Renumber with custom outline code

[gcimmarrusti]

I have a created a custom outline code (outline code 1) and also a custom
grouping so that I can display my schedule by the custom outline code. I
would like to permanently renumber and restructure my schedule in this new
format. How do I do so?

When I try to sort the data, I can not renumber it unless I keep the outline
structure, however, it is the outline structure that I want to change. I
have noticed that when I use the custom grouping, those summary tasks do not
contain a line number task ID or unique ID.

 

[Jim Aksel [MVP]]

Hello - I confered with our peer group of MVPs, namely Rod Gill, Julie
Sheets, and Jan DeMessemaeker. Between the four of us, this solution seems
to work. However, I have not tested it thoroughly.

1. Store the existing task ID numbers in a spare number column (Number 1)
2. Store your Outline Level (not the outline code) in another spare column
(Number 2).
In effect you have now memorized your old schedule structure so you can
resort it later if you need to.
3. Apply your custom groupning

Two solutions:
VBA Coding. Loop through all the tasks. In each instance, write an integer
to a third field (Number 3). What you should see (and we did not test it),
is the Number 3 column with your newly desired sort order. You can then
sort on the Number 3 field and renumber. What you need to confirm is if the
task looping in VBA is "as presented" or is it in some other order such as
Unique ID.

Here's another approach.
Apply steps 1,2 and 3 above. Promote every task to outline level 1. Add a
spare Number field like Number 4. Manually key the new numbering 1,2,3,4...
in the Numbe4 column. Now sort and renumber on your "Number 4" column.

Hint: Always keep a safe copy of your original .mpp file becuase these
changes will permanently change your file and it would not be recoverable.

Great question! Never let the software win.

Jim Aksel, PMP, MVP