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How to bring automated alphamuneric Activity ID in MSP2013

2 replies [Last post]
Sat, 2015-07-18 09:48
Vignesh S
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Joined: 29 Apr 2015
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I want MSP to assign unique activity ID, whenever I insert or create a new activity. Also, I want the same to be alphanumeric the template of which shall be given at start of the project. i.e.,if i giv P0001 for the first activity, rest should get generated on its own?. Is it possible

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Tue, 2015-07-21 08:06
#1
Vignesh S
User offline. Last seen 7 years 13 weeks ago. Offline
Joined: 29 Apr 2015
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Thanks a lot Tom. Your 2nd option is the one which i was looking for. I was aware of the options 1st and 4th but it was not useful for my requirement. Your 2nd & 3rd suggestions were exactly what i was expecting 

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Mon, 2015-07-20 20:38
#2
Tom Boyle
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Joined: 28 Nov 2006
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Hi Vignesh,

Yes it is possible.

1. MSP's Unique ID field already exists as the unique identifier for a task.  It is a simple read-only index number that you cannot manipulate.

2. For the situation you describe, you can create a new Custom Field of type "Text" and name of "NewUID" for example.  Then have the values for "NewUID" computed automatically by using a formula to combine your "P" prefix with the "Unique ID" field. Here is the formula: NewUID = "P" & [Unique ID].  You could add your "NewUID" field to any view's table as needed.  Since it is based on the Unique ID field, it's guaranteed to have no duplicates within your single project.

3. If you are looking for more of an intelligent-ID code, then you could experiment with using other text fields or an outline-code field as a prefix in place of the "P" above.  At that point, you may be tempted to abandon the Unique ID in favor of some other numbering scheme that gives you more control over the sequencing.  Then you may need to write some vba code (i.e. macro) help with the sequence numbering and checking for duplicates.

4. In addition to Unique ID, MSP also provides a hierarchical "WBS" structure that allows for defined code prefixes at each level (e.g. your "P" prefix) and provides/forces a single unique WBS value for each task in the schedule.  (This is automatic, so you don't need vba.)  I rarely use this. 

Good luck, tmb

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