MS Project 2016 - CSV data import limits Notes field to 256 chars

Question

When importing data into MS Project 2016 from a CSV or tab delimited text file, all imported fields are limited to 256 characters in length, including the Notes fields, which doesn't have a character count limit. When importing data from an XML file into the Notes field, the field length isn't restricted and much, much more data can be imported into it.

This bug was first reported in Project 2010, almost 6 years ago, but it seems that it was never fixed. Apart from writing a custom macro to work around the bug, is there another solution?

Answer 1

sunny ape,

No, that was a different issue reported in your referenced link and as far as I know, it was fixed. What you are seeing with the CSV or tab delimited text import is simply a limitation in the way text strings are handled and I know of no plan to change the implementation.

So it is not a bug and as I noted in my response to your other post, if you want to consistently export/import the Notes field, you need to use VBA. Or, if the XML format does not have the 255 character limitation, (I've never tried it), that's another option.

John

Answer 2

sunny ape,

You're welcome and thanks for the feedback.

John

Answer 3

Thanks Juan, but I assume the limitation has been known by MSoft for some time. If they really wanted to fix it, they would have done so by now.

Answer 4

Thanks John. Looks like writing a macro is going to be my solution, as I can't really get the data from the source in XML format without extensive re-development work... CSV is the default format

It's a shame the limitation exists, but it does and that's all that really matters

Answer 5

Hello sunny,

My name is Juan Pedro, I am an Independent Advisor and consumer of Microsoft products. I will be more than happy to assist you today!

I am so sorry to be the person bringing the bad news today, unfortunately, the only solution available right this second is to write a custom macro.

Microsoft is always looking to hear feedback from their users, you could provide feedback using the following link: https://support.office.com/en-us/article/how-do...

I hope this helped. I will be around in case you need something else.

Thank you.