Using the MPX File Format About the MPX File Format The MPX file format is an ASCII file format which you can use to transfer project information between Microsoft Project and other applications that support the MPX file format, such as Primavera Project Planner and Timberline Precision Estimating. The MPX file format allows you to transfer project information that cannot appear in a table, such as detailed resource assignment information, calendar information, or information in the Document and Project tabs of the Summary Info dialog box. Before saving a Microsoft Project file in the MPX file format, check that the application to which you want to transfer your project information can interpret the MPX format. In some cases, you may need to run a conversion program before using your file in the other application. Microsoft Project can also open files saved in the MPX file format. Microsoft Project version 4.0 for Windows can open and save Microsoft Project version 1.0, 3.0 and 4.0 MPX files. You open an MPX file just like any other Microsoft Project file. When you open an MPX file, you can merge the file into the active project or place the information in a new project. If you choose to merge the files and are using Unique IDs, the information in the new file will replace the information in the matching record. You can create MPX files containing only that information you want to merge into the existing project, plus the resource assignments. For example, you can create an MPX file that contains only cost information that has changed. By including the Unique ID and the new cost for that set of resources, only that information is replaced in your project. To save a file in MPX format, see the Exporting a Project File in MPX Format topic in online Help. When you export an MPX file, you do not specify a table because the task and resource Export tables are automatically used. If you delete the Export tables from GLOBAL.MPT, you will not be able to export an MPX file unless you copy the Export tables from your global file to your current project. You can change the Export tables by choosing Tables from the View menu, choosing More Tables, selecting Export and clicking the Edit button; however, you should do so only if instructed by the application into which you will be transferring the exported information. The Export tables supplied with Microsoft Project are the standard tables used by most applications that support the MPX file format. If the incoming tasks or resources include the Unique ID number in the first or second position and you are merging two files, Microsoft Project merges the information into the matching record; if no match is found, a new record is created at the end of the tasks or resources. If you are not merging the file you are opening and the incoming tasks or resources include an ID number as the first field, Microsoft Project inserts each task or resource in the row with the corresponding ID number so that the ID number of each task or resource in Microsoft Project is the same as the original ID number. If the incoming file skips an ID number, the task or resource row with that ID number is left blank so that you can import blank rows between tasks or resources. The following differences exist between Microsoft Project version 3.0 MPX files and version 4.0 MPX files: - The new fields in Microsoft Project version 4.0 have been included in the appropriate MPX records. For example, in the Project Header record, the new fields in the Document and Project tabs of the Summary Info dialog box have been added. When saving in version 1.0 and 3.0 MPX file format, new fields are ignored. - When you open an MPX file in Microsoft Project, you no longer get the prompt to merge the file into the existing project by default. If you would like to merge the information in the MPX file into the current file you must specify this in the parameter list of the FileOpen command. For instructions on how to do this, search Help for Merging MPX File Format. - A new record has been added to store the information used by the Workgroup features. - A new record has been added to store information about recurring tasks. - The Symbol Position setting in the Currency Settings record now supports one space between the currency symbol and the number. MPX File Format Specifications This section is intended for developers who are creating utility programs for transferring information between another application and Microsoft Project. If you are transferring MPX files between Microsoft Project and another application that already supports the MPX file format, you do not need to read this section. An MPX file consists of records separated by carriage returns and line feeds. Within each record are fields that contain the information for the project. The types of records and the order of those records are set. The following table lists all the record types, the record number used to identify each record type, and the number of records of each type that can be included in the MPX file. The MPX file does not have to contain all the record types; the only required record is the File Creation record. Any records included in the MPX file must be in the order shown in the table, except that Comment records can be inserted anywhere in the file. Record name Record number Maximum number of records File Creation (required) none 1 Currency Settings 10 1 Default Settings 11 1 Date and Time Settings 12 1 Base Calendar Definition 20 250 Base Calendar Hours 25 7 per Base Calendar Definition record Base Calendar Exception 26 250 per Base Calendar Definition record Project Header 30 1 Text Resource Table Definition 40 1 (Or you can use the Numeric Resource Table Definition record) Numeric Resource Table Definition 41 1 Resource 50 9,999 Resource Notes 51 1 per Resource record Resource Calendar Definition 55 1 per Resource record Resource Calendar Hours 56 7 per Resource Calendar Definition record Resource Calendar Exception 57 250 per Resource Calendar Definition record Text Task Table Definition 60 1 (Or you can use the Numeric Task Table Definition record) Numeric Task Table Definition 61 1 Task 70 9,999 Task Notes 71 1 per Task record Recurring Task 72 1 per Task record Resource Assignment 75 100 per Task record Assignment Workgroup fields 76 1 per Assignment record Project Names 80 500 DDE and OLE Client Links 81 500 Comments 0 unlimited NOTE Some records within the file must follow other records. The records in the preceding table that list a maximum number "per" the preceding record must be listed immediately following that record. For example, up to 100 resource assignments can be listed per Task record. If a task has 10 resource assignments, those 10 Resource Assignment records must be located immediately following that Task record, and before the next Task record. An MPX file always begins with the File Creation record; this record identifies the file format (MPX), the list separator character used to separate fields within records, the application and version number used to create the MPX file, the version of MPX format that the file uses, and the code page used to create the file. Each record, except the File Creation record, starts with the record number. The record number is followed by the list separator character and the information for each of the fields; each field is separated by the list separator character. The general rules for field contents are: - Calculated fields do not need to be imported because they will be ignored. - If the list separator character, usually a comma or semicolon, is included in a field, for example, to separate predecessors, the field is enclosed in quotation marks. - If a field contains a quotation mark, two quotation marks are used. - The list separator character need not be included for blank fields at the end of a record. - The list separator character must be included for blank fields between fields that contain information. - When exporting a Microsoft Project file in MPX format, dates and times are written in the default date format for the Export table. Microsoft Project can import dates entered in any of the formats of the dates shown in the Options dialog box . For information about date and time formats, search Help for Dates, and go to the Dates topic. - Microsoft Project ignores blank space (spaces and tabs) at the beginning and end of fields when importing an MPX file. - Blank imported fields do not replace existing information when merging MPX files. The order and exact content of the fields in each record are described in the following record definitions. The record number used to identify the record type follows the record name. The example in each record definition uses a comma as the list separator character. File Creation - no record number This is a required record that identifies the file format (MPX), the list separator character used in the file, the program and version number used to create the file, the version number of the MPX file format used in the file, and the code page used to create the file. This must be the first record in the file. When exporting from Microsoft Project, the list separator character specified in the International program item in the Windows Control Panel. The fields included in this record are: - MPX followed immediately by the list separator character - Program Name/Identifier - Version Number of the file - Code Page (850, 437, MAC, ANSI) Example: MPX, Microsoft Project, 3.0 This example specifies that a comma is used as the list separator character in this MPX file and the version of the MPX format used in the file is exported from Microsoft Project version 3.0. Currency Settings - 10 This record specifies settings for the currency options in the Options dialog box. If you include currency values in your import file, specify the currency settings here so that the values are imported correctly. If this record is not included, the current settings in the Options dialog box are used. For information about the currency settings, search Help for Currency: default settings. The Thousands and Decimal separators are specified in the International program item in the Windows Control Panel. The fields included in this record are: - Currency Symbol - Symbol Position (0 = after, 1 = before, 2 = after with a space, 3 = before with a space) - Currency Digits (0,1,2) - Thousands Separator - Decimal Separator Example: 10,$,1,2,",",. This example specifies that currency values include a dollar sign ($) before them, that two digits are included after the decimal point, that a comma is used to separate thousands, and that a period is used as the decimal point. Because the list separator character is included in the Thousands Separator field, the field is surrounded by quotation marks. Default Settings - 11 This record specifies settings for the default options in the Options dialog box. If the durations you are importing don't include a duration abbreviation, specify the Default Duration Unit here so that duration units are correct. If this record is not included, the current settings in the Options dialog box are used. For information about the default options, search Help for Duration: defaults. The fields included in this record are: - Default Duration Units (0 = minutes, 1 = hours, 2 = days, 3 = weeks) - Default Duration Type (0 = not fixed, 1 = fixed) - Default Work Units (0 = minutes, 1 = hours, 2 = days, 3 = weeks) - Default Hours/Day - Default Hours/Week - Default Standard Rate - Default Overtime Rate - Updating Task Status Updates Resource Status (0 = no, 1 = yes) - Split In-Progress Tasks (0 = no, 1 = yes) Example: 11,2,0,1,8,40,$10/h,$15/h,1 This example specifies the following default settings: durations are in days and are not fixed, work units are in hours, there are eight hours in a workday and 40 hours in a workweek, the standard pay rate is $10 per hour, the overtime pay rate is $15 per hour, and the Updating Task Status Updates Resource Status check box is selected. MPX 1.0 format: Since only integers are allowed for Default Hours/Day and Default Hours/Week in Microsoft Project version 1.0, a noninteger value for either option is rounded to the nearest integer when you create a file in MPX 1.0 format. Options not in Microsoft Project version 1.0 are not written when you create a file in MPX 1.0 format. Date and Time Settings - 12 This record specifies settings for the date and time options in the Options dialog box, and the Bar Text Date Format option in the Layout dialog box. If this record is not included, the current settings in the Options dialog box are used. For information about the date and time settings, search Help for Dates, and go to the Dates topic. The fields included in this record are: - Date Order (0 = month/day/year, 1 = day/month/year, 2 = year/month/day) - Time Format (0 = 12 hour, 1 = 24 hour) - Default Time (number of minutes after midnight) - Date Separator - Time Separator - 0:00 to 11:59 Text - 12:00 to 23:59 Text - Date Format (0 -14)* - Bar Text Date Format (0 -194)* * There are 20 different formats available for dates. To see the date formats available, from the Tools menu, choose Options, select the View tab and select the date option you want from the Date Format list. For more information, search Help for Dates, and go to the Dates topic. Example: 12,0,0,480,/,:,am,pm This example specifies that dates are in the order month/day/year, that times are in 12-hour format, that the default time is 8:00 A.M. (or 480 minutes after midnight), that the month, day, and year are separated by a slash, that hours and minutes are separated by a colon, and that "am" and "pm" are used to indicate morning and evening. Base Calendar Definition - 20 These records define base calendars and their working and nonworking days of the week. When merging an MPX file, calendar information is merged into the active project, and calendars with the same name are overwritten. The default settings are used if there is no entry for a day. The default settings are Monday through Friday for working days, and Saturday and Sunday for nonworking days. In this record, the Name field is required. For each of the days, an entry of 0 indicates that the day is a nonworking day, and an entry of 1 indicates that the day is a working day. The fields included in this record are: - Name - Sunday - Monday - Tuesday - Wednesday - Thursday - Friday - Saturday Example: 20,writers,0,1,1,1,1,1,0 This example specifies that Monday through Friday are working days, and Saturday and Sunday are nonworking days for the base calendar named writers. Base Calendar Hours - 25 These records specify the working hours for the days of the week, if they differ from the default settings. The default working hours are 8:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. and 1:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. Each Base Calendar Hours record refers to the preceding Base Calendar Definition record. Up to seven of these records can follow each Base Calendar Definition record. - Day of the Week (1 - 7, where 1 = Sunday and 7 = Saturday) - From Time 1 - To Time 1 - From Time 2 - To Time 2 - From Time 3 - To Time 3 Example: 25,2,7:00,11:00,12:00,4:00 This example specifies that on Mondays, the working hours are from 7:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. and 12:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. Base Calendar Exception - 26 These records define the exceptions to the days and hours specified in the previous two record types. Up to 250 of these records can follow each Base Calendar Definition record. These records must be listed in chronological order. If an exception is one day, you can leave the To Date field empty. If no times are indicated, the default times of 8:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. and 1:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. are used. The fields included in this record are: - From Date - To Date - Nonworking/Working (0 = nonworking, 1 = working) - From Time 1 - To Time 1 - From Time 2 - To Time 2 - From Time 3 - To Time 3 Example 1: 26,12/24/95,12/25/95,0 Example 2: 26,10/4/95,,1,8:00,12:30 Example 1 makes December 24 and 25, 1995, nonworking days. Example 2 makes Sunday, October 4, 1995, a working day from 8:00 A.M. to 12:30 P.M. Example 2 requires an extra comma to hold the place of the To Date field. MPX 1.0 format: Since only 50 exceptions are allowed in Microsoft Project version 1.0, any exceptions after the first 50 will be ignored when you create a file in MPX 1.0 format. Project Header - 30 This record sets global project fields, such as the project start date and project finish date. The fields in this record correspond to the information in the Summary Info and Statistics dialog boxes. The fields and tabs included in this record are: - Project tab - Company - Manager - Calendar (Standard used if no entry) - Start Date (either this field or the next field is calculated for an imported file, depending on the Schedule From setting) - Finish Date - Schedule From (0 = start, 1 = finish) - Current Date* - Comments - Cost* - Baseline Cost* - Actual Cost* - Work* - Baseline Work* - Actual Work* - Work* - Duration* - Baseline Duration* - Actual Duration* - Percent Complete* - Baseline Start* - Baseline Finish* - Actual Start* - Actual Finish* - Start Variance* - Finish Variance* - Subject - Author - Keywords * These fields are calculated by Microsoft Project, so imported values are ignored. Example: 30,Clocks Exhibit,National Museum,Michael Edwards,Standard,1/2/95 In this example the Clocks Exhibit project for the National Museum is managed by Michael Edwards, uses the Standard calendar, and starts on January 2, 1995. MPX 1.0 and 3.0 formats: Fields not in Microsoft Project version 1.0 or 3.0 are not written when you create a file in MPX 1.0 or 3.0 format. Text Resource Table Definition - 40 This record lists the resource fields, in order, that are being imported or exported. For imported files, the names must match the field names used in Microsoft Project. For exported files, this record comes from the resource Export table. You must use either this record or the Numeric Resource Table Definition record described next. When exporting from Microsoft Project, both of these records are included. For a complete description of the available fields, search Help for Export Table, and go to the Summary of Export Table (Resource) or Summary of Export Table (Task) topic. For this record, list the names of the resource fields you want, separating them with the list separator character. Example: 40,name,max units,standard rate This example specifies that each resource record in the file contains the resource name, maximum units, and standard rate. NOTE For imported files, if you don't merge the new file with the open project and ID is the first field listed after the record number in the Text or Numeric Resource Table Definition record, the resource records are imported with the same ID number as indicated in the record. For example, if the first imported resource record has an ID number of 1 and the second imported resource record has an ID number of 3, the records are imported into Microsoft Project as resource 1 and resource 3, leaving resource 2 blank. If you do merge and the Unique ID field is either the first field or the second field following the ID field, Microsoft Project will look for a record with the same Unique ID and replace the existing information with the new information. If no match is found, a new record is added at the end of the list. MPX 1.0 and 3.0 Formats: Fields not in Microsoft Project versions 1.0 or 3.0 are not written when you create a file in MPX 1.0 format. An MPX file must have at least two task and two resource fields. Numeric Resource Table Definition - 41 Using numbers rather than names, this record lists the resource fields, in order, that are being imported or exported. This is an alternate method for identifying the resource fields included in each Resource record, and is useful when defining an MPX file created by a foreign language product. The following table shows the field numbers for all resource fields in Microsoft Project. For a complete description of the available fields, search Help for Export Table, and go to the Summary of Export Table (Resource) topic. For this record, list the numbers of the resource fields you want, separating them with the list separator character. Field Number % Work Complete 26 Accrue At 45 Actual Cost 32 Actual Work 22 Base Calendar 48 Baseline Cost* 31 Baseline Work* 21 Code 4 Cost* 30 Cost Per Use 44 Cost Variance* 34 Email Address 11 Group 3 ID 40 Initials 2 Linked Fields* 51 Max Units 41 Name 1 Notes 10 Objects* 50 Overallocated* 46 Overtime Rate 43 Overtime Work* 24 Peak* 47 Remaining Cost* 33 Remaining Work* 23 Standard Rate 42 Text1 5 Text2 6 Text3 7 Text4 8 Text5 9 Unique ID 49 Work* 20 Work Variance* 25 * When creating a file to be imported into Microsoft Project, you do not have to include this field as it will be ignored. Example: 41,1,41,42 This example lists the field numbers that correspond to the fields shown in the previous example (Name, Max Units, and Standard Rate). MPX 1.0 and 3.0 Formats: Fields not in Microsoft Project version 1.0 or 3.0 are not written when you create a file in MPX 1.0 or 3.0 format. Resource - 50 These records contain the information for each resource being imported or exported. Each Resource record describes one resource. When you import information, the fields that are included are defined by the Text Resource Table Definition record or the Numeric Resource Table Definition record. When you export information, the fields that are included are those listed in the resource Export table. For this record, list the field values for the resource, separating them with the list separator character. Example: 50,carpenter,4,$10/h This example shows the information for the resource carpenter that matches the resource table definition specified in the previous example. The Max Units is four and the Standard Rate is $10 per hour. MPX 1.0 format: Text fields that are too long are truncated when you create a file in MPX 1.0 format. Only 2000 resources will be saved in MPX 1.0 format. Resource Notes - 51 These records contain notes about the immediately preceding Resource record. Use ASCII character 127 to indicate a new line within the note. If the note includes the list separator character, enclose the note in quotation marks. MPX 1.0 format: If the note is too long, it is truncated when you create a file in MPX 1.0 format. Resource Calendar Definition - 55 These records define the working days for the resource specified in the immediately preceding Resource record. For imported files, if there is no entry for the Base Calendar Name field, Standard is used. No entry for the specific day indicates that the day is set to the default (2). If there are no Resource Calendar Definition records, Standard is used as the base calendar for the resource, with default used for the days. For each of the days, an entry of 0 indicates that the day is a nonworking day, 1 indicates that the day is a working day, and 2 specifies that the default is used. For information about resource calendars, search Help for Resource Calendar: setting, and go to the Change Working Time Command topic. The fields included in this record are: - Base Calendar Name - Sunday - Monday - Tuesday - Wednesday - Thursday - Friday - Saturday Example: 55,standard,2,2,2,2,2,0,2 This example specifies that the resource defined immediately preceding this record (in this case, carpenter) has the same working days and hours as the Standard base calendar for Sunday through Thursday and Saturday, but does not work on Fridays. Resource Calendar Hours - 56 These records define the working hours for the resource that differ from the base calendar used by the resource. These records apply to the Resource Calendar Definition record immediately preceding this record. Up to seven of these records can follow each Resource Calendar Definition record. The fields included in this record are: - Day of the Week (1-7, where 1 = Sunday and 7 = Saturday) - From Time 1 - To Time 1 - From Time 2 - To Time 2 - From Time 3 - To Time 3 Example: 56,3,7:00,11:00,12:00,4:00 This example specifies that on Tuesdays, the immediately preceding resource (in this case, carpenter) works from 7:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. with an hour off from 11:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. Resource Calendar Exception - 57 These records define the exceptions to the days and hours specified in the previous two record types. Up to 250 of these records can follow each Resource Calendar Definition record. These records must be listed in chronological order. If the exception is only one day, you can leave the To Date field empty. If no times are indicated, the default times of 8:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. and 1:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. are used. The fields included in this record are: - From Date - To Date - Nonworking/Working (0 = nonworking, 1 = working, 2 = default) - From Time 1 - To Time 1 - From Time 2 - To Time 2 - From Time 3 - To Time 3 Example: 57,11/9/95,11/13/95,0 This example specifies that this resource (in this case, carpenter) does not work from November 9, 1995, to November 13, 1995. MPX 1.0 format: Since only 50 exceptions are allowed in Microsoft Project version 1.0, any exceptions after the first 50 will be ignored when you create a file in MPX 1.0 format. Text Task Table Definition - 60 This record lists the task fields, in order, that are being imported or exported. For imported files, the names must match the field names used in Microsoft Project. If the file is being exported, this record comes from the task Export table. You can use either this record or the Numeric Task Table Definition record described next, but one or the other is required. When exporting from Microsoft Project, both of these records are included. For a complete description of the available fields, search Help for Export Table, and go to the Summary of Export Table (Resource) or Summary of Export Table (Task) topic. Fields that are calculated by Microsoft Project, such as Scheduled Start and Scheduled Finish, are ignored if imported. If you have task start or finish dates that are fixed, use the Constraint Type and Constraint Date fields. For this record, list the names of the task fields you want, separating them with the list separator character. Example: 60,name,duration,predecessors This example specifies that each task record in the file contains the task name, duration, and predecessors. NOTE For imported files, if you don't merge the new file with the open project and task ID is the first field listed after the record number in the Text or Numeric Task Table Definition record, the task records are imported with the same task ID number as indicated in the record. For example, if the first imported task record has a task ID number of 1 and the second imported task record has a task ID number of 3, the records are imported into Microsoft Project as task 1 and task 3, leaving task 2 blank. If you do merge and the Unique ID field is either the first field or the second field following the task ID field, Microsoft Project will look for a record with the same Unique ID and replace the existing information with the new information. If no match is found, a new record is added at the end of the list. If you merge on Unique IDs and want to maintain the correct relationships, include Unique ID Predecessors as a field to be imported, and remove the predecessors. If you merge in the new file, you must include record 75 if you want to retain resource assignments. If you don't, resource assignments will be deleted. MPX 1.0 and 3.0 formats: Fields not in Microsoft Project version 1.0 or 3.0 are not written when you create a file in MPX 1.0 or 3.0 format. The Priorities field in version 4.0 maps to versions 1.0 and 3.0 as follows: Do Not Level and Highest become Highest; Very High, Higher, and High become High; Medium is Medium; Low, Lower, and Very Low become Low; and Lowest is Lowest. An MPX file must have at least two task and two resource fields. Numeric Task Table Definition - 61 Using numbers rather than names, this record lists the task fields, in order, that are being imported or exported. This is an alternate method for identifying the task fields included in each Task record, and is useful when defining an MPX file created by a foreign language product. The following table shows the field numbers for all task fields in Microsoft Project. For a complete description of the available fields, search Help for Export Table, and go to the Summary of Export Table (Task) topic. For this record, list the numbers of the task fields you want separated by the list separator character. Field Number % Complete 44 % Work Complete 25 Actual Cost 32 Actual Duration 42 Actual Finish 59 Actual Start 58 Actual Work 22 Baseline Cost 31 Baseline Duration 41 Baseline Finish 57 Baseline Start 56 Baseline Work 21 BCWP 86 BCWS 85 Confirmed 135 Constraint Date 68 Constraint Type 91 Contact 15 Cost 30 Cost1 36 Cost2 37 Cost3 38 Cost Variance* 34 Created* 125 Critical* 82 CV* 88 Delay 92 Duration 40 Duration1 46 Duration2 47 Duration3 48 Duration Variance* 45 Early Finish* 53 Early Start* 52 Finish 51 Finish1 61 Finish2 63 Finish3 65 Finish4 127 Finish5 129 Finish Variance* 67 Fixed 80 Fixed Cost 35 Flag1 110 Flag2 111 Flag3 112 Flag4 113 Flag5 114 Flag6 115 Flag7 116 Flag8 117 Flag9 118 Flag10 119 Free Slack* 93 Hide Bar 123 ID 90 Late Finish* 55 Late Start* 54 Linked Fields* 122 Marked 83 Milestone 81 Name 1 Notes 14 Number1 140 Number2 141 Number3 142 Number4 143 Number5 144 Objects* 121 Outline Level 3 Outline Number 99 Predecessors 70 Priority 95 Project 97 Remaining Cost 33 Remaining Duration 43 Remaining Work 23 Resource Group* 16 Resource Initials 73 Resource Names 72 Resume 151 Resume No Earlier Than 152 Rollup 84 Start 50 Start1 60 Start2 62 Start3 64 Start4 126 Start5 128 Start Variance* 66 Stop 150 Subproject File 96 Successors 71 Summary* 120 SV* 87 Text1 4 Text2 5 Text3 6 Text4 7 Text5 8 Text6 9 Text7 10 Text8 11 Text9 12 Text10 13 Total Slack* 94 Unique ID 98 Unique ID Predecessors 74 Unique ID Successors 75 Update Needed 136 WBS 2 Work 20 Work Variance* 24 * When creating a file to be imported into Microsoft Project, you do not have to include this field as it will be ignored. If you have start or finish dates that are fixed, use the Constraint Type and Constraint Date fields. Example: 61,1,40,70 This example lists the field numbers that correspond to the fields shown in the previous example (name, duration, and predecessors). MPX 1.0 and 3.0 format: Fields not in Microsoft Project version 1.0 or 3.0 are not written when you create a file in MPX 1.0 or 3.0 format. Task - 70 These records contain the information for each task being imported or exported. Each Task record describes one task. When you import information, the fields that are included are defined by the Text Task Table Definition record or the Numeric Task Table Definition record. When you export information, the fields that are included are those listed in the task Export table. For this record, list the field values for the task, separating them with the list separator character. Example: 70,pour cement,6d This example shows the information for the task "Pour cement" that matches the task table definition specified in the previous example. The task duration is 6 days. MPX 1.0 format: Outline levels greater than five are saved as level five. Text fields that are too long are truncated. Only 2000 tasks are saved. Task Notes - 71 These records contain notes about the immediately preceding Task record. Use ASCII character 127 to indicate a new line within the note. If the note includes the list separator character, enclose the note in quotation marks. MPX 1.0 format: If the note is too long, it is truncated when you create a file in MPX 1.0 format. Recurring Task - 72 These records indicate if the task is a recurring task. The fields included in this record if the task is a parent recurring task are: - Start of the occurrences as entered in the Recurring Task Info dialog box. - Finish date entered in Recurring Task Info dialog box. - Duration of each occurrence. - Duration type (Day,Month, etc. ). - Number of occurrences. - The type chosen. (1 - DAILY, 4 - WEEKLY, 8 - MONTHLY, 16 - YEARLY) in the Recurring Task Info dialog box. - The combo index in Daily dialog (1 for every, 2 for every other etc.). - The combo index in the Weekly box. - The combo index (first,second, third...) in the Monthly box. - The combo index (Monday, Tuesday...) in the Monthly box. - The combo index (every, every other) if bottom option button is selected in the Monthly box. - The value of day in the Monthly box. - The combo index (every, every other...) if top option button is selected in the Monthly box. - The combo index (first, second...) in the Yearly box. - The combo index (Monday,...) in the Yearly box. - The combo index (January, Feb...) in the Yearly box. - The date shown in the Yearly box. If the task is a child recurring task, the field included in this record is: - Unique ID of parent Example: 72,1 This example specifies that the task is a child recurring task and that the parent recurring task has Unique ID 1. Resource Assignment - 75 These records list information about the resources assigned to the task that was defined in the preceding Task record. If you are merging files, and you want resource assignment information retained, you need to include the information in the MPX file. If you merge, all existing assignments on merged tasks will be deleted. If you are merging files based on Unique IDs, resources are assigned using the Resource Unique IDs, rather than IDs. The fields included in this record are: - ID - Units - Work - Planned Work - Actual Work - Overtime Work - Cost - Planned Cost - Actual Cost - Start* - Finish* - Delay - Resource Unique ID * Since these fields are calculated by Microsoft Project, imported values are ignored. Example: 75,3,0.5,40h This example specifies that the resource with ID number 3 be assigned to the immediately preceding task. If the incoming resources do not have ID numbers, then the third incoming resource is assigned. In this example, the resource is assigned to the "Pour cement" task for 40 hours of work, with 0.5 units. MPX 1.0 format: The Delay field is ignored if you create a file in MPX 1.0 format. Resource Assignment Workgroup Fields - 76 These records list the information that is stored with each assignment for the Workgroup features of Microsoft Project 4.0. If you are using the Workgroup features you need to include this record to insure that none of the information is lost. The fields included in this record are: - Message Unique ID - Confirmed (0 = False, 1 = True) - Response Pending (0 = False, 1 = True) - Update Start (Date) - Update Finish (Date) - Schedule+ ID Example: 76,1,0,1,6/1/95,6/2/95 This example specifies that the resource assignment specified in the above Assignment record (75) has Message Unique ID 1, has not confirmed the assignment, has not responded to the last message sent, and was notified that the task start and finish dates are 6/1/95 and 6/2/95. Project Names - 80 These records list all of the DDE link names that are stored in the project. The fields included in this record are: - Name - Description Example: 80,DDE_Link_T1,"T((1,3,5),(Name,Duration))" This example lists the DDE link named DDE_Link_T1 and its description. For more information about DDE, search Help for DDE, and go to the Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) definition topic. Because the list separator character is included in the description, the field is surrounded by quotation marks. MPX 1.0 format: If you are saving in MPX 1.0 format, this record is not written. DDE and OLE Client Links - 81 These records list all of the DDE links into the project. - Source - Link To Example: 81,Winword|d:\winword\MPX.doc!DDE_Link1,"T(1,Name)" In this example, Winword|d:\winword\MPX.doc!DDE_Link1 is the Link From argument, and T(1,Name) is the Link To argument. Because the list separator character is included in Link To, the field is surrounded by quotation marks. OLE Client links are distinguished from DDE client links by setting the first character to ":". For example: 81,:\LINK_1,"T(2,1)", the ":" at the beginning of the Link From argument indicates an OLE link. MPX 1.0 format: If you are saving in MPX 1.0 format, this record is not written. Comments - 0 These records can be used to add comments to the file and can appear in any position in the file. Each Comments record must begin with a "0."