MAGNET Project: Import/export schedules with Microsoft Project [VIDEO]

If you started your project in Excel but need to manage more complex schedules, resource sharing, and tracking, you’re probably ready to move your data into Microsoft Project. You can do this by using the Project Import Wizard. Just follow the steps to import the data into a new or existing project, and the wizard automatically maps it to the appropriate MS Project fields.

1. In Microsoft Project, navigate to File > New.

2. On the New page, click New from Excel workbook.

3. In the drop-down menu, select Excel Workbook or Excel 97-2003 Workbook (if your project data is in an earlier file format).

4. Locate and select the workbook you want to import, and click Open.
5. In the Import Wizard, click Next to get started, and follow the steps to complete the import.
   
   1. In step 2, create a map from scratch or pick an available predefined map that matches your data, and click Next.
   2. In step 3, import your data into a new project or the project you have open, and click Next.
   3. In step 4, pick the type of information you're importing so the wizard can map it from Excel to MS Project, and click Next.
   4. In step 5, verify the mapped fields, make adjustments as needed, and click Next.
   5. In the last step, click Save Map if you want to reuse it, and then click Finish.

While Microsoft Project has many built-in reports that let you present all sorts of project data to your stakeholders, you can also export your project data to Excel for in-depth data analysis and visual reporting. In Excel, you can create pivot table reports and charts, and you can use many other features that help you create a more visual report.

You’ll have to map your project data for proper arrangement in Excel, but the Export Wizard will guide you along the way.

1. Go to File > Export > Save Project as File, and under Other File Types, double-click Microsoft Excel Workbook.
   • In MS Project 2010, go to File > Save As, and next to Save as type, click Excel Workbook.

2. In the Save As dialog box, pick a location for the workbook.
3. In the File name box, type the name you want, and click Save.
   • The Export Wizard appears.
4. Click Next to get started.
5. In the Data step, select Selected Data, if it’s not already selected.
6. In the Map step, select New map to create your own data settings for mapping your data from MS Project fields to appropriate Excel fields.

To use a predefined or previously defined map, select Use existing map, and then pick the map you want to use.

7. In the Map Options step, pick the types of data you are exporting and the options you want.
8. In the Task Mapping, Resource Mapping, or Assignment Mapping steps, edit any mapping assumptions that MS Project made, and enter any new mapping fields.
   
   1. In the From column, type or select an MS Project field, and then click Enter.

   2. Use the buttons below the mapping table to insert or remove rows, or apply an MS Project table for mapping.

   3. Use the Move buttons to rearrange fields.

   4. Under Preview, verify the layout of your export map.

9. If needed, pick a specific export filter in the Export filter box.
10. Click Next.
11. On the End of Map Definition step, click Save Map if you want to use it again, and type a name in the Map name box. The new map will be added to the list of predefined maps.
12. Click Finish.