Problem with creating a master project from subprojects!!

[matt]

hello,

we've managed to insert a couple of subprojects into our
master project but the numbering of each task (i.e. it's
ID number) has gone wrong - it doesn't seem to run in
sequence and even duplicats the same ID in some cases.
For example, I now have two tasks with the ID of 1.

Can anyone help as this is really starting to do our heads
in??!!

 

[John]

Matt,
Do not touch the dial - nothing is wrong with your set - Microsoft is
controlling transmission. Actually, that's the way a dynamically
consolidated master project (linked, inserted subprojects) works. When
you insert (link) subprojects into a master all Project really does is
create a file of pointers to the subprojects. In other words, with
linked subprojects, it does not concatenate copies of each subproject
into the master. The master ID sequence describes tasks unique to the
master itself and "header" summary tasks of inserted subprojects.
Individual tasks of each subproject retain the ID number of their
respective subproject file. That is why you will see several ID number
"1s, 2s, etc.". If the master was a statically consolidated master (i.e.
uncheck the "link to project" box at the bottom of the Insert Project
window), then the resulting master would be a concatenated master of
each of the subprojects and the ID numbering would be sequential.
However, the data in the master would no longer be linked to the
respective data in the subprojects.

Of course there is also the Unique ID field which may look strange in a
dynamically consolidated master but at least there are no repeated
numbers.

One option you can use if you really want a sequential number list of
tasks in a dynamically consolidated master is to use a spare number
field and simply fill it with sequential numbers. It all depends on what
you want to do.

And you probably thought it was safe to go in the water.

John

 

[matt]

Hi John,

Thanks for the reply mate although not sure I like the
answer - typical!!! Appreciate your help though and sure
I'm going to be spending far more time on her annoying
everyone!! )

I really want to keep the dynamic link between the two but
at the same time if the master is to work as it should
then I need to generate links (in the master) between
tasks that are from different subprojects and obviously it
won't let me do this because it will only let you link to
tasks within the same subtask.

Is there any way of linking tasks besides using the ID??
E.G. could you create a new column and get the
Predecessors/successors to link via that column rather
than defaulting to the ID column??

Any help would be much appreciated.

Matt

 

[Sarah]

Matt,

I really want to keep the dynamic link between the two but
at the same time if the master is to work as it should
then I need to generate links (in the master) between
tasks that are from different subprojects and obviously it
won't let me do this because it will only let you link to
tasks within the same subtask.

I'm not sure how it works in Master/Subordinate projects, but you can
create cross-project links. If you still have the individual project
files (which you should) you can open both of the files that you want
to link, click Window>New Window, select both projects, and click OK.
This will open a new window with your two projects. Select the tasks
you want, and click Link. Then close the window, do not save, and it
will prompt you to save changes in the two project plan. Save those,
and your two plans are linked. These links should then be reflected in
the Master project, I believe

Sarah

 

[John]

Matt,
First, Project does allow links between subproject tasks in a master
file. For example, you can have a link between task 3 in subproject 1
and task 5 of the master and you can have a link between task 6 of
subproject 2 and task 4 of subproject 3. There is no need to create a
separate field for external predecessors/successors because the links
between subprojects will show up in the Predecessor/Successor field with
the file path (including the subproject ID).

There are several ways to make external links. One was suggested by
Sarah in the response to your most recent post. You can do a similar
link directly at the master level. You can find out more about making
external links in the help file under "external dependencies".

John

 

[matt]

thanks Sarah and John - you two are great!! )

Think I've finally sussed it now so am pretty chuffed with
myself!!! ) Have another question now but will put on
another post!!

Thanks again for the help - is soooooooooooooooooooooooo
appreciated!!

 

[John]

Matt,
Glad we could help. This is just a nit, but I think there is one extra
"o" in the "sooooooo . . . " However, as I say its really just a nit

John