Introduction
Project Planner role (XPP-OC) provides you the capability to export and import projects.
I can think of a few reasons why this might be helpful for you:
- Import allows to turn static files into dynamic online projects
- Using import, you can create new plans in much faster manner
- Why to reinvent the wheel every time you start a new project?
You can use the file as a template to set up projects without having to start from scratch every time. - Export projects to work on the project offline and import it back to the platform to make incremental updates
Do you know other reasons?
Please share them with us through the post comments below.
How to export a project
To export a project, use the ‘Export’ command, available in the Project Properties panel:
The exported file can be saved in a CSV format. The file name consists of the project name and the export date:
This is how the exported CSV file looks like:
How to import a project
To import a project available in a CSV format:
- Select the ‘Import Project’ in the Project Planning Home Page
- Browse and select the CSV file
- Select ‘ Import as a new project’ if you want to create a new project
- Select ‘Update existing project’ if you did offline modifications in the CSV file and you want to update the existing project.
CSV File Syntax
The bellow table contains some tips and important information about the import CSV file:
Column name | Required/ | Relevant at Creation / Update | Tips & Notes |
Level | Required | Represents the tree structure of the project. The value for the root project must be 0 or empty and the root project must appear in first line. | |
Name | Required | Free text used as the project element's Title | |
Type | Required | The first line must be the root project | |
Dependencies | Optional | Only at creation | Constraints can only be set between Tasks and Milestones, not Projects. |
State | Optional | ‘Open’ state will be set by default in case of empty or incorrect value | |
% | Optional | An integer indicating the percentage of completion of a Task. | |
Duration | Required | Required for tasks. Not required for Milestones | |
Duration Offset | Optional | The duration offset value should be less than or equal to the duration value | |
Fixed Start | Optional | Different behavior | A TRUE value sets the date as fixed. |
Actual Start Date | Optional | Some date syntax is potentially confusing; therefore, it is recommended to use the ISO date standard. | |
Estimated Start Date | Required | ||
Fixed End | Optional | Different behavior | Same as Fixed Start |
Actual End Date | Optional | Same as Actual Start date | |
Estimated End Date | Required | ||
Owner | Optional | The login of the person who owns the element. | |
Assignees | Optional | Only at creation | Only persons, who have launched the ‘Project Planning’ app at least once, or member of at least one project, or assigned to at least one task, can be assigned through import. |
Description | Optional | Free text used as the project element's Description | |
Priority | Optional | ‘Medium’ priority will be set by default in case of empty or incorrect value | |
URI | Optional | Only at update | Used to identify the corresponding object when updating. |
External Id | Optional | Only at update | The external Id column is used for importing projects from an external system. |
External System | Optional | It is highly recommended always to have an External System value when you have an External Id. |
The following video illustrates how to work with export / import project :
