Problem with MS Project using an Excel File (importing).

Question

Once I open a new MS Project using an Excel File (importing), the Excel data comes through without any issues as long as the Finish Date is not NULL. I seems like when the Finish Date is Null, within MS Project, the Finish field shows Null as well; however, for the ones that the Excel file includes non-null date values, MS Project is showing a 5 digit number. Below are some for the examples for clarification,

Excel Information,

Name	Start	Finish	Resource	Status
Analyze Requirements	9/12/2023		Bruce Lee	In Progress
Design	9/12/2023		TBD	In Progress
Build	9/12/2023		Chuck Norris	In Progress
Generate	9/12/2023	9/13/2023	James Borwn	Completed
Deploy	9/5/2023	9/14/2023	John Doe	Completed

MS Project Finish Column behavior showing a 5 digit number starting with 45xxx. Not sure what's going on. I made a small Excel with Blank date from scratch with only 5 rows in Excel and after importing to MS Project, it is not doing the same thing and it shows NA for NULL Finish date. Unfortunately, for the actual file with real data, it is not doing the same and because of the blank values (I think?) is it destroying the Finish dates that are not NULL and conversting them to a 5 digit number starting with 45xxx.

Start	Finish
Tue 9/12/23
Tue 9/5/23
Tue 9/5/23
Thu 8/10/23	45154 (It should be showing the actual dates and not this number)
Tue 9/5/23
Tue 9/5/23
Tue 9/5/23
Tue 9/5/23
Tue 9/12/23
Tue 9/5/23
Tue 9/5/23
Tue 9/12/23
Tue 9/5/23
Tue 9/5/23
Mon 8/14/23	45166

Answer 1

AminiHockeyUs,

Once again, what is your import process (i.e. how did you set up the map)?

You can send your "problem" file to me at the address below. While you at it, send me your Excel file also. I will ask some questions.

John

jmacprojataticlouddotdotcom

(remove obvious redundancies)

Answer 2

AminiHockeyUs,

You didn't answer my question. How exactly did you attempt the import, compared to the steps I outlined?

Also, you are about two months behind on your update for Project. The current monthly enterprise channel is: version 2309 (Build 16827.20278).

There is no way to attach your file to this thread. You can either post it to a DropBox or similar where it can be downloaded, or send it to me via e-mail. But again, having your Project file won't really help, I suspect the issue is with your import process.

John

Answer 3

What email address can I send you the trouble file? I created a different file and had no issues with Importing.

Answer 4

New map

As a New Project

It seems like it is working now but I appreciate your recommendations.

Please Close this ticket since you have provided the answer.

Answer 5

AminiHockeyUs,

There is no "ticket", it's just a post on a user forum. It looks like you set up the import map correctly but I would NOT recommend trying to import into the Status field as that is a field calculated by Project.

Anyway, thanks for the feedback.

John