Unique ID

[Jaaret]

I am saving a Project file to Excel and linking the data into Access. I
thought I could use the Unique_ID field in Project as a unique
identifier for each Project task but the Unique_ID appears to re-index
and change from time to time. Is there a task field in Project that is
truly static?

Jaaret

 

[John]

I am saving a Project file to Excel and linking the data into Access. I
thought I could use the Unique_ID field in Project as a unique
identifier for each Project task but the Unique_ID appears to re-index
and change from time to time. Is there a task field in Project that is
truly static?

Jaaret

Jaaret,
What version of Project are you using? As far as I know the only action
that causes the Unique ID to change is when a user re-creates an
existing file by inserting it into a new blank file. It is one of the
methods that can be used to clear corruption but not something that
would or should be done routinely.

Is there anything else you have been doing with the Project file? Unless
there is a bug I'm not aware of, the Unique ID field is "truly static".

John
Project MVP

 

[Jim Aksel]

The Unique ID remains static in the subproject files. The only item I find
is when a subproject is inserted into a master project the display of the UID
in the master project file does shift in accordance with a formula that
depends on the original UID and the order of insertion into the master
project.

Keep in mind that every subproject file ends up having the same set of UIDs
....1, 2, 3.... So, you need to tie that UID to something that truly matches
to the exact file.

If you use a formula in a spare text field such as Text1=[Unique ID] then
that value will display constant in a master file. So, the trick is to get
the file name in there someplace... We usually use something like SE for
Systems Engineering file, IT for Integration and Test. So, in The Systems
Engineering File: Text1="SE" + [Unique ID] and in the Test file Text1="IT" +
[Unique ID]

Does that help?
--
If this post was helpful, please consider rating it.

Jim Aksel, MVP

Check out my blog for more information:
http://www.msprojectblog.com

 

[Jaaret]

Thanks for the input. I am using Project 2007. The file is posted to a
SharePoint site and several people edit the file.

As far as I know, this is a singular project file. The main owner of
the file has done a Save As a couple of times when other users have made
edits outside of the SharePoint environment.

Here are three tasks and their unique ID's. The first set is from
12/10, the second from 12/18. Would Save As cause the Unique ID's to
re-index?

647 New Hire/Industry Requirements gathering process
648 WW Segment Lead input into requirements gathering process
649 Area QBR Feedback input into Requirements gathering process

911 New Hire/Industry Requirements gathering process
912 WW Segment Lead input into requirements gathering process
913 Area QBR Feedback input into Requirements gathering process


Jaaret