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Open Plan Transfer.dat Issue

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Sherell EstradaMember for 17 years 4 months
Created
10
6
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I am currently using Deltek Open Plan Verison 3.2.0874. I am modifying the script in the Transfer.dat in an attempt to import Progress via Microsoft Excel. Here is the script I’ve written thus far:

IMPORT csv PROGRESS UPDATE
DATE_FORMAT %C/%M/%D

TABLE ACT
UPDATE
FIELD ACT_ID
FIELD ASDATE
FIELD AFDATE
FIELD PROGTYPE
FIELD PROGVALUE
FIELD PPC

I do not wish to overlay any existing data in the project. I would like it to "update" the exisitng information that’s there or if there isn’t data, for example in the Actual Start or Actual Finish date fields then write to it. However, thus far I have not been successful in accomplishing this. It’s not updating the ASDATE/AFDATE, the script is making them null. Is it the format of my date field prior to importing? Could you please provide me with what it is I am doing wrong? Am I missing something? Thanks!
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  1. 0
    Gary Whitehead ·
    #1
    It’s almost certainly the formatting of the dates, yes.

    Easiest way to find the correct formatting is to use your script to export existing data from a project into excel, and ensure the formatting on your input sheet matches. That or it is described in the developers guide.

    NB: You may want to include remaining duration in your import as well

    Cheers,

    G
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  2. 0
    Sherell Estrada ·
    #2
    I’ve honestly tried it both ways a 100 times and am still unable to get the dates import successfully. The developer’s guide states to create a custom date format as such: mm/dd/yyyy hh:mm and save the file in that format prior to import. Which did not work. I’ve also exported the file and formated in the way it’s exported...which is ’General’ and it doesn’t import the dates that way either. What am I doing wrong!?!?! (I’m at boiling point)
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  3. 0
    Gary Whitehead ·
    #3
    In that case I am at a loss, I’m affraid.
    I don’t have OP any more so I can’t have a play and work it out, but I still think it will be the date format.
    Is there anyone else you know that has successfully imported dates? Maybe you could take a look at their script & import file?

    Good luck!
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  4. 0
    Mike Testro ·
    #4
    Hi Sherrel

    In every form of software that is worth anything you can set up a "Progress %" column and copy paste directly from excell into the column - job done.

    Have you thought of that?

    If you do not have the facility in Open Plan then ditch it and join the real world.

    Best regards

    Mike Testro
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  5. 0
    Sherell Estrada ·
    #5
    I don’t have a problem with importing the Progress% it’s the actual dates. The Actual Start and Actual Complete dates I’m having issues with importing. It’s not updating the dates whatsoever. With a 160000+ line item schedule updating progress is very tideous. Thus the purpose behind this script.
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  6. 0
    Ronald Winter ·
    #6
    Perhaps OP is expecting you to import text when you import a date. When you enter a date into an Excel sheet, it automatically converts it into a Julian Date (a double number) and then translates this into the date and time that you see on the screen. When you export this field to OP, you are actually exporting a double number.

    I do not have OP, so this is only a guess; try this to see if it works. Format your date fields at “Text” and then enter your dates. Now try an export to OP. It’s worth a try. Good luck!
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  7. 0
    Kevin Button ·
    #7
    I’m new to OPP and have found date import a bit touchy. If you haven’t yet found a solution to your problem, you could try saving your excel file as .txt then try importing that.

    Cheers
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  8. 0
    Sherell Estrada ·
    #8
    I found a solution. The save the xls as a csv however for it to import the dates correctly I ad to do a custom format of the dates as such: yyyy/mm/dd. Hopefully, my dilemma helps someone else going through this. I was wondering if anyone have any special xml’s or even the sample xml’s that came with Open Plan 3.3.1? If so please email me @ sherell.estrada@baesystems.com :)
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  9. 0
    Gary Whitehead ·
    #9
    Sorry, Sherell -I knew it had to be in csv format all along, but didn’t think to mention it!

    Glad you sorted it out.

    Cheers,

    G
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  10. 0
    Kenneth Rodrigues ·
    #10

    Gents, OPP Professional

    Gents, OPP Professional Transfer.dat works 100% fine. You problem is with the Date format.

    Please read the Developer Manual or use the Online context sensitive Help. It does give you the relevant formats for the Date before data can be Import to or from Excel. But Importing is one have to be very careful it demands certain requirements if not it will corrupt your schedule only. So if you don't bother to read the manual then just then ditch that idea and join the real world and enter update manually as Mike Testro said.


    If you over complicate things ...it leads to just more work for you. Also not all Activities update all at the same time even with a 100 nodes Schedule. 

    Best regards , Kenneth

     

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