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Automatic update of master project

Anonymous
2011-10-10T20:43:29+00:00

I notice that I have to click on each subproject to get it to automatically update in my master project.  This makes the master project concept useless.  How do I get master projects to automatically update so I can merely open the master project and see all of the updated end dates of my sub projects?  I am using PRoject 2007

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  1. John Project 49,700 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2011-10-12T02:26:17+00:00

    bandaches,

    You're welcome and thanks for the feedback.

    Now I'm going to get on Rod's horse. One of the things you should NOT do in a linked file structure is to move files around. That can sow the seed for corruption as those fragile DDE type links he was talking about get "confused".

    Good luck with your project.

    John

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  1. John Project 49,700 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2011-10-11T01:47:29+00:00

    bandaches,

    When you open a collapsed master project none of the subprojects are opened, even in the background, so the master doesn't "know" that changes to the subproject may have been made. However, once you expand a subproject, it is then opened in the background and the master is then able to update that subproject's summary line as necessary.

    Personally I don't see that as a big deal. You could open each subproject in the foreground and then open the collapsed master. Because each subproject is already opened the collapsed master will show all changes but in my mind that is a bigger hassle then simply expanding the master.

    Probably not the answer you wanted to hear, but that's the way it works.

    John

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  1. John Project 49,700 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2011-10-11T15:45:10+00:00

    bandaches,

    I don't quite ride the same hobby horse as Rod. I had excellent success with a rather complex master on a WAN with no corruption for several years. But, then the key is extreme file discipline and that's a tough one for most users.

    To answer your question, should you decide to stick with your existing structure, is to select the Task Name field in the master, (or any other field column that selects all task rows), and then go to View/Data group/Outline icon/Show subtasks..

    The VBA code version of the above is:

    Sub expand()

    OutlineShowTasks expandinsertedprojects:=True

    End Sub

    Hope this helps.

    John

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  2. Anonymous
    2011-10-11T07:34:13+00:00

    This is one of my hobby horses. I recommend never using link masters or resource pools. They use old DDE technology and if you ever over-write any of the files, rename them or move one you role teh file corruption dice. It's when not if. 5 days or 5 years. If you're on a WAN that's even 0.5% dodgy teh corruption dice are rolled 5 or more times.

    Instead I use a recorded macro to create a new master each week using insert project with Link option DESELECTED. This copies all data (no links) and consolidates all resources and creates a weekly snapshot.

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  3. Anonymous
    2011-10-11T03:04:57+00:00

    Thanks!  The reason this is a big deal is that I want to track the 10-15 projects are taking place in my area.  I want to be able to quickly see the most recent go live dates for each by simply going into my master plan.  Having to expand each subproject one at a time is a pain.  Is there a way to open them all quickly?

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