.mpp file

[omar]

Hi,
I would like to know if MS Project pro can automatically change an .mpp
file to excel file format. Now, I know that you can do this manually from PAW
(Project Web Access) but I was wondering if you can do this automatically
from the Project Server.

 

[dwolf]

omar,

The simple answer is YES. Use the File => Save As and then select
Microsoft Excel Workbook (*.xls) under Save as Type at the bottom of
the Save As dialog box. You will need to define what parts of the .mpp
file you wish to save, or you can save using the Excel Template which
gives you 4 worksheets - Tasks, Resources and Assignments, plus a last
sheet that contains only the key telling Project that this was
originally from an .mpp file.

Good luck with your project.

--dwolf

 

[omar]

dwolf,
Thank you for the reply. But I wasn't quite looking for this answer.
My main goal is to automate the whole saving process. My first question would
be, do you know where is this .mpp file saved in the server?(under what
folder?)

 

[dwolf]

omar,

There is no "file" per se. The file is actually an accumulation of
fields in the SQL database linked by key fields in each table. If you
are trying to automate this I think you are going to need to dig into
the schema and use Access or the database features in Excel to get the
information. Be sure, if you choose this route to make everything READ
ONLY. The results of changing things outside of Project can be
unbelieveably debilitating. You can also, most likely create a VBA
program (or macro) to do this as well. This is advanced stuff.

--dwolf

 

[omar]

Dwolf,
Where would I get more information about this? If you know some
information, can you please help?

thank you

 

[FaisalM]

Try these

http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/en-us/odc_2003_ta/html/odc_ancProject.asp

Project 2003 database Schema
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=32102

 

[dwolf]

You can find the schema (both of them) on your hard drive if you have
Project Pro 2003 installed on your machine. If I remember correctly
they are HTML files - although one might be a Visio file as well.
There will be one for Project Pro and one for Project Web Access.
There is also an HTML file that will give you a hint as to the
definitions of the Tables and Fields with some of the restricted values
defined as well. Look under Program Files, find Project and I believe
the folder is called 1033.

IMHO, this is not a do-it-yourself job. I spent 3 years on this and
did not get anywhere near the point where I could provide the
automation you are talking about. If you can get an MS Partner
involved, you may be able to fair better than I did.

Good luck.

--dwolf