline codes). I identify which Projects I need
to include for analysis in a Master Project using PWA which opens them using
Project Professional and indicates all the imbedded Projects as linked files.
The deciding factor for display would be the specific task date (from a Task
Calendar) for a particular project. If it falls in the Week of date range it
is displayed. There are multiple tasks and multiple projects that will be
included.

I need to generate a custom view/report (or what ever mechanism) that
displays the following format:

Week of Month, day
Task name A
Linked project 1
Linked project 3
Linked Project x

Task Name B
Linked project 3
Linked project 5
Linked Project x


I’m trying to figure out the best approach to present the finished product
in a custom report format (not the standard report print output) so I also
need to utilize some sort of output format tool (export into Excel?).

I have tried many combinations of filters/views/reports with combinations of
custom fields and outline codes and have not been able to come up with a
credible report.

The primary problem I’m having is displaying each linked project name in the
report.
Any help you can give me to set me in the right direction to develop a
procedure to get this and any repetitive report completed would be greatly
appreciated.

Dennis,
My first response for a custom report is to go directly to VBA. A VBA
approach gives total flexibility and can produce a report in whatever
format you want. Generally I gather the necessary information from
Project, manipulate it if necessary, and then export and format it in
Excel.

John
Project MVP

 

[Dennis Palmiero]

Hi John

I'm trying to accomplish this report and any follow up reports so my client
can generate them whenever needed without any special VBA talent required.
I'm starting to believe that they will have to get some of that talent in
house to do what they need.

I'm moving in the direction you are suggesting and develop the reports in
VBA. I'm trying to fight it however it's drawing me toward the VBA solution.

Thanks again John for the suggestion. I'll keep you updated on the
resolution. Have a happy and safe holiday season to you and all the forum
participants.

 

[John]

Hi John

I'm trying to accomplish this report and any follow up reports so my client
can generate them whenever needed without any special VBA talent required.
I'm starting to believe that they will have to get some of that talent in
house to do what they need.

I'm moving in the direction you are suggesting and develop the reports in
VBA. I'm trying to fight it however it's drawing me toward the VBA solution.

Thanks again John for the suggestion. I'll keep you updated on the
resolution. Have a happy and safe holiday season to you and all the forum
participants.

Dennis,
Just a follow up comment. The client does not need VBA experience to run
one or more reports. The only thing needed is a specification for the
desired reports so the VBA code can be generated by someone with the
necessary experience. That person can be you or someone who contracts
for the work. Once the code is generated all the client needs to do is
run the report(s). When I create VBA code for a client, I set it up to
run from either a menu item or a custom button on a toolbar. Sometimes
the interface includes a user friendly userform if there are multiple
options - very similar to the "analyze timescaled data in Excel"
utility/add-in.

John
Project MVP