Importing an Excel File to update actual work in task assignments

[ToniBCN]

Dear all,
I am experiencing a problem when executing an import map to update the
actual work of task assignments in Project 2003 by means of an Excel file.
The import map uses the "Exclusive Id" of the assignment as merge key. At the
beginning of the execution it apperas a message with the text "The selected
element has several actual values. Do you want to delete it" (this a
translation from the message in spanish) and requests a "Yes" or "No" reply.
When the reply is "No" it seems to stop; but if the reply is yes the update
of values takes place.
Has anybody else experienced the same problem?. Thanks in advance.

 

[JulieS]

Hello Toni,

I am not able to reproduce what you report with what information
you've provided. Please let us know which fields in addition to the
assignment unique id you're attempting to import and what fields are
you changing to update the data.

I hope this helps. Let us know how you get along.

Julie
Project MVP

Visit http://project.mvps.org/ for the FAQs and additional information
about Microsoft Project

 

[ToniBCN]

Dear Julie,

Thanks for you reply.
The fields I am including in the import map are:
· Assignment unique ID
· Task WBS code
.. Resource Name
· Actual Work
being "Actual Work" the single field that is expected to be updated.
For some of the assignments, the value contained by "Actual Work" in the
import file can be the same as that already stored in the project file.
Looking forward to hearing from you soon.
Toni

 

[JulieS]

Hello Toni,

Thanks for the additional information. I've stepped through your
process again creating an Excel file first by exporting assignments
out of a project file, editing the excel file by changing Actual Work,
and merging the excel file back into the Project file.

I can reproduce what you report when I have multiple resources
assigned to tasks and update the information on that task more than
once. I don't believe there is any error, Project is just warning you
that the existing tracking data will be replaced by the new data.

As a suggestion, I recommend exporting the remaining work field in
your export and then updating that information as well. By updating
remaining work as you supply tracking information you can have Project
forecast new schedules. For example, if you had initially estimated
80 hours of effort on an assignment, your resources work 50 hours and
only estimate another 10 hour of work remaining. By updating
remaining work with the 10 hours, not the originally planned 30 hours,
Project will adjust the scheduled finish date.

I hope this helps. Let us know how you get along.

Julie
Project MVP

Visit http://project.mvps.org/ for the FAQs and additional information
about Microsoft Project

 

[ToniBCN]

Hello Julie,

Thanks for your time and effort. As you have verified MS Project issues the
message I commented. More over you have confirmed that such a message is of
informative character with a preventative purpose. So, I need not to worry
anymore.
I fully appreciate your advice on inclusion of the remaining work in the
import file. Be reassured I am taking it.

Again, many thanks for you support. I wish you all the best.

Regards from Barcelona.

Toni

 

[JulieS]

Hello Toni,

You are most welcome for the time and thanks very much for the
feedback.

Best,
Julie

 

[R.Scott Fleming]

Julie, is there a way to import actual hours for specific days?

 

[JulieS]

Hello,

Yes, I believe you can import actual work on a timescaled basis
(specific days) through the use of VBA (Visual Basic for
Applications). If you are interested in pursuing through VBA, I
suggest posting your question to the project developer newsgroup for
guidance after doing some research in VBA help.

I hope this helps. Let us know how you get along.

Julie
Project MVP

Visit http://project.mvps.org/ for the FAQs and additional information
about Microsoft Project