PRJ98: Merging MPX File Causes Imported Data Error Several Times (179132)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Project 98 for Windows
This article was previously published under Q179132

SYMPTOMS

In Microsoft Project 98, if you merge a file into a project, you may receive the following error:
The imported data does not match the destination field type. There is invalid data in the source file on row 0 column 3. "2" is not a valid entry for Resource Unique ID. To continue importing with additional error messages, click Yes. To continue importing with no error messages, click No. To stop the import operation, click Cancel.
NOTE: The numbers shown in your error message may differ.

If you click Yes, you receive the same error message four additional times with the same row and column numbers.

NOTE: After you click Yes in all five dialog boxes, the deleted resources reappear in the resource sheet, but are not assigned to any tasks.

CAUSE

This error occurs when you merge an MPX file into the currently open file and all of the following conditions are true:

  1. You delete resources in the active project that were assigned to tasks.
  2. You have not closed the active project since deleting the resources.
  3. You merge an MPX file into the active project using a custom macro or custom menu, and the MPX file contains the resources you deleted and their task assignments.

WORKAROUND

If you have inadvertently deleted the resources and have not saved the project file since deleting them, you can simply close the file without saving. If you have changes that you want to save, follow these steps:

  1. On the View menu, click Resource Sheet.
  2. Click the ID field of one of the resources you deleted.
  3. On the Edit menu, click Delete Resource.
  4. Repeat steps 2-3 for each resource you had previously deleted.
  5. On the File menu, click Close, and when prompted to save the file click Yes. Save the file as a default Microsoft Project (MPP) file.
  6. Reopen the project file you just saved.
  7. Open the MPX file using your custom macro or custom menu to merge the MPX file with the project file. Notice that you do not get any errors this time and the resources are assigned to the correct tasks.
  8. On the File menu, click Save As. Select Microsoft Access 8.0 Database in the Save As Type list, and then click Save.
  9. In the Export Format dialog box, click Selective data (allows you to export particular fields) and then click New Map.
  10. Under Data To Import/Export, click to select the Tasks, Resources, and Assignments check boxes.
  11. Click the Task Mapping tab and then click Base On Table.
  12. In the Task Tables list, click Export and then click OK.
  13. Click the Resource Mapping tab and then click the Base On Table.
  14. In the Resource Tables list, click Export and then click OK.
  15. Click the Assignment Mapping tab and then click Add All.
  16. Scroll through the From:Microsoft Project Field column to select the Unique ID field.
  17. Click Delete Row.
  18. In the Import/Export Map Name box, type a new map name or leave the default name. Click OK.
  19. In the Import/Export Format dialog box, click Save. Microsoft Project should save the file using the same name as your project, but with an MDB extension.
  20. On the File menu, click Open.
  21. In the Files Of Type list box, click Microsoft Access Databases.
  22. Click to select the Microsoft Access database file you just saved and then click Open. The database file should have the same name as your project file.
  23. In the Import Format dialog box, select the map you saved it with and click Open.
  24. On the File menu, click Save As.
  25. Click Save, and then click OK if prompted to replace the existing file.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the versions of Microsoft Project listed above.

MORE INFORMATION

The MPX file contains Unique IDs for resources and resource assignments. If you delete a resource that is assigned to tasks, the Unique ID of the resources and assignments are removed from the project file and are no longer valid for use. If you then merge such an MPX file, the project file becomes corrupted.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:10/17/2002
Keywords:kbbug KB179132
©2002 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.