Create MS Project template including custom fields

Question

Good morning,

I created a table in MS Project that shows three custom fields.

When I save the project file as an Excel workbook (I choose Project template), the custom fields do not appear. I would also like to include the column Work and Resource availability to have MS Project calculate the duration of each task.

How can I export the table with all the fields as an MS Project Excel template in order to be able to import the data into Excel and map the data to the fields in the MS Project table.

Or,

Is it possible to edit a standard Excel project template, add fields such as Work, Resource availability, and my custom fields and map them to the created MS Project table?

Thanks you for your help in advance in solving this matter.

Ron Bouma

Answer 1

Ron,

Pardon my jumping in. As far as automating the process with VBA here are a couple of options. One, you could record a macro using the import maps you created. Two, I have a few different macros that export various types of Project data, (static and timescaled), to Excel. If interested you can contact me at the address below. I will ask some questions.

John

jmacprojataticlouddotdotcom

(remove obvious redundancies)

Answer 2

Thanks Dale for your quick reply.

I already thought so. I’m sure I will manage. is any VBA example source code available to create an automated import routine for MSP? I would like to choose from two options, import as a new project or add to an existing project. I am familiar with VBA coding in Word and Excel.

Ron

Answer 3

Ron --

When you do the import, you will need to select both Tasks and Resources on one of the early screens in the Import Wizard. And then you should select the Entry table for resources when creating your map. The resource availability or FTE would be defined by the information in the Max. Units column. Hope this helps.

Answer 4

Thank you Dale,

This is clear so far. I tried it and it works.

Is there also a way of importing the resource availability (FTE)? I am eager to have MSP calculate the Duration. I intend to import the hours Work and divide that by the FTE of the resource.

Answer 5

Ron --

When you save or export a Microsoft Project as an Excel workbook, you end up using the Export Wizard to handle the process. Do not use the Project Excel Template, which only exports a specific set of data from the project. Instead, choose the Selected Data option. You will need to create a new map and then select the Tasks item. When you arrive at the Task Mapping page, click the Base on Table button and select a table that contains at least some of the columns you want to export. Then begin modifying the fields shown in the data grid on this page to exclude the columns you do not want to show and to include the columns you do want to show. When finished, be sure and save this configuration as a new Map in Microsoft Project, which you can then reuse in the future. Hope this helps.