Microsoft Project Calculations in Fields

Calculations in fields

If you wish to store data that is not already calculated, then a formula can be used on a customised field.

The cost field holds the total cost for a task, the fixed cost holds just the fixed cost but there is not a resource cost (in the task fields).

The resource cost can be calculated.

1.     Menu, Tools, Customize, Fields

2.     Select type of field required and then select the field

3.     Click on Rename button and enter name required

4.     Click on Formula

5.     Enter the formula, this can be typed in if you know the field names or by selecting from the Field list where you choose the category of fields.

If the formula is more complex then functions can be added again either by typing or by choosing from the button. (If formulae of this complexity need to be entered then it would be useful to know how functions work in Microsoft Excel.)

6.     On clicking OK after entering the formula a warning pops up letting you know that any data that has been entered will be lost if you accept the changes.

7.     Decide h07434822281ow the calculation is to be done on the summary row.

Is it a good idea to use the formula on the summary row in this example?

8.     Where the answer is required display the field as data

9.     Click on OK

 

To actually display the data, the field needs to be added to a table.

Microsoft Project Changing a View

Changing a View

To change to a standard view

1.     Menu, View

2.     Select view required.

This allows the user to select views that have been set up in the menu system.

To see the complete list views that are available in Project, you need to go to the More Views option in the Menu.

This shows all of the views that are available.

Microsoft Project Creating new fields in a Table

Creating new fields in a table

Simple new fields can be created in the table definition.

The fields can be added to the field name by choosing one of the appropriate type of field and the name that it is to be known by under the name column. If filters are to be set up on the data in this field then the field name is used in the filter not the name.

The field is to be used in several different locations then it is possible to rename the field to the name that you want it to be known as. By doing this then the field can be selected by either the original field or by the “new name”.

To Rename Field

1.     Menu, Tools, Customize, Fields

2.     Select type of field required and then select the field

3.     Click on Rename button and enter name required

 

By renaming the field, the field can be selected by either the original field name or by the “new name”.