Forum Discussion
Bar Styles with Rolled Up Tasks
Thanks for the file. I didn't know you could attach a zipped file. Previously if needed to see someone's file I'd ask them to send me their file via e-mail. So, I learned something new.
This issue is that none of the subtasks under the summary lines have any Flag fields set. Just setting the Rollup field to "yes" at summary level does NOT create the display you want. There has to be something to "roll up". I showed that in my first response but I guess I didn't highlight it.
I tweaked your file so it's something easier to see. I eliminated the summary level "blue house" bar style so it doesn't get in the way and then set the Flag fields. I had to toggle the "Rollup" field at each summary level from "yes" to "no" and then back to "yes" to get things "re-ordered" (I suspect your poor file is so confused that it needed a little reset). Anyway, this is what you'll have. I think it is what you want.
If that is not what you want you'll have to give me a better explanation. I know it's all real clear in you head as to what you want but I'm not in your head.
John
Hi John; thank you for your quick reply. I've attached a screenshot of the behavior I want to see. Each of these rows represents a rolled-up, recurring task, with 0 duration, where the bar style is formatted as from Task Finish to Task Finish. In actuality, because I could not get the bar styles to work as desired, I created this by formatting each symbol individually, which is quite tedious for a task that recurs monthly over many years. I've attached another screenshot in which I've included another bar style for a rolled up task with Flag 4 active. You'll notice that the blue pentagon is still shown in the last row, while the desired orange triangle is not shown.
The information regarding precedence is very helpful - I was not aware of that. However, it appears that what actually happens is that both symbols are printed, but the lowest symbol in the bar styles list is printed on top of the other symbol(s). I've attached another screenshot indicating this behavior.
The version of project is Version 2307 (Build 16626.20170 Click-to-Run). The product is Microsoft project Standard 2016.
Thanks
Sorry but I don't see any difference between "desired appearance" and "actual appearance" with respect to what I assume are the three summary levels.
What exactly are the summary lines at the top? It would help to see the hierarchy along with the Flag fields and the Gantt display.
Yes, you are correct about the overwriting. That's why you need to be careful in setting up bar styles.
John
The desired appearance, shown in the first 3 rows, has been achieved manually. The fourth line of the image entitled "Bar Styles - Actual Appearance" shows you how the software is actually behaving. Notice that there is a style called "M Comments2", for which the "Show for... Tasks" field is populated with "Rolled Up,Flag4." In that row, the task is rolled up, and Flag 4 is active. Therefore, the orange triangle should be showing. Instead, the blue pentagon is showing.
I will try to be more specific in these images: the first image, "Bar Styles - Desired vs Actual" shows, in the first three rows, the behavior I would like to see. I have formatted each and every one of these symbols individually in order to achieve this appearance. The next three rows show the actual behavior of the software when the bar styles are formatted in the fashion that I believe should achieve the appearance you see in the first 3 lines. But of course, the first style, "Rolled Up", seems to supersede all other styles.
The next image, "Bar Styles - All Symbols Disappear" shows what happens when I remove the "Rolled Up" style. You will notice that all rolled up symbols disappear.Perhaps this is the problem. Do any non-summary tasks under each of the "Desired" summary lines have the Rollup and Flag fields shown with a "yes" like this?
If not, then that's why you are not seeing the rolled up symbols.
John
Apologies, John; I realize you were asking about the non-summary tasks underneath the rolled-up "summary" heading. I can confirm that those tasks, also, have a "Rollup" status of "Yes" and a "Summary" status of "Yes".
I am attaching now the MS Project file. It took some time to strip it of all sensitive information and isolate this issue, specifically.
In this file, I just deleted the "Summary" bar style entirely, since it seemed like that might be part of the problem. A .mpp file cannot be attached so I have zipped the file.
Thanks.
Thetravis12 I suspect your Summary bar style conflicts with your Rolled bar styles. Exclude all the flags from the Summary bar style definition. Just like I've excluded Flag 1 in the screenshot below.
=jerome
