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Dynamic Date Range Filter

6 replies [Last post]
Thu, 2009-06-04 08:32
Mal Leadbetter
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I am trying to create a filter that selects activities that have a start/finish dates -1month and +2 months around the status day.

I could use a custom field which equals yes/no based upon the above criteria but I do not know how to programme this

This filter will be used to create a updating layout where the users update activities in a specific time window.

I know you can use the date range filter, but I would like to remove the need for this as a manual entry and have a layout that simply have the 3 month period for users to focus on

Thanks in advance
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Fri, 2009-06-05 07:01
#1
Rafael Davila
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Joined: 1 Mar 2004
Posts: 5241
Groups: Spider Project Team
Mal,

As part of my learning process I revised the file as per Trevor’s comments.

You all can take a look at it and download from the following link.

http://rapidshare.com/files/241080858/DD_Filter_r1.mpp

A comment on my choice for ES/EF dates instead of other fields would be appreciated, take a look at my filter definition, if it is ok, great, let me know. But we might be missing some AS/AF activities for the period, what about Start and Finish fields I do not have on P3?

For a Lookahead ES/EF should be enough but I believe not necesarily in MS Project when looking at prior to Update Date, the filter might be unfinished. In P3 ES/EF is set to be equal to AS/AF after updating, what about MS Project?

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Fri, 2009-06-05 06:41
#2
Mal Leadbetter
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Rafael / Trevor

Thanks for the help

Rafael, cannot download file as underable to access from work, will try at home later

Regards

Mal
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Fri, 2009-06-05 06:30
#3
Rafael Davila
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Joined: 1 Mar 2004
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Trevor

Thanks for the advice; I did all changes as per your recommendations. As you can see I am a rookie at MS Project. Essentially all you just said is new to me even when there is an equivalent on P3 and SureTrak, very rookie indeed.

I am having some trouble with how MS Project assigns constraints by its own, maybe an option could toggle off the automatic assignment, here any advice also welcomed. In SureTrack constraints are only applied on purpose, you can even control this so when dragging activity bars (task bars) constraints are not applied but a Dialog Box warns and give you the option. MS Project 2010 will have a new field, called mode task where you will be able to set your Task to be either Manually Scheduled or Auto Scheduled.

I don’t know yet if we will end up using MS Project but better start running sooner than latter. We are struggling with old Primavera Products P3 and Suretrak no longer supported, we do not like P6, we have non-negotiable differences with the approach so we will never use it unless contractually forced to do so.

This weekend I can buy a book on MS Project at a local Book Store, there are books and there are books, if you have a favorite that stand up against the others just let me know. A book for intermediate users please, for the basics I can start with any.

I eventually will have questions of my own I will post at PP.

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Fri, 2009-06-05 00:32
#4
Trevor Rabey
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I saw your file at rapidshare.
You have not re-named the fields.
You should do so. Tools
You have given them a Title but this is not the same as a name. A Title is only good as a column heading in the Table in which you make it.

Also, you have inserted the columns in the Entry Table. Generally, this is not a good idea. It’s bad housekeeping. You are better off making a new table with a name starting with "AA" or underscore, so it goes to the top of the list and you can identify your new ones from the built-in ones.

You have also changed the formatting of the Gantt Chart View. Again, same reason, better to make a new View, special name etc, and leave the original alone.

You have a date constraint and a calendar applied to the second task. Both are unnecessary, and the date constraint especially should be avoided.
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Thu, 2009-06-04 13:51
#5
Rafael Davila
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I created a filter as per Trevor strategy but a little bit further, you can download it from the following link.

http://rapidshare.com/files/240832305/DD_Filter.mpp

Date Formulas do not use calendars but sequential numbers very much as if Microsoft Excel; one month = 31 days max, while two months = 62 days max as July and August have 31 days each.

I am using Early Start and Early Finish Dates but you can customize it to your convenience.

DD=Data Date as in SureTrak=Status Date as in MS Project

Sorry a SureTrak invader into the Domain of others. I am using your questions as a way to learn MS Project. A book would be boring.

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Thu, 2009-06-04 09:44
#6
Trevor Rabey
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Ok, easy.
You want something like the Date Range Filter but you don’t want it to ask for the dates and for them be supplied by the user.
Also, you don’t want to put the dates themselves into the Value criteria of the filter because they will change.
The dates might be, say, Status Date and Status Date + 20 Days, so this 20 window will move as the Status Date changes.

Where can the filter get the dates from?
Well, it could get them from fields and the fields can have formulae in them.

Tools, Customize Fields.
Use the Start1 field, rename it S_Date or similar ("Status Date" is a reserved name) and put a formula in it, [Status Date].
Then use the Finish1 field and put a formula in it, [Status Date] +20.

Then copy the Date Range Filter, give the copy a distinctive name like "AA 20 day window" and change the Value to Start1 and Finish1.

Hope this helps.

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