Forum Discussion
How to import a Project for the Web export into Project Pro (desktop)
Hi all, so I'm working with someone who is using Project for the Web. This will only allow them to export to excel. I'm trying to take this and import it into my desktop Project Pro, but can't seem t...
- wolfie42 --
I ran into this exact problem a couple of years ago, and decided it is way too much work trying to import into Microsoft Project an Excel workbook that was exported from Project for the Web. However, if this something you absolutely have to do, then copy all of the cells from the exported Excel workbook (including the column names) and then paste them into a competely new Excel workbook. Then save the new workbook. You should now find that the information appears as expected in the Import dialog in Microsoft Project. Hope this helps.
Hey Dale, finally got a minute to test this out and it works, mostly lol! So thank you! BUT one question. The import doesn't seem to retain the summary tasks, the indentations. So all tasks are at the same "level". I did import the Outline values that were in the exported file and was hoping Project would use that to know what the summary tasks were but no luck there. Did I do something wrong or is this just something that's part of this type of process?
Thanks again!
Thanks again!
wolfie42 --
No, the Outline Number field will not import into Microsoft Project because this is a field that is calculated by the software. What you CAN do, however, is to create a custom Number field named Outline Level in your Project for the Web project. You will need to manually enter numbers that represent the outline level of each task, where 1 is the first level of indent, 2 is the second level of indent, etc. Then import the Excel spreadsheet into Microsoft Project and the Outline level values from the Excel workbook WILL BE imported into your Microsoft Project schedule. I tried this and it did work as expected, however, there is quite a bit of manual labor involved. Now I think you can see how difficult it is to import a Project for the Web project into Microsoft Project! 🙂 Hope this helps.
No, the Outline Number field will not import into Microsoft Project because this is a field that is calculated by the software. What you CAN do, however, is to create a custom Number field named Outline Level in your Project for the Web project. You will need to manually enter numbers that represent the outline level of each task, where 1 is the first level of indent, 2 is the second level of indent, etc. Then import the Excel spreadsheet into Microsoft Project and the Outline level values from the Excel workbook WILL BE imported into your Microsoft Project schedule. I tried this and it did work as expected, however, there is quite a bit of manual labor involved. Now I think you can see how difficult it is to import a Project for the Web project into Microsoft Project! 🙂 Hope this helps.
- Yea, thanks. Based on this, it looks like the import wizard is pointless. I can just copy/paste from excel to project and need to do the same manual work to clean it up. If it can't tell which tasks are summary tasks, then the import is useless IMO. Appreciate the help!
- wolfie42 --
Yes, I think your assessment is correct that the import process is way too much work. Copy and paste from Excel to Microsoft Project would certainly be much easier! 🙂
