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MSP Automatic unique number generator

5 replies [Last post]
Wed, 2008-03-05 11:02
Bob Foden
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Help please ?

In MSP I need to generate a unique identifier for each activity in a number of plans that has to be in the following alpha numeric format (XYZ-1234)

Currently I’m manually doing this in a text column. Is there a way to get MSP to automatically generate the next available number when activities are added ?

Cheers
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Replies

Tue, 2008-03-25 12:28
#1
Bob Foden
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Hi Alan,

Just found a "problem" with this. The unique ID is fine when you open up just the one project but if you open up a plan and then insert another plan then the unique ID’s in the inserted plan change out of all recognition. They are still unique but appear to bear no resemblance to their namesake when the solitary plan is opened. Any ideas (again) ?

regards

Bob
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Mon, 2008-03-10 07:17
#2
Bob Foden
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Hi Alan,

No I wasn’t aware of that so thanks. This could be just the ticket!!!

Cheers

Bob
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Mon, 2008-03-10 07:04
#3
Alan Phillips
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Hi Bob,
I don’t know if you are aware that there is a field in MSP which is called "unique ID" and that it automatically generates a unique ID number for every activity / task that is added to your schedule. This number cannot be changed. You could therefore add a text field prior to this field for the text part of your unique number and then have the unique id field next to it to show an overall Unique alphanumeric number. Hope this helps. Kind Regards Alan
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Thu, 2008-03-06 07:58
#4
Bob Foden
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Thanks for your response Darren. At least I can now take some comfort in the fact that there wasn’t a simple solution that I was missing. I shall now wait to see if there are any "kind souls" out there !!!

Bob
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Thu, 2008-03-06 07:50
#5
Darren Kosa
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Hi Bob

I initially thought using the WBS code mask would be the most sensible place to start, but I don’t think it will stay within the alphanumeric format you specified.

Each level of granularity would add another suffix rather than increase incrementally, so I think you’re stuck with the text fields unfortunately.

There probably isn’t a way to do this with the standard MS Project package, however, there might a kind soul on the forum who could fashion you a visual basic macro that will suit your purpose.

Alas I’m not smart enough to help in this area, but let me know if you find anything as I’m intrigued to see if you can do this in MSP.

Regards,

Darren
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