Linking projects

[shoppingboy]

I have copied 5 tasks from a project and linked them in a consolidate
project using the 'Paste Special' command. This almost works wel
because any changes I make to the tasks in the original project ar
reflected in the consolidated project except the % complete shown in th
indicators column. For some reason, when I make any changes to the
complete in the original project, the changes arent reflected in th
consolidated project (and vice versa). I'm presuming that % complet
should be updated like any other field therefore any help would b
appreciated

 

[Rob Schneider]

The right way to do a consolidated project with Project is to use the
Menu: Insert/Project command to insert a subproject into a master
project. Check "on" link to project.


--rms

www.rmschneider.com

 

[John]

I have copied 5 tasks from a project and linked them in a consolidated
project using the 'Paste Special' command. This almost works well
because any changes I make to the tasks in the original project are
reflected in the consolidated project except the % complete shown in the
indicators column. For some reason, when I make any changes to the %
complete in the original project, the changes arent reflected in the
consolidated project (and vice versa). I'm presuming that % complete
should be updated like any other field therefore any help would be
appreciated.

shoppingboy,
I don't think Rob was quite as adamant as he should have been. Unless
the user is an seasoned expert with Project, using Paste Special for
linking is asking for trouble. Although it seems like a really nice
approach, in all likelihood your files will become corrupt and you'll
have royal mess.

If you don't want to insert the whole project, (i.e. the project with
the 5 tasks), into your existing consolidated project as Rob suggests,
then I suggest you set up the 5 tasks as external
predecessors/successors into your consolidated file. This approach isn't
foolproof either, but it is better than using paste links.

Been there, done that.

John
Project MVP

 

[shoppingboy]

Thanks for your thoughts Rob but I'm not trying to insert a whol
project into a consolidated project. Ive merely taken 5 tasks from
project containing about 60 tasks and copied them (using 'past
special') into a blank project. Any changes made to the original task
should be relected in the same tasks in the blank project shouldnt it?
This is happening apart from % complete

 

[Rob Schneider]

Well, as John said ... not a good thing to do. Paste/Special is a very
weak part of Project and best completely avoided.

I would insert the full project and simply filter from view any
extra/unwanted tasks in the view.

Don't mess with Paste/Special. It will mess with you.

--rms

www.rmschneider.com

 

[shoppingboy]

Thanks for the help guys. Based on your advice Ive now abandoned th
idea altogether. Its a shame that Project has the 'paste special
function but it doesnt work very well

 

[Rob Schneider]

What you want to do can be done. It's just the "how". No need to
abandon unless it is essential that you use Paste/Special. I'm assuming
that the project is more important than to let an incorrect "how" get in
the way of a business need.

Use Project's "insert project" function, and then use filters to hide
what you don't want shown.

(The idea of Paste/Special with link got started in the early 1990's if
not before with Windows 3.1 and OLE ... never worked as advertised.)

--rms

www.rmschneider.com

 

[John]

Thanks for the help guys. Based on your advice Ive now abandoned the
idea altogether. Its a shame that Project has the 'paste special'
function but it doesnt work very well.

shoppingboy,
You're welcome. I agree with Rob, don't abandon the idea altogether,
just be willing to use an alternate method.

By the way, paste links do work, you just have to know what you can do
with them and what you can't do. Unfortunately using them requires a
level of experience and discipline that most users simply don't have.

John
Project MVP

 

[Stephane]

Hello,
side question on the insert project function.
in msp 2007 it automatically links the 2 projects.
Is there a way to insert a project without automatic link between the
files being created.
Thanks,
Stephan

 

[John]

Hello,
side question on the insert project function.
in msp 2007 it automatically links the 2 projects.
Is there a way to insert a project without automatic link between the 2
files being created.
Thanks,
Stephane

Stephane,
The inserted projects are not linked to each other unless there were
already external predecessor/successor links between tasks in those
projects.

In all versions of Project when a master project is created, (i.e.
Insert/Project), the inserted subprojects are linked via a pointer to
the master. This is a dynamic master. However, the user can also uncheck
the "link" option in the lower right corner of the Insert window to
create a static master. In a static master, a new project is created by
essentially copying the entire contents of each subproject into a new
project. Once created a static master no longer has any relationship
(e.g. links) to the original subprojects that make it up.

Does this answer your question? If not, please elaborate in more detail.

John
Project MVP

 

[Stephane]

Thanks John for your reply.
It is exactly what I want to do: create a static master.
Is there another place thant the insert project window where I ca
uncheck the link option (e.g. general options)?
The reason being that all our files are managed by a doc contro
software (hummingbird), and the insert window I get is not the one fro
MSP, but from Hummingbird.
Thanks for your help,
Stephan

 

[Rob Schneider]

I'm puzzled. Have you changed the Project Insert Project dialogue box
with something from Hummingbird? Or do you use Hummingbird independent
to open files?

I am not familiar with Hummingbird. What I'd look for is a way to "map"
a Hummingbird document folder (or whatever nomenclature they use) to a
Windows system drive letter, e.g. k: is pointing to
\\server\hummingbird\repository\project ... or something. Then in
Project using Project's Menu: Insert/Project dialog box point to that
location. That way you will see the right dialog box.

If you can't Hummingbird to present it's data to you in this way to
enable Project to get it, then you can copy the files out of Hummingbird
to a local location, e.g. your My Documents folder or subfolder, and
then use those files in Project.


--rms

www.rmschneider.com