Refreshing Calculated Fields

[Jason]

I am looking for the best way to resfersh the values in Calculated fields. I
am currently using three calculated fields in my plan, with the third of the
three using the results of the other two in it. The problem though is that
when I update the base data the first two fields are based upon and hit
Enter, only the first two fileds are updated. The third field does not
update until I update the next field on the next task.

Is there a refresh feature? Is there another way to do this?

Thansk
Jason

 

[JulieS]

Hello Jason,

To force a recalculation, press F9 on your keyboard.

I hope this helps.

Julie

 

[Jason]

JulieS,

Yes that works. Is there any other way to do that automatically?

Thanks
Jason

 

[Jack Dahlgren]

Jason,

There is no other way than hitting the F9 key. I'd consider rewriting your
third function so that it can be calculated without using the other two
fields it is based on.

For a very simple example:
The formula for Field 3 as you have it:
Field 1 = a + b
Field 2 = c + d
Field 3 = Field 1 + Field 2

The formula for Field 3 as it should be:
Field 1 = a + b
Field 2 = c + d
Field 3 = a + b + c + d

That is the best way of ensuring you do not have this problem in the future

-Jack Dahlgren
http://zo-d.com/blog

 

[JulieS]

Hi Jason,

I assume as two of the three fields are calculating that your calculation is
set to automatic (Tools > Options, Calculation tab.) It sounds as if you
really have 2 calculations, first field 1 and 2 and then field three. You
don't give a great deal of information in your post, so I'm afraid that's all
I can suggest. What are the 3 fields you are trying to calculate?

Julie

 

[Jason]

Jack,

Thanks for the tip. I was going down that road today and got stuck, but
maybe you can help there. Here is what I am trying to do (and I already know
the initial response is that PROJECT IS NOT AN ACCOUNTING SYSTEM... but it is
a forecasting system)

I am trying to predict revenue at the task level in a percent complete model
based upon the task level cost and the overall project margin so I can show
it over time.

To do this I have a project level field for Total Project Revenue (This is
actually a calculated field based upon some task level info, but could be
hard coded if need be), this is formula 1.

I then calculated the Project margin % using the Total Project Rev and the
Project cost, this is formula 2.

I then have a task level field, formula 3, with a formula in it the applies
my Project Margin % to the task cost and I have Task Level Revenue that I can
show over time as a financial forecast.

I could imbed F1 and F2 into F3 if there is a way to reference project level
totals in a task level formula. I tried Sum[cost] and got an error.

As an fyi, I am in MSP 2007 and Server 2007.

Thanks
Jason