Question

Custom Task Report

Asked by: locopixel

I've been trying to figure out how to make a custom report in MS Project 2007.  I've clicked on Report > Reports > Custom > New >Task but the optins are so limited.  You can't choose the fields you want to see, multiple filters, group by etc.  

What I want is to see is a report showing selected task fields (task name, finish date, % complete, resource) for all tasks where % complete is less than 100%, sorted by finish date.  I also might want to see the same report for only one selected resource.

Anyone know how to do this?

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Asked On
2009-10-07 at 13:23:48ID24793886
Tags

MS Project

,

report

Topic

Microsoft Project Project Management Software

Participating Experts
1
Points
500
Comments
6

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Answers

 

by: dbase118Posted on 2009-10-13 at 20:40:00ID: 25567057

Unfortunately within Project you are spot on about the limitations. There is no true ad hoc report generator. Usually if I really have to build something custom I will export the data to Excel or MS Access to generate the reports. I prefer Access since it has the most flexibility when it comes to querying and structuring reports,

Im sure you could create this View in Project and have it onscreen but if you are looking for a printable "report" you are somewhat lmited to the canned structures with some customization.

 

by: locopixelPosted on 2009-10-14 at 08:23:46ID: 25571608

Actually I would be just as happy with an on screen view.  I have been trying to generate one with the filters and sort criteria above but it seems so limited.  I can't figure out how to apply a sort criteria to a saved view.  The only option I can find is to apply it from the Project > Sort menu after the view has been chosen.  Is there no way to specify the sort in the definition of the view?

The other problem I've been having is that the tasks which show up on my custom view seem to depend on what tasks were showing in the view I was looking at previously.  If I have some tasks collapsed in one view and then I choose my custom view I don't get all the tasks I should.  Very weird.

 

by: dbase118Posted on 2009-10-15 at 08:04:52ID: 25581298

I was unable to find away to add a sort to the View definition. It does appear that the sort has to be applied after the fact in MS Project.

When you create your custom views are you using the NEW button or COPY button in the VIEWS dialog box?

 

by: locopixelPosted on 2009-10-15 at 08:55:09ID: 25581869

I can't remember exactly but I suspect that I used the COPY button.  Does that link the 2 views together somehow?

 

by: dbase118Posted on 2009-10-15 at 08:57:42ID: 25581892

Yes, I believe COPY bases you new view on a copy of an existing one in this case the Gantt. The NEW button should allow you to get  a completely FRESH view with all tasks which you can then apply the appropriate filters to. When you go to VIEWS...MORE VIEWS you should see both buttons on the right hand side of the box.

 

by: locopixelPosted on 2009-10-15 at 09:23:45ID: 25582169

Ok, that would explain things.  However, I created a new view based on Screen = Gantt, table = entry, group=no group, filter=all tasks and it still seems tied to the other view.  If I go into the old view and collapse all tasks and then go into the new view I see no filtered tasks.  If I go into the old view and show all tasks and then go into the new view I see the proper list of filtered tasks.  

Am I doing something wrong?

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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