Example: multi-file build and refresh

This example assumes there are three files (File1.MPP, File2.MPP and File3.MPP) which will used to create a single schedule which will later be updated (refreshed) from the 3 Microsoft Project schedules.

Step 1 - Import File 1:

1. Choose Connections | Create Report from Project.

2. Browse and locate the first Microsoft Project schedule (File1.MPP).

3.   (The Microsoft Project to Milestones wizard includes these selections on the first screen).

4. Use UniqueID (recommended) and enter file1 for the File nickname.

5. Choose Use a built in template (or one of the other choices.)  Click Next in the wizard.

6. Make selections in the wizard (for example Summary: Presentation Timeline and press Finish to create the schedule.

7. Save the schedule as File1MilestonesSchedule.mlq.

Step 2 - Import File 2:

1. Choose Connections | Create Report from Project.

2. Browse and locate the second Microsoft Project schedule (File2.MPP).

3.   (The Microsoft Project to Milestones wizard includes these selections on the first screen).

4. Use UniqueID (recommended) and enter file2 for the File nickname.

5. Choose Use a built in template (or one of the other choices.)  Click Next in the wizard.

6. Make selections in the wizard (for example Summary: Presentation Timeline and press Finish to create the schedule.

7. Save the schedule as File2MilestonesSchedule.mlq.

Step 3 - Import File 3:

1. Choose Connections | Create Report from Project.

2. Browse and locate the second Microsoft Project schedule (File3.MPP).

3.   (The Microsoft Project to Milestones wizard includes these selections on the first screen).

4. Use UniqueID (recommended) and enter file3 for the File nickname.

5. Choose Use a built in template (or one of the other choices.)  Click Next in the wizard.

6. Make selections in the wizard (for example Summary: Presentation Timeline and press Finish to create the schedule.

7. Save the schedule as File3MilestonesSchedule.mlq.

Step 4 - Create a new schedule (File1File2File3Merged.

1. Open File1MilestonesSchedule.mlq.

2. Save the schedule as (File | Save As...)  File1File2File3Merged.mlq.

3. On the File tab, choose the  next to Open.

4. On the menu choose Chart to Merge.

5. Locate File2MilestonesSchedule.mlq and open it.

6. On the File tab, choose the next to Open.

7. On the menu choose Chart to Merge.

8. Locate File3MilestonesSchedule.mlq and open it.

9. Save File1File2File3Merged.mlq

Step 5 - Add a refresh list to File1File2File3Merged.

1. On the Connections tab, choose the  next to Refresh Previously Imported Project.

2. On the menu choose Create/Edit Refresh File List.

3. Click the Add Schedule button.

4. Browse to locate File1.mpp and click Open.  

5. The list now includes something like this:  <File1>C:\users\username\File1.MPP

6. If the nickname (the <File1> in the example above) does not say File1, then

   1. Enter File1 in the Current File Nickname field.

   2. Click Press to Update Nickname.

7. Browse to locate File2.MPP and click Open.  

8. The list now includes something like this:  <File2>C:\users\username\File2.MPP

9. If the nickname (the <File2> in the example above) does not say File2, then

   1. Enter File2 in the Current File Nickname field.

   2. Click Press to Update Nickname.

10. Repeat steps 7-9 above to add File3.MPP with a nickname of file3 to the list.

Save the File1File2File3Merged.mlp schedule.

The schedule File1File2File3Merged.mlp can now be refreshed from the 3 separate Microsoft Project schedules.  

To refresh:

1. Choose Connections | Refresh Previously Imported Project.

2. There will be no prompt (as there usually is) to specify a Microsoft Project file from which to refresh.  Instead the Refresh Options dialog box will specify that the schedule is being refreshed from the schedule's refresh file list.

The same procedure can be used for Microsoft Project Server.   Schedules should all be imported using the same import format if they will be merged together. When a schedule is built with the Project to Milestones Wizard, all symbols, columns and rows are "tagged".