What does "Paste Special" do?

[Wharton Computer Consulting]

When I "COPY TASK" and then do a "PASTE SPECIAL" , I am prompted to paste as
"Project Data", "Picture" and "Text Data".

What is the difference between "Project Data" and "Text Data"?

 

[Jim Aksel]

I am assuming you are doing it within Project and not using Paste in another
application.

The difference is subtle, all I can see on this end is that when you paste
as Text data you create a Start No Earlier Than (SNET) constraint on the
Start date.... as if you had typed it. If you paste as Project Data you do
not create such a constraint... you'll need to try it with different fields
to see if there is anything else of significance. Generally, you will want
to paste as Project Data.

There is another scenario... if you copy a date (say a Start Date) and then
paste special that date to another date column, you are prompted if you want
to paste as text or a link. You can read about linking in the help ....
essentially that is how you create Hammock tasks but I don't want to get off
topic.
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Jim Aksel, MVP

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

 

[Wharton Computer Consulting]

Hello Jim,
Thanks for your time at looking at this. That was the behavior I saw too,
but I am curious as to why we have it, when you would use it and how other
fields behind the scene are getting filled. It just seems odd that one is
called "Project Data" and the other "Text Data".

 

[Jack Dahlgren]

If you are familiar with Paste Special in excel, the text option is more like
pasting the values rather than the cells. No formatting, no formulas etc.,
just the data that is in the cells. Project is a bit different in how it
works, but the concept is the same.

-Jack Dahlgren

 

[Wharton Computer Consulting]

Hello Jack,

Thanks for your time too. I think that is where the main difference is.
When I paste special the "Project Text", it maintains any formatting, whereas
when I paste the "Data Text", it loses all the formatting.

I tested this out by formatting the text in RED and pasting of "Project
Text", maintained the color.

Thanks again, you solved this small mystery for me.