Import xls work units into MS Project

[PaulNuge]

I am Importing from xls into Project. I can get the task information (name, dates, duration etc), and I can get the resource name.
My Issue: the work units for the resource only show as 100% and I want to have various % for work unit. I have the information in xls. Just don’t how to get it populated.

[Eric B]

Method 1 :

1. You can very easily copy and paste information from XL into Project. If
   
   
2. you want the data hot linked, you have to do an Edit, Paste Special,
   
   
3. Paste Link and select "Data". In many cases, if you are copying to a
   
   
4. field that doesn't already exist in Project, you'll have to create
   
   
5. matching custom fields and probably a custom table to paste data into.

Method 2 :

1. To move your Excel data into Microsoft Project as a new plan, follow these steps:
   
   
2. From the File menu in Microsoft Project, select Open
   
   
3. Locate your Excel spreadsheet in the folder you have it saved. Be sure to select Microsoft Excel Workbook (*.xls) from the “Files of Type” drop-down menu in the Open menu
   
   
4. Highlight the file and hit the Open button
   
   
5. As soon as you select Open, the Import Wizard will open with detail that it is going to walk you through how to add the Excel spreadsheet to your project the way you want it. Select Next.
   
   
6. In the next window, keep “New Map” selected if you have never used the Import Wizard before.
   
   
7. To start a new project with your Excel data, make sure the button “As a New Project” is selected before you click next. You also have the option to add the data or merge it with an existing project plan. Click Next.
   
   
8. The next window of the wizard will ask you how you want the data to be entered into the project: as Tasks, Assignments, or Resources. You may select one or all three of the options depending on how robust your spreadsheet is. Click the best options for you and hit Next.
   
   
9. The next window will help you sort your Excel spreadsheet columns by their corresponding function in Project. If you selected “Tasks” in step 7, it will begin by helping you to organize your column data by the appropriate task properties.
   
   • Select the sheet number from the workbook at the top of the wizard and notice all your current column headers will populate in the left column of the mapping chart, “Excel Data.”
   • Look to the right of each row and see there is a corresponding field for the MS Project equivalent. This should be a drop-down menu and offer a selection of fields for you to rename/recalculate the column with. Select one.
   • You may go down the list of your Excel column names and convert their functions to Project-appropriate names until the Task columns are assigned.
   
   
   
10. When they are all assigned to your liking, select Next.
    
    
11. If you selected more; an option with stage 7, you repeat the procedure for all the columns which you described as "resources" or "Assignments"

The final window will appear in the Import Wizard and will notify you that it has all the information needed to complete you data transfer. Select “Finish” and your project should appear as you wanted it, with all the data populating from your Excel worksheet accurately!

[Dr. V]

1. Click Open Button image.
If you are connected to Microsoft Office Project Server 2003, click Open from File.

2. In the Files of type box, click the file type you want to import data from.
To import data from a SQL Server or Oracle Server format, click ODBC to connect to your data source, and then continue with step 5.

3. In the Look in box, locate the folder that contains the file you want to import, and then select the file in the file list.
If needed, you can search for the file.

4. Click Open.

5. Follow the instructions in the Import Wizard to import the data you want into the proper Microsoft Office Project 2003 fields.

• Although you can enter values in some calculated fields (calculated field: A field in which the value is determined by Project based on information in other fields. Project may recalculate the value automatically or when you specify, depending on your choice of calculation settings.), Project may recalculate these values, either automatically or when you specify.
• Project can only import XML data that can be validated against its data interchange schema.
• If you import information from another file format into an enterprise project that requires you to enter specific information for tasks, you won't be able to save the project until all required information is entered.
• Resource cost fields cannot be updated in an enterprise project. You can only import resource cost information in non-enterprise projects or for non-enterprise resources in a project.