WBS codes setup

[Molly]

I have a list of tasks and their corresponding "Work
breakdown structure" number in a separate column
titled "WBS". I would like to know how to make MS Project
automatically indent the task list appropriately, with
a 'plus' sign next to parent tasks, indicating that there
are subtasks under this parent task. Is there a way to
automatically configure the entire task list? Thank you
very much.

 

[Dale Howard]

Molly --

It sounds like someone may have changed some of the Options settings for
your project. Here's how to see what you want in the project:

1. Open the project
2. Click Tools - Options
3. Select the View page
4. Select both the "Indent name" and the "Show outline symbol" options
5. Click OK

Hope this helps.

 

[Molly]

Thank you very much - I have another quick question:

Suppose I have 2 columns: WBS and Task Name. WBS would be
something like 1, 1.1, 1.1.1, 1.1.2, 1.2, 1.3, 2... and
Task names are the corresponding titles. We are manually
entering these values in and have approximately 30-40
tasks (rows). Given this plain cell format with no
indentations, is it possible for Project to automatically
create its own indentations for subtasks based on the WBS
code entered in the WBS column? For example, can I simply
select the appropriate columns and create this format in
one or two clicks? I know how to sort the columns by WBS
but have not found a way to create this 'plus'/minus sign
format for all the tasks at once. Any help is greatly
appreciated.

 

[Dale Howard]

Molly --

To create summary tasks (with the plus/minus) and subtasks (the ones that
are indented), the quickest way to do this is to do as follows:

1. Follow the steps in the previous message so that you can see the the
plus/minus and indentations in the task list
2. Create a task that will serve as a summary task
3. Type one or more tasks below the summary task that will be subtasks
4. Select (highlight) the subtasks
5. Click the Indent button on the Formatting toolbar

While you are creating your task list, you might want to turn off the "plain
cell" format as it sounds like more bother than it is worth. After you have
finished creating the task list and buidling the Work Breakdown Structure
(WBS) for the project, then you can turn on the "plain cell" format again,
if there is a compelling reason. Hope this helps.