Forum Discussion
shaunav
Apr 01, 2021Copper Contributor
How to turn off notes “multiple line” message (MS Project 2013)
I use notes extensively to track comments in meeting. I only have a single string – not multiple lines of text – but I keep getting the popup “multiple lines” message. How can I turn that off? It i...
- Apr 05, 2021
I've been using Project in various versions for over 20 years and I've never seen that message and it took me a while to figure out how to even make the message appear. The reason it appears is that at some point a user entered multiple lines of Notes field text via the Notes tab of the Task Information window. That's the only way, other than through VBA, a user can create multiple lines of text. Once those multiple lines of notes text exist for a given task, attempting to edit the notes text via the Notes field as a column in a view, will trigger the message.
The answer to your question is, you cannot enter further Notes field text via the Notes field directly, you must either convert all task Notes field text to single lines of text less than 255 characters with no carriage returns, or only enter Notes field text via the Task Information window. I suggest you do the latter as that will allow you to take full advantage of Notes field editing capabilities (i.e. font formatting, multiple lines, bulleted lists, ability to insert objects like an Excel table, text from a Word document, or images).
John
John-project
Apr 05, 2021Silver Contributor
I've been using Project in various versions for over 20 years and I've never seen that message and it took me a while to figure out how to even make the message appear. The reason it appears is that at some point a user entered multiple lines of Notes field text via the Notes tab of the Task Information window. That's the only way, other than through VBA, a user can create multiple lines of text. Once those multiple lines of notes text exist for a given task, attempting to edit the notes text via the Notes field as a column in a view, will trigger the message.
The answer to your question is, you cannot enter further Notes field text via the Notes field directly, you must either convert all task Notes field text to single lines of text less than 255 characters with no carriage returns, or only enter Notes field text via the Task Information window. I suggest you do the latter as that will allow you to take full advantage of Notes field editing capabilities (i.e. font formatting, multiple lines, bulleted lists, ability to insert objects like an Excel table, text from a Word document, or images).
John
shaunav
Apr 05, 2021Copper Contributor
Thanks John-project. Someone owned the most troublesome project plan before I took it over, so perhaps they did use multiple lines (although it doesn't appear that way now). Time to rebuild the plan!
As to using the Task Information window, I don't need formatting and my notes are quite cryptic; I add the most recent in front of what's already there (so we see most recent note from the Gantt view); I separate with a semicolon. I appreciate your insights. Thanks again.
- John-projectApr 05, 2021Silver Contributor
You're welcome and thanks for the feedback.
Just bear in mind that when you enter the notes text in that way, you will be prevented from entering any more text when the total text string reaches 255 characters. Entering notes text via the Task Information window will allow you to enter an essentially unlimited amount of text whether or not your use any formatting. And, in so doing, you will also have a complete record, albeit not displayed in the Notes field when displayed as a column, of all notes text that is entered.As an added reference you may want to take a look at the following Wiki article:
- davef_dciJul 21, 2022Copper Contributor
John-project
I'm sorry to pester you in this way but I could really benefit from a macro you wrote that allows exporting a project hierarchy to excel (along with a few mods). But I'm getting a compile error (user-defined type not defined). Is there any way to contact you on this? I could really use your help!
https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/msoffice/forum/all/export-ms-project-to-excel-while-keeping-hierarchy/56dd58d8-1f56-4631-a2a3-06b8cd675435
Dave - can be reached at dave.franchino(at) gmail.com or 608-three three four - 5788
Thank you so very much!- John-projectJul 22, 2022Silver Contributordavef_dci,
Are you saying you tried running the macro I wrote in the referenced link and got the error? If so try this:
While in the VB Editor go to, Tools > References. In the list of references find the one for Microsoft Excel XX.X Object Library and select it. Hit OK and then try running the macro. Once that reference is set you shouldn't have to set it again.
If you still have issues, contact me at the address below. I will ask some questions.
John
jmacprojataticlouddotdotcom
(remove obvious redundancies)