Project saved as database vs a XML file

[glenn]

Hi,

I need to access data in MS Project to apply it to a web application that
displays Project information on the internet. I can access data from either
a MS Access database or from a XML file. I could use MS Project Server but I
am doing very specialized stuff and am therefore attempting to not go that
route.

I have saved a project as an Access Database. If I open the database file
in Access, I do not see the value for the item. On the other hand, if I save
the file as a XML file and then open the XML file, I do see the custom cost
field.

I do not need to use XML, despite its many advantages, and would prefer to
just access a database file directly.

Can anyone tell me why my custom fields are not showing up in a MS Access
file?

Thanks for your help...

 

[Rod Gill]

Have you reviewed and totally absorbed the pjdb.htm file installed in one of
Project's program folders? It tells you where all data in database format is
stored and how to read it.

 

[glenn]

Rod,

You have answered my call for help twice today which is even more impressive
being that it is New Years Day. Happy New Year...

I have reviewed the Microsoft 2002 Database Description HTM file and I do
not see anything in there for custom cost fields that will point me to where
my custom cost data is in my database file.

Also, I have saved my project as a Project Database file. Not sure what the
difference is between a Project database file (mpd) and an Access database
file saved from Project as a (mdb) file. Regardless, I saved the mpd file
and then opened it within Access and to my surprise, I found all the same
tables as when I saved the file as an Access mdb file from Project.
Unfortunately, I still was unable to find my custom cost fields in this file.

The fields are Cost1 - Materials, Cost2 - Labor, Cost3 - Equipment, Cost4 -
Subtotal

Thanks for any addtional tips or insight you may provide in advance...

 

[Rod Gill]

Hi,

Look in the MSP_Numbers table. Get the correct code for Cost1, Cost2 etc
from MSP_Conversions. The pjdb.htm file needs a lot of careful reading: all
the information is there, it just needs to be found!

 

[glenn]

Ok. Yes, I now see the data and how the NUM_FIELD_ID in MSP_CONVERSIONS ties
to the custom field. Wild stuff, that's for sure.

You're awesome. Hope I can send a tip your way some day. Thanks...

 

[glenn]

Sorry folks. I hate to be a ball and chain but there is still one thing I am
missing.

I need to tie a specific task to a specific custom cost field through a MS
Access database saved from within MS Project. If I open Access to view the
file, I look in the following tables: MSP_CONVERSIONS, MSP_NUMBER_FIELDS and
MSP_TASKS.

I cannot tell how to associate a specific task with a specific custom cost
field.

Thanks for any help on this...

 

[glenn]

Sorry once again. It seems that I have found the answer on my own.

To associate a task with a custom cost through an Access database you need to
associate the TASK_UID in the MSP_TASKS table with the NUMBER_REF_UID in the
MSP_NUMBER_FIELDS.

thanks anyway