Data Exchange Between FastTrack Schedule and Microsoft Project

Data Exchange Between FastTrack Schedule and Microsoft Project

Table of Contents... 3 Data Exchange Methods... 3 Opening MPP Files... 3 Exchanging Data Through XML... 4 Exchanging Data Through MPX... 4 Project Converter... 5 FastTrack Schedule 9 to Microsoft Project Data Exchange... 6 Microsoft Project to FastTrack Schedule 9 Data Exchange... 7

Data Exchange Between FastTrack Schedule and Microsoft Project AEC Software provides a variety of methods and solutions for exchanging data between FastTrack Schedule and Microsoft Project. This document will illustrate the multiple options for transferring data between these two popular project management applications, and will provide detailed information about the technology utilized to transfer data. Data Exchange Methods Transferring project information between FastTrack Schedule and Microsoft Project is possible through MPP, XML, and MPX file formats as well as through custom solutions developed by AEC Software. FastTrack Schedule 9 now opens Microsoft Project MPP files directly. This is the fastest and most convenient means of acquiring data from a Microsoft Project file. Data exchange between these two popular project managers is also possible through XML and MPX file formats. FastTrack Schedule supports the capability to Save As and Open XML and MPX file types. While FastTrack Schedule 9 supports both XML and MPX files, not all versions of Microsoft Project support these file formats. In fact, one version of Microsoft Project (Microsoft Project 2000) supports only importing MPX files. It is therefore important for users to identify the version of Microsoft Project they are interacting with, which will determine the ideal file format and AEC Software solution to use for exchanging data between the two programs. This document will demonstrate four data exchange methods, relative to the various versions of Microsoft Project, for easy data transfer with FastTrack Schedule 9. Opening MPP Files MPP is Microsoft Project s proprietary file format for storing project data. FastTrack Schedule 9 now opens Microsoft Project MPP files. Opening MPP files in FastTrack Schedule 9 is the quickest and most convenient way to acquire data from a Microsoft Project file. Opening MPP files is the recommended method for easily transferring data from Microsoft Project 2003, 2002, 2000, and 98 files into FastTrack Schedule 9. Open MPP files in FastTrack Schedule 9 through the File > Open dialog. Where opening MPP files does not yield acceptable results, it is suggested that data exchange be accomplished through XML. Page 3

Exchanging Data Through XML Extensible Markup Language (XML) is the universal format for data on the Web. XML is a plain text, Unicode-based meta-language: a language for defining markup languages. XML provides access to many technologies for manipulating, structuring, transforming, and querying data. XML is the recommended file format for transferring data between Microsoft Project 2003/2002 files and FastTrack Schedule 9. Create XML files in Microsoft Project 2003/2002 by navigating to the File Menu > Save As > and in the Save as type dropdown list, choose XML format. Create XML files in FastTrack Schedule 9 by navigating to the File Menu > Export > Data as Microsoft Project XML. Open XML files in both Microsoft Project 2003 and 2002, and FastTrack Schedule 9 through the File> Open menu. Exchanging Data Through MPX The Microsoft Project Exchange (MPX) file format is a record-formatted text file containing project data in ASCII text format. The MPX file format allows users 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. MPX is the recommended file format for transferring data between Microsoft Project 98/4.0 files and FastTrack Schedule 9. Beginning with Version 2000, Microsoft Project supports opening MPX files but not Saving As. Create MPX files in Microsoft Project 98 and 4.0 by navigating to the File Menu > Save As > and in the Save as type choose MPX 4.0 format. Create MPX files in FastTrack Schedule 9 by navigating to the File Menu > Export > Data as MPX. Open MPX files in both Microsoft Project 2003 and 2002, and FastTrack Schedule 9 through the File > Open menu. Page 4

Project Converter AEC Software s Project Converter is a free online service offering enhanced data exchange between FastTrack Schedule and Microsoft Project. Through an easy four-step process, the Projector Converter converts Microsoft Project files into FastTrack Schedule files. The Project Converter supports MPP files from Microsoft Project 2003, 2002, 2000, and 98. Users can upload up to three Microsoft Project files simultaneously for conversion. Once uploaded, AEC Software s online servers convert the Microsoft Project files into FastTrack Schedule 9 files and return the converted files to users via email. The Project Converter is the recommended solution for transferring data from all Microsoft Project files (except Microsoft Project 4.0) into FastTrack Schedule files. Use of the Project Converter is free, and it does not require the installation or licensing of either Microsoft Project or FastTrack Schedule. For more information about AEC Software s Project Converter, visit http://convert.aecsoftware.com. Page 5

FastTrack Schedule 9 to Microsoft Project Data Exchange Project 2003 Save file as XML Project 2002 FastTrack Schedule 9 Save file as MPX Project 2000 Project 98 Project 4.0 Page 6

Microsoft Project to FastTrack Schedule 9 Data Exchange Project 2003 Project 2002 Open the MPP file Project 2000 Project 98 FastTrack Schedule 9 Save file as MPX Project 4.0 AEC Software s Project Converter, a free online service, can also be used for exchanging data between all versions of Microsoft Project (except Project 4.0) and FastTrack Schedule 9. Page 7