Importing MS Project plans

Modified on Mon, 20 Nov 2023 at 05:51 PM

In this article we describe how to import your MS Project plans using MPP, MPT or XML MS Project files.


In this article, you will learn:

          how to import a project schedule into Fluid from MS-Project.

          the steps to upload the MS-Project file.

          the rules that are applied when you upload the MS-Project file.



Uploading Conditions


Fluid maintains the framework of project plans managed in MS-Project, but due to system differences, the following conditions apply:

  • MS Project files must be in MPP, MPT or XML format.
  • Resources assigned to tasks in MS-Project are not assigned to tasks in Fluid.
  • You don’t need to have Microsoft Project installed on your device in order to import MS-Project files.

How to import a project schedule into Fluid from MS-Project? 

Preparing your MS-Project data for import


To import a project schedule into Fluid from MS-Project, you first need to save your project in an MS-Project file. 

The following steps outline how to save your project in MS-Project as an MPP, MPT or XML file:

  1. Open the project in MS-Project.
  2. Click File – Save As
  3. Select the desired location of where you would like to save the MPP, MPT or XML output file
  4. Insert a name for the file under File name
  5. From the Save as type drop down select the type of file you want to create - .mpp, .mpt or .xml.


You can also export your MS-Project plan by selecting File – Import/Export in step 2, but the outcome is the same.




Uploading the MS-Project file to Fluid


Once you have saved your project in MS-Project as an MPP, MPT or XML file, you can upload it.


Navigate to the workspace of the project you want to upload the plan to, then scroll to the Schedule section of the workspace and click on EDIT GANTT VIEW




Once in the Gantt schedule, go to 'Tools' - top right of the screen - and select MS Project Upload from the drop down.




The upload dialog will open. Read the instructions and tooltips on the upload dialog carefully. This will help to ensure you know what behaviour to expect!




Click on Upload File, select your MS-Project file and click on Open. 


Fluid will upload the file - and when the file has been processed the dialog box will close and your schedule will refresh to display the uploaded plan in Fluid.





If you find content missing after uploading your file it's more than likely the file is still processing.

Give it a few of seconds and then hit the refresh button top right of the schedule- or refresh the entire page.



Field Mapping Table


Fluid can read MPP projects (native MS Project format and Microsoft Project Online format) and XML project formats. MS Project 2003, 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016 and 2019 MPP formats are supported.

Below is detailed the fields considered as well as the rules that are applied when importing MSP files:



Tasks


Field in MSPField in FluidField Type in Fluid
NameTitleText
NotesDescriptionTextArea
Percent Complete% CompleteSlider
StartStart DateDate
FinishEnd DateDate
RollupAuto-calculateYes/No
Resource NameAssigned To (see rules below)Reference to Object

 


Dependencies


Field in MSPField in FluidField Type in Fluid
Predecessor: IDPredecessor: IDReference to Object
Predecessor: Task NamePredecessor: TitleText
Predecessor: TypePredecessor: TypeSelection
Predecessor: LagPredecessor: LagNumber



Rules


MS-ProjectFluid
Percentage complete of 0%Status of the task set to Not Started
Percentage complete between 1% - 99%Status of the task set to In Progress
Percentage complete of 100%Status of the task set to Completed
TaskSet with a task type of Deliverable
Mark task as milestone selectedSet with a task type of Milestone
Rollup taskSet with a task type of Phase
Multiple tasks are on the same day any dependenciesLag on dependencies set to -1. Fluid supports duration in days.
Resource Name matches registered email address or account username in FluidResource allocated
N/AAll imported tasks default to a RAG status of Green in Fluid.
N/ADuration set to the number of days between Start Date and End Date.









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