Microsoft Project Filter Design Explained

  

Filter Design Explained

The different parts of a filter are:

1.     Field Name – this is field that needs to be analysed when deciding which tasks need to be selected.

2.     Test –the test that needs to be applied to the field.

3.     Value – the comparison value against which the test needs to be applied.

4.     And / Or – If there is more than one comparison that needs to be made, what logical factor needs to made.

In the example above the filter definition tells us that this filter is made up as:

•      The current cost value is larger than the baseline cost

•      And

•      Baseline Cost does not equal £0.00 (nothing).

This filter will find all the tasks that now cost more than original cost, as long as the baseline as been set.

The second row is necessary, otherwise everything would be over budget if no baseline is set.

Creating a new filter

A new filter can be created by:

1.     Project Menu,

2.     Filtered for

3.     More Filters

4.     Click on the New button on the right hand side of the dialog box This brings up a blank filter definition.

To set up a new filter

1.     Give the filter a relevant name

2.     Decide whether it is to be used regularly. Tick the Show in menu box if necessary.

3.     Choose the field that is going to be used to select the tasks.

4.     Select the appropriate test from the drop down list.

5.     Enter the value to be tested against. (This can be another field, an exact value or a parameter.)

6.     Repeat steps 3 to 5 if more that one comparison is to be made, remember to select the And / Or to define how the different criteria are to interact.

7.     Click OK to go back to the previous screen where the new filter can now be applied or highlighted.