PRJ2000: Material Resource Changes to Work Resource if You Copy a Task Between Files (256711)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Project 2000
This article was previously published under Q256711

SYMPTOMS

In Microsoft Project 2000, when you copy a task that has a material resource assigned and then paste the task into another project, the material resource may be converted to a work resource. In addition, the Units value for the material resource assignment may be converted to a percentage value.

CAUSE

This behavior can occur if the material resource assigned to the copied task does not already exist in the second project.

When a new resource is created by pasting in a new task that the resource is assigned to, only the resource name and the integer value of the assignment Units for the task are inserted into the project. The Type field for the new resource is set to Work (the default value for a new resource), and the integer value of the task assignment Units is converted to the equivalent percentage value.

For example, if the material resource's assignment Units for the task in the original project is 5 tons, the assignment Units in the pasted task is converted to 500 percent (5 whole units of the new work resource that is created).

WORKAROUND

To work around this behavior, create the material resource in the second project before you paste the new task. To do this, follow these steps:
  1. In the original project, on the View menu, click Resource Sheet.
  2. Select the material resource that is assigned to the task that you want to copy.
  3. On the Project menu, click Resource Information.

    Make a note of the Resource name, Initials, and Label.
  4. On the Project menu, click Gantt Chart.
  5. Select the task that you want to copy, and then on the Edit menu, click Copy.
  6. Open the project into which you want to paste the task.
  7. On the View menu, click Resource Sheet.
  8. Click the first blank row of the resource sheet, and then on the Project menu, click Resource Information.
  9. In the Resource Type box, click Material.
  10. Type the resource name, initials, and label exactly as they appear in the original project. Click OK.

    NOTE: The Costs tab is not available until you close the Resource Information dialog box. If you want to enter values in the cost rate tables for the resource, first close and then reopen the Resource Information dialog box.
  11. On the View menu, click Gantt Chart.
  12. Click the row where you want to paste the task.
  13. On the Edit menu, click Paste.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:10/17/2002
Keywords:kbbug KB256711
©2002 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.