Merge import inconsistant

[BudOlly]

Hi, I have a rather frustrating thing happening when I import an ascii
delimited file into Project. The data in the file is organized like this:

"Task name1"|20.00
"Task name2"|15.00
....

This is a task update, and the dollar amount in the second field needs to be
mapped to the "Cost1" field in Project.
I can create the field map, set the merge key and Project seems to find and
match up the fields correctly on the little preview window, but when I
actually finalize it and the data is loaded into Project, instead of it
mapping the "Task name1" of the ascii file to the matching task name in
Project, it simply loads in the data starting with the top line and working
its way down until it has read the entire ascii file, overwriting the
existing task names, even if they are summary task.

The kicker is that if I change the task furthest down on the list so that it
becomes a milestone, or if I just added the task line to the project, the
import operates as expected; finding all the matching field names, and
filling in the corresponding value into the 'Cost1' field.

Any ideas as to what might be going on here? Do you need more details?

 

[JulieS]

Hi BudOlly,

What are you using as the merge key? Consider exporting the Task
UniqueID and using that as the merge key to match the imported data
with the project 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

 

[BudOlly]

I'm using the "Task Name" as the merge key. I'm not sure I understand how
I'd be able to use the UID as the merge key when I'm doing the import. The
ASCII file to import would need to have the UID's associated with each row
wouldn't it?

 

[JulieS]

Hi,

My suggestion is to first export the data from Project to capture
the Task UID. Then use those Task UIDs as the merge key.

I also suggest ensuring you have the latest service pack installed
to project or atleast SP-1 for 2007. There have been reports of
issues with importing excel files in un-service packed
installations. They may also extend to ASCII files.

Julie