custom field formulas

TheMSsForum.com: The Microsoft Software Forum

The MSS Forum ‹ Project
- Archive
  - Biz
  - MCSE
  - CRM
  - Drivers
  - Framework
  - ADO
  - ASP
  - Compact
  - Forms
  - Dotnet
  - C#
  - VB
  - FontpageGen
  - Excel
  - WorkSheet
  - Exchange
  - Setup
  - Fox
  - Fontpage
  - ASP
  - IIS
  - Entourage
  - Money
  - Messanger
  - PocketPC
  - Powerpoint
  - Project
  - Publisher
  - Excel
  - VB
  - Security
  - Portal
  - Services
  - SQLServerDev
  - SVCS
  - SQLServer
  - VB
  - VC
  - MFC
  - ExcelGen

- Previous
  - 1
    - Project Compare Toolbar not working I'm running Project 2003 SP2 and just recently had the Compare Project Versions utility stop working. Tried setting up two simple projects with no luck. No error messages, just no response when clicking the toolbar buttons. Anybody have this problem? Any suggestions? Thanks, Mark Tag: custom field formulas Tag: 91386
  - 2
    - MS Project Report - Next Step (posting again in case it's buried too far down the list for people to notice) Hi Again ... is there a way to take this report further? Right now this report creates a long list of incomplete tasks (see below to refresh your memory) ... is there any way to have the report sort the tasks by the headings above them. People are saying, it's great to see all the incomplete tasks, but, we need the greater headings above those tasks so we can quickly associate the task with where it sits in the timeline. Hopefully I have explained this properly. Thanks, Greg "John" <mjensen@theriver.com> wrote in message news:mjensen-1F2835.18374006102005@msnews.microsoft.com... > In article <_4i1f.6539$oa.3950@read2.cgocable.net>, > "Greggy" <greg@kelway.com> wrote: > >> I'm trying to create a report that will show anything not completed that >> has >> a completion date in the past or within the next week. >> >> Can someone point me in the right direction for how to create a report >> like >> this in MS Project 2003 Standard. >> >> Thanks much, >> Greg > > Greg, > OK, that shouldn't be too hard. You didn't mention what information you > want in the "report" but let's assume a standard Gantt Chart has what > you need. I will also assume you don't need to see Summary Lines (i.e. > you are only interested in performance tasks that are incomplete or > won't finish in the next week). > > One method is to set up a simple interactive filter as follows: > And/Or Field Name Test Value > % Complete is less than 100% > And Summary equals No > And Finish is less than "Enter date that is one week > from today"? > > If you don't want to enter the date each time, you can create a custom > field with a calculated date and then use that in the filter in place of > the interactive question. For example, put the following formula in > spare Date1 and change the "Enter date..." to [Date1]. > Date1 = [Current Date]+7 > > Hope this helps. > John > Project MVP Tag: custom field formulas Tag: 91384
  - 3
    - Compatibility between Project 2000 and 2003 A question from a Project novice! I am about to upgrade to Project Standard 2003. Will colleagues still using Project 2000 be able to open and work on my mpp files produced by Project 2003? Jim Jones Tag: custom field formulas Tag: 91380
  - 4
    - Slack Time Hello All! I asked about slack time some "time" ago. I can go to view>slack time and the times are shown in the new columns. What I am looking for is a way to graphically show that in the Gantt Chart. Is there a way for the schedule to be there, the critical path, and then a different color showing the slack in between? Thanks in advance! Bob V. Tag: custom field formulas Tag: 91374
  - 5
    - PWA isnt working in Outlook I install PWA add-in for outlook. One user not receive any assignments. It cant see "Project Web Access" tab in "options" dialog. "Microsoft Project Server Add-in" is not checked in "COM Add-ins" dialog Outlook 2003, Project 2003 SP1 Tag: custom field formulas Tag: 91368
  - 6
    - PWA isnt working in Outlook I install PWA add-in for outlook. One user not receive assignments. It cant see "Project Web Access" tab in options. Microsoft Project Server Add-in Outlook 2003, Project 2003 SP1 Tag: custom field formulas Tag: 91367
  - 7
    - [Help] Didn't install MSProject 2000 in Win2003 + Terminal Service [Help] Didn't install MSProject 2000 in Win2003 + Terminal Service I am trying to install MS Project 2000 in MS Windows 2003 Server environment. But, setup wizard window display this message "Fatal Error" "For setup MS Project in Terminal Server, refer http://www.microsoft.com/Project/PRK" So, I did refer upper URL, but didn't find anything information to install MS Project 2000. What can I do for this problem? Help me. > > MSP won't let me do this without increasing the task duration to >0, hence > no longer a true milestone and padding my schedule. Is there any way to > force materials onto 0-lengths activities? > Tag: custom field formulas Tag: 91366
  - 8
    - Help! Problem with Task Fields in Project To help with task sorting and filtering, I created Text1 and Text2 columns in my project, which I publish in MS Project Server. Now, I realize my resources cannot view this pertinent information (Text1 & Text 2 fields) about their tasks when they receive email updates or when they import their tasks into Outlook. Is there a quick way to append the Task field to include Text1 & Text2 data? Tag: custom field formulas Tag: 91359
  - 9
    - gantt chart for job shop scheduling hello, i am a beginner to this software. so right now i am working in a project in job shop scheduling. so please anyone help me that whether it is possible to draw a gantt chart for a job shop scheduling using microsoft project r not. Tag: custom field formulas Tag: 91356
  - 10
    - How can I fix Calculator Errors? When i type an equation such as: =product(D50,F50) if d50 is 1000 and f50 is .10 the answer should be 100, I can do that in my head, but when the computer does it for me the answer is 102.04. Please help me fix this. Thank You, Kat Tag: custom field formulas Tag: 91351
  - 11
    - cannot start copier due to missing file or directory I would like to copy a page but I keep getting the message "cannot start copier due to missing file or directory" when I click on the printer icon on the desktop. Printer is an Epson cx5400. Need help! Many thanks. Tag: custom field formulas Tag: 91350
  - 12
    - Connection failed SQL State 01000 SQL error 52 When i open or close an enterprise project from the Project Server I get this error. Connection failed SQLState; "01000' SQL Server Error: 52 [Microsoft] [ODBC SQL Server Driver] [DBNETLIB] ConnectionOpen (Connect()). Connection failed; SQLState: '08001' SQL Server Error: 17 [Microsoft] [ODBC SQL Server Driver] [DBNETLIB] SQL server does not exist or access denied. After the error window, a window pops up asking for the connection credentials again. After confirming them a few times, the project will open. The message text lead me to think that it was a bad connection string, probably a username or password. But I setup a System DSN using the same credentials. I have tried SQL Server authentication, an Secure Connection (NT Authentication). Neither worked, I received the same error. Tag: custom field formulas Tag: 91345
  - 13
    - Simple PM software? I'm looking for Project Management software that is VERY simple. I have Project 2000, but with all its bells & whistles it ends up being too confusing to use for the much simpler projects that I'm involved with. Mostly the problem I have with it is that I have to sift through a ton of things to find the simple things I need, and I don't use it often enough to remember those things the next time I use it. I don't need ANY of the "resources" features. The main thing that I do need is a Gantt chart creator that can deal with S-S, F-S, etc. relationships. Any recommendations? Thx Scott Kelley Tag: custom field formulas Tag: 91342
  - 14
    - Adding resource Whaen i adding the resources from the Insert tool menu--New resource--Address book in the resource sheet, but the address book is not connected in the outlook address book. What can i do to connect the address book? I am using ms project 2003 and Outlook 2000. Tag: custom field formulas Tag: 91336
  - 15
    - Changing calculation of total cost Project seems to only allow calculating a total cost based on what is entered in a fixed-cost per field task and other resource usage cost fields. I need to add two custom fixed-cost fields per task (billable capital and non-billable capital). How can I change how total cost is calculated? Tag: custom field formulas Tag: 91326
  - 16
    - Displaying timephase data for custom fields How can you display timephase data for custom fields? For example, we need to track two costs for each task: billable capital and non-billable capital. If I add two custom cost fields to capture each of these, how can show timephased data in the task usage view? Tag: custom field formulas Tag: 91325
  - 17
    - Creating a Master Project Greetings, We are using MS Project 2003 w/o server, but we do want to publish the project files to SharePoint. however, when I want to create a Master Project using the files on SharePoint I get an error message "There was a problem creating the link. You cannot create links to projects that are stored on a web server, and you cannot insert project from a web server." I don't understand the reason for this restriction, which is besides the point. But does anyone know of a way to create a Master Schedule using files that are stored in SharePoint. For example does anyone know if Project 2000 or2002 have this restriction? Thanks, --Jim Tag: custom field formulas Tag: 91324
  - 18
    - How do I block out a specific time for a status meeting each week How do I block out a specific time for a status meeting each week? Tag: custom field formulas Tag: 91322
  - 19
    - Time to Market for projects that are put on hold We have the situation where we're trying to track the TTM for projects, but the results aren't completely accurate, as sometimes projects are put on hold, and continued at a later date. This doesn't give us a very good indicator on how long the actual project took to complete. Does anyone have a way to deal with situations like this? Thanks! - James Tag: custom field formulas Tag: 91316
  - 20
    - Using built in Functions I have been trying to make the built in function "ProjDateAdd(Date,duration,calendar) work and all I get is "#error". Is there examples of these built in function being used that actually work somewhere? Tag: custom field formulas Tag: 91308
  - 21
    - Calendars and resource issues I work on a project that uses MS Project 2003 Standard and we have a developed a schedule (time only, no resources or cost) based on historical data (they have done this many times before) where they know a certain number of people will be needed on the various tasks. They want to add these resources (people) to get an idea of who and when they will be needed, as well as seeing where someone might be overallocated. All tasks are currently in the schedule as "fixed units", non effort-driven. All tasks are currently on a 6 day/8 hr work week and I've been asked to change the calendar to a 6 day/10hr day calendar. I've added the resources to a resource pool all at 100% and need to begin assigning people to tasks (although not all tasks will have a resource associated with it). Can someone provide my next steps? My thought is that I should change the current calendar through "Tools, Change Working Time" to a 6 day/10 hr day calendar and then change the base calendar on the resource sheet to the same. Since I want the durations to remain the same throughout the schedule, will making these changes to the calendars affect my current durations and dates? Also, would I need to change each task that will have a resource assignment to a "fixed duration", non effort-driven task? Any help is greatly appreciated. Tag: custom field formulas Tag: 91302
  - 22
    - Duration field calculates 1.92 days for 2 days, how do you fix? Working on scheduleing a large project. I have set up work times and calenders. Every time I enter a duration, the duration field caculates it wrong. for a 2 day task the duration comes out as 1.92, and if I change the duration to 2 days, the finish date jups one date. Tag: custom field formulas Tag: 91300
  - 23
    - Inserting Project 2003 data into MS Word I would like to create a table in an MS Word document and have the table data linked to a MS Project file. For Example, a list of a Resource's activities or a table containing task and selected information. Is this possible? Thanks, Duane Tag: custom field formulas Tag: 91289
  - 24
    - Help: Project Guru needed Hello, I would like to create a schedule in Microsoft Project for our Manufacturing company and would like some advice before doing so. I will do the automation in VBA (I know there are a newsgroup for that but that's is not my main concern here). We manufacture product. For each product, machines may varies. For each machine, I have a different pool of resource that can work on it. I mean, one person may be able to work on Machine A & B while another resource may be able to work on Machine A & C. My main concern is being able to deal with such knowledge from my people. Is there any way in Project I can deal with that? What would be the best way to define everything? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! Tag: custom field formulas Tag: 91286
  - 25
    - Global.mpt error in project When I try to open Project, I get a Global.mpt error. I have tried to reload the software and get the same thing. Any thoughts on what might be the cause? Thanks in advance for any help. Tag: custom field formulas Tag: 91284
- Next
  - 1
    - Putting costs against milestones Hi, i am trying to allocate material resources to milestones to indicate costs being incurred when items are received. MSP won't let me do this without increasing the task duration to >0, hence no longer a true milestone and padding my schedule. Is there any way to force materials onto 0-lengths activities? thanks, P. Tag: custom field formulas Tag: 91283
  - 2
    - Task hours in 'Task Usage' view I scheduled several projects, assigned resources and have a standard 8 hour day set up with 1/2 hour for lunch. 7a - 3:30p. When I switched the view to task usage, it showed all my resources listed as working 7 hours a day. I want this to reflect 8 hours in a work day. Which setting do I cahange to make this default? This is more for a billing thing, so I need to know man hours we are charging for. Thanks -- Chris M. Tag: custom field formulas Tag: 91268
  - 3
    - Calculations not making sense I am running into the usual problem I have with Project in that it works fine until I start trying to work with resources and it immediately starts doing stuff I can't explain. Problem: I have a Fixed Duration Task with 1 resource at 100% on this task. The task has a 4 hour duration, which also is the amount of work. There is a total of 7 of this resource. All my tasks are fixed duration with the assumption being made that the contractor will add additional resources if needed. I am also trying to work with the assumption that a resource will work on a task until completed. So if I assign the resource at 100% on this task the resource should be assigned at 4 hours, right? 4 hour work * 1 unit = 4h duration. Why then does my duration change to 13.7? If I change my duration back to 4 hours, Project reduces my resource time to 0 hours. I have never been able to overcome this problem with Project. It's one of the reasons many people prefer Primavera or other tools. Primavera is pricey, but I can at least explain what it's doing when it levels resources and does the calculations. Project seems to throw in a bunch of extra calculations but doesn't explain what they are. Tag: custom field formulas Tag: 91262
  - 4
    - Project Crashes- Anyone else? Hello, If I: Open project file (with tasks and resources) Go to Resource Sheet View Double-click a resource Choose Working Time tab Click on Details button MS project (2003 SP1) crashes. Is this fixed with Service pack 2? I couldn't see it in the list of fixes. Anyone else have this problem. It seems to be repeatable on my PC and a colleagues with any existing or new project file. Tag: custom field formulas Tag: 91259
  - 5
    - Can I use microsoft Project (Standard) on a mac? Tag: custom field formulas Tag: 91254
  - 6
    - remaining work, estimates to completion. Hi all, I would like to report the remaining work of our resources. Like the report for resource usage, I also want to know what work is still ahead of us (or work not finished in the past). I didn't find a predefined report for that. Is there a way to make a report for that like the resource usage? I am not the expert to programm a report. I have tried if it is possible by creating new filters but it did not work. It would probably need an expert to do that. Kind regards, -- Arno Tag: custom field formulas Tag: 91251
  - 7
    - Problem with resource usage durations I am very stuck when inserting durations of tasks for resources on MS Project 2003. First of all all resources calender are the same with 7.30 hours of work time per day. However on the resource usage in the 'timephased' part of 'work' it states 7.5hrs. I don't understand why this is? Secondly, when I assign a resource to a task say 3 days, in theory it should be mon, tues and weds. However it goes onto Thursday aswell with 2.9hrs. I don't understand why project is doing that. Really frustrating because I don't want that to happen. Any thoughts to why this is and how to resolve it? Tag: custom field formulas Tag: 91249
  - 8
    - Subprojects indenting Project 2003 pro I created a master project and then inserted projects into it as subprojects. Each additional inserted project indents in the Task Name column progressively further to the right, causing widening of the Task Name column. Outdent does not work. Project summary task was visible on each inserted project prior. How can I prevent this indenting? Nick Tag: custom field formulas Tag: 91245
  - 9
    - Microsoft Project Report Question ... I'm trying to create a report that will show anything not completed that has a completion date in the past or within the next week. Can someone point me in the right direction for how to create a report like this in MS Project 2003 Standard. Thanks much, Greg Tag: custom field formulas Tag: 91238
  - 10
    - How do I import AND export to Access from Project? I'm new to this application. I need to link my dates (start and finish) and costs to Access. What's is the most efficent way to do this? I want the data linked because the report that is distributed is in Access and will be distributed on a weekly basis. Can anyone help? Thanks! Tag: custom field formulas Tag: 91235
  - 11
    - Calculate work complete to-date & stoplight chart I am trying to calculate whether or not the project is on schedule and within +/- 10% of where it is supposed to be on a certain date. Then I would like to take that data and create a stoplight chart view for the major subtasks. I know how to use graphics with a value but am stuck on the calculation. Anyone? mml Tag: custom field formulas Tag: 91234
  - 12
    - I'm using WBS predecessors but project won't let me type them. Earlier in the life of this MS 2000 Project Plan I could type wbs predecessors in the wbs predecessor field but now nothing can be entered in the field either through typing or cut and paste. When I use the regular predecessor field it then updates the predecessor but it won't let me enter directly. Tag: custom field formulas Tag: 91233
  - 13
    - Conditional Predecessors Hey! Hoping for some guidance. In Project, I have three WBS deliverables, all of which are being worked on by the same resource at the same time. When any one of these is finished, I want the resource to begin working on WBS deliverable #4. So, the predecessor of 4 is 1, 2 and 3, but the start date of #4 should vary, depending on which is finished first: 1, 2 or 3. In Excel, it'd be easy. I'd just say something like START-4 = MIN(FINISH-1, FINISH-2, FINISH-3). Hopefully, I've explained that clearly. Thanks! Tag: custom field formulas Tag: 91228
  - 14
    - Best practice when working with multiple projects Hi All, I wonder if there is a fool-proof way to handle multiple projects (with a responsible person for each file) in a consolidated file? Or to put it the other way around: do you have any tips of what NOT to do, or things to be on alert for? All suggestions are most welcome! Cheers Lars Tag: custom field formulas Tag: 91220
  - 15
    - Is there a size limit for a .gif file in Project? In Project 2003, I am trying to copy a picture of my project, which is 1004 kb, into a .gif file, but am not having any success. After selecting the rows and entering the date range, a window will pop up that tells me the picture I have selected "is too large to save into GIF" and I am given several options to choose from, two of which are grayed out. For the options, the default selected is "scale the picture to 100 in. in height" and "lock aspect ratio." When I click "ok", another window pops up with the following information, verbatim: Project is unable to create M:\Common\Program Control\PEGEM\Documentation Control (CM)\PEGEM Controlled Documentation\Schedules\Developer Schedules (Project)\PEGEM 2005 Development Schedule 051005.gif The graphics conversion filter encountered an error. Try one of the following: - Reduce date range of the selection - Check that the path to the file is correct - Check network connections - Free up available memory by closing project, programs or window you aren't using - Free up some disk space on your computer I have checked the path and network connections, closed everything I'm not using and have plenty of disk space on my computer. I did not reduce the date range because I have been successful in copying this identical project in the past, with the same date range, which was 2402 kb, over twice the size of the file which I am trying to copy now. As a test, I tried to copy this 2402 kb file again and but have been unsuccessful with it as well. This is the first time I have encountered this problem. I have been copying this same file into a .gif file since March and have always been successful until now. Any suggestions? Tag: custom field formulas Tag: 91215
  - 16
    - Dumbing down MS Project Our office uses MS Project solely for the preparation of presentation GANTT Charts. That is, once the chart is created, printed out and presented in one form another it is never refered to in its electronic form again. When our PM's are putting together a schedule they come up with a list of tasks, they identify the days they want each task to start and end on, and that's it. If they feel a particular task should have a duration, they will refer to a calendar or daytimer to figure out for themselves when the end date should be. Is it possible to modify the default settings for MS Project (2002) so that as I add or modify tasks that I only need enter the start and end dates. Right now, if I have any task linking going on, I run into situations where I can't get the end date I desire without playing with a duration value. Gets really annoying. Comments? Suggestions? Tag: custom field formulas Tag: 91206
  - 17
    - Export Project Plan from PWA to image or excel I am using Project Server 2003, Project Professional 2003 and Project Web Access. I have a project plan with many different graphical indicators on the Gantt chart view. I also have custom views with similar graphical indicators. Let's say I'm viewing a plan from Project Web Access and I have selected a particular view (which contains graphical indicators). When I export to excel, it exports the graphical indicators as numeric values rather than pictures. My question is - Can I export a selected view, from PWA, to either Excel or as an image file, which will retain the graphics? I know that using Project Professional, I can do it in a round-about way, by clicking the camera tool first, and then saving as web page. Tag: custom field formulas Tag: 91201
  - 18
    - Annual Rental Charges I want to include the annual rental of an item, such that the annual lump sum rental is shown on a discrete date each year in the cost reports eg: a line item task called, say, Rental, lasting many years, with annual payments made on, say 1st Jan each year. Is this possible? Assistance much appreciated. Tag: custom field formulas Tag: 91200
  - 19
    - How do I get cells in Excel to link to cells in MSP? I exported an MSP project into Excel. I am trying to get certain cells in Excel to link back to MSP. I used the Paste Special command, but the copied cells show up in the Gantt Chart instead of the corresponding cells. How do I get them to go into the cells where I pasted them? Tag: custom field formulas Tag: 91199
  - 20
    - Sorting Resource Names in Task Views I assume this is just a bug, but is there a way to sort the resource names in the pull-down menus when you are assigning a resource to a task? I know how to sort in the Resource Sheet view and that the Assign Resources dialog-box sorts correctly, but I often like to make my assignments via a split window (showing the Gantt Chart and Task Form, for example) and making my assignments there; in this instance, the resources in the pull-down menu are sorted by ID, rather than by name. Any suggestions? Tag: custom field formulas Tag: 91198
  - 21
    - Description details for custom text fields I have created a number of custom text fields in my project schedule for values lists. Some of them are numbers that to anyone outside the project team would have not value. Is there a way to extract the value and the description to be included in "some" view? Michelle Tag: custom field formulas Tag: 91197
  - 22
    - How do I get copied cells in Excel into MSP cell instead of the Ga I exported MSP into Excel. I am trying to copy cells in Excel to link to ones in MSP. When I use the Paste Special it puts the cells in the Gantt Chart secion instead of the cells I paste them to? How do I get the cells in Excel to link to the corresponding ones in MSP? Tag: custom field formulas Tag: 91196
  - 23
    - Typing Total Cost manually Hi, In Total Cost column in MS Project 2003, I type the cost of the project/task manually. I then assign a resource to that task/project and the cost changes to something higher or lower at times. I then have to retype the cost again. Is there a way to stop it from changing? I just need to type in the cost of the projects manually disregarding resource costs/fixed costs etc. Please let me know how to do it if there is a way. Thank you for all the help ppl. Tag: custom field formulas Tag: 91195
  - 24
    - Milestones & Fixed Work Hi Got a problem that I need some help with: I have got a task (type = Fixed work) with a resouce assigned to it with work=0 (milestone). If I change the duration of the task the work and cost of the task will also change. Is it possible to avoid this? If I have another "work rescourse" with work >0 assigned to the same task it works ok. Regards Sven Tag: custom field formulas Tag: 91194
  - 25
    - How do I change the incorrect, overall, Project finished date? How do I change the incorrect, overall, Project finished date? I need finished date to be 11/23/05...not 12/01/05, but iit is grayed out. Thanks, Geonixon4 Tag: custom field formulas Tag: 91191

I have several custom fields that have formulas that are complex enough so
that they are hard maintain. It would seem that they would be more efficient
in VBA. Instead of using the custom formula is there a way to do the same
thing in VBA. Is there some specific reference material to help me?

Re: custom field formulas by Mike

Mike
Mon Oct 10 11:37:52 CDT 2005

Hi Jim,

Try posting on the developer newsgroup. Please see FAQ Item: 24. Project
Newsgroups. FAQs, companion products and other useful Project information
can be seen at this web address: http://project.mvps.org/faqs.htm

Mike Glen
Project MVP

JimS wrote:
> I have several custom fields that have formulas that are complex
> enough so that they are hard maintain. It would seem that they would
> be more efficient in VBA. Instead of using the custom formula is
> there a way to do the same thing in VBA. Is there some specific
> reference material to help me?

Re: custom field formulas by JackD

JackD
Mon Oct 10 11:46:47 CDT 2005

Custom fields have some advantages and disadvantages. It is possible to do
every calculation which is possible in a custom field by using VBA, but you
lose the advantage of automatic recalculation.

See my article on Custom formulas here:

http://zo-d.com/blog/archives/programming/working-with-custom-field-formulas.html
Then poke around the site for more VBA articles and links.

If you post the formula here (or in the developer group) perhaps someone
will be kind enough to convert it to a macro for you.

--
-Jack ... For Microsoft Project information and macro examples visit
http://masamiki.com/project
or http://zo-d.com/blog/index.html
.
"JimS" <JimS@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:E5163E97-E43B-4FD3-82CA-180CA010A611@microsoft.com...
> I have several custom fields that have formulas that are complex enough so
> that they are hard maintain. It would seem that they would be more
efficient
> in VBA. Instead of using the custom formula is there a way to do the same
> thing in VBA. Is there some specific reference material to help me?