Work values for tasks do not import correctly from an Excel workbook to a Microsoft Project project

When you import new project data from a Microsoft Office Excel workbook, the Work values for tasks do not import correctly into a Microsoft Office Project project file.

This problem may occur if you use one of the following methods to import data:

• You append the Microsoft Excel data to an active project
• You merge the Excel data into an active project.

To work around this problem, when you import data from Excel, you must map the Scheduled_Work field from the workbook to the Text1 field in the project file. After the data is imported, you must copy all the entries in the Text1 column, and then paste them in the Work column.

To create a map for importing, follow these steps:

1. On the File menu, click Open, select the .xls file type, click the Excel file, and then click Open.
2. Click Next, click to select the New map check box, and then click Next.
3. Click to select the Append to Active Project check box, and then Next.
4. Click to select each of the following check boxes, and then click Next:
   • Tasks
   • Resources
   • Assignments
5. On the Task Mapping dialog box, map the unmapped fields for the tasks, resources, and assignments worksheet as follows.
   • Tasks:
     • Effort estimate maps to number20
   • Resources:
     • Resource name maps to name
     • Resource initials maps to initials
   • Assignments:
     • Scheduled Work maps to work
6. Change to the Task Usage view, and then note the following Work values for a 6.25 day task.
7. Insert the Text 1 field.
8. Copy the values in the Text 1 field, and then paste the values in the Work field.

To use an existing map for importing, follow these steps:

1. On the File menu, click Open, select the .xls file type, click the Excel file, and then click Open.
2. Click Next, click to select the Use existing map check box, and then click Next.
3. Select the map that was created for this operation, and then click Next.
4. Make sure that the Append to Active Project check box is selected, and then click Next.
5. Click to select each of the following check boxes, and then click Finish:
   • Tasks
   • Resources
   • Assignments
6. Change to the Task Usage view, and then note the following Work values for a 6.25 day task.
7. Insert the Text 1 field.
8. Copy the values in the Text 1 field, and then paste the values in the Work field.

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section. This problem was corrected in Microsoft Office Project Professional 2003 Service Pack 2.