link two MS project files

[Majid]

Hello Dear;
I have tried copy link which allow me to copy the rows not the columns then
when I remopve one project the other file is not updated and also each time I
add one task I have to make sure that there is a link set up for that row. I
am not sure if i am missing some steps.
What I want to do is to link 3 columns( let say ID, names, number 1) with
the same property from one MS project file to another MS project file.
Therefore one entry will update both files at the same time
Please advise Thank you Majid

 

[John]

Majid,
What exactly do you mean when you say "copy link"? And what do you mean
by "copy rows not the columns"? I know of no way to copy a row without
copying the columns. It just doesn't make sense since columns make up
the rows.

There are various ways of linking one Project file to another. Some are
better than others. One method is to use Paste Links. This method is ok
as long as you stay away from certain fields and are very meticulous in
file maintenance because Paste Links are fragile and prone to
corruption. One of the fields to stay away from is the ID. The ID is a
field calculated by Project and will change any time a task is added or
deleted thus rendering the link useless and probably a real good way to
generate corruption. The Task Name and any of the spare fields should
Paste Link ok but again, the link is fragile. Further, Paste Links will
only update in one direction, that is, the source file will update the
destination file but not vice versa.

I'm not sure why you want to link files in the manner you describe.
Normally a Task Name does not change. Depending on what you are really
trying to accomplish, I might suggest a different approach such as
external links via predecessor/successor or a master file with
subprojects.

Hope this helps.
John

 

[Majid]

Thank you John and sorry for the confusion. I meant "paste link"
The problem I have is that after the paste link, if I add a new task the
linked file is not updated unless I repeat the paste link steps for every new
entry.

The good thing is that when I delete one task, the linked file is also
updated, and it would be greate if I can do the same thing while I am adding
a new task without repeating the paste link steps. Please advise Thank you
Majid

 

[John]

Majid,
That's right, Paste Links do not "self-generate". You will have to
create new links for each added task. That will pretty much be the case
for any scheme used. Causing added tasks to appear in a second file when
created in the first can be done (probably using an event based VBA
macro) but simple links won't do it.

You mention that the process works fine when tasks are deleted but let
me offer a caution. I said Paste Links are fragile. One of the issues
with Paste Links is that even though you only see the destination end of
the link (Edit/Links) there is actually a "link tag" in the source file.
Breaking a link by deleting a task may only break part of the link and
leave a "link fragment" in the other file. That is a prime candidate for
file corruption. I know because I've been there and done that.

John

 

[Majid]

Thank you John for the advise.
I will try to write VBA macro if I can
Regadrs, Majid