Linked fields and XML

[Dave]

I saved a .MPP as .XML and then re-imported the .XML into MS-Project. I
noticed that fields that were linked in the original .MPP file (set up as
hammock), are still linked after exporting to XML and re-importing, but they
are no longer flagged as they were in the original .MPP file. In the
original there is a tiny green down arrow in the corner of the cell that is
linked to another cell. In the imported .XML file, the flag is gone.

Is there a way to flag linked fields? Maybe some way in VBA to set a custom
flag if the "Start" or "Finish" field is linked?

Dave

 

[John]

I saved a .MPP as .XML and then re-imported the .XML into MS-Project. I
noticed that fields that were linked in the original .MPP file (set up as
hammock), are still linked after exporting to XML and re-importing, but they
are no longer flagged as they were in the original .MPP file. In the
original there is a tiny green down arrow in the corner of the cell that is
linked to another cell. In the imported .XML file, the flag is gone.

Is there a way to flag linked fields? Maybe some way in VBA to set a custom
flag if the "Start" or "Finish" field is linked?

Dave

Dave,
I never tried a save to XML and back with a file containing hammock
tasks and I wouldn't recommend it. The reason is that a hammock task
uses Paste Links and they are rather fragile and prone to corruption.
One of the things that can "confuse" a paste link is moving the file
around (as might happen with a save to a different format). My guess is
that the link indicator doesn't show because the link is at least
partially corrupt. If it still works, you are probably lucky. I wouldn't
expect it to keep working.

However to answer your question, yes the task row of a linked field can
easily be flagged manually and it MAY be possible to use VBA although
there doesn't appear to be an easy way of finding the link information
with VBA - it would probably require a little clever programming.

If you need/want to save the file in different formats, I suggest a
different method be used for the hammock tasks. One method would be to
use a simple VBA macro to adjust the Start and/or Finish dates of the
hammock task. With VBA the file can be moved or saved any way you like
and the macro will still "do its thing".

At least that's my recommendation. Someone else may have an alternate
approach or suggestion.

John
Project MVP

 

[Dave]

Thanks John.

Actually the linked field did seem to be only partially working, and I do
seem to have some corruption type behavior with this file (file size is
growing rapidly for no reason).

I will take your suggestion and avoid using the linked fields.

Dave