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Data Import with an Excel Data Source

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Stefan Schneider
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This article describes how to import data into Meisterplan using an Excel data source.

For more details about the Excel import and export, see the Excel Import and Export article.

Adding an Excel Data Source

Proceed as follows to add an Excel data source in the Data Sources view under Manage:

  • In the left hand sidebar, under Manage, open the Data Sources view.
  • Click the Add Data Source button to open the selection of available data sources.
  • Select Excel to add an Excel data source.

Excel Data Source Settings

add_datasource_en.PNG

Name: the default name for Excel data sources is "Excel". Rename the data source if you are using multiple Excel data sources.

Excel File: click the button with the folder icon to select the Excel file to import data from. This should be a previously downloaded Excel template you have filled with data or a previously exported Excel file you have modified.

Excel Template: click the associated download button to download the current template file for importing data from Excel.

Importing Data Using an Excel Data Source: once you have selected an import file and defined Import Rules as desired on the associated tab, click OK to close and save the import settings. You will be asked whether the plan of record should be updated. Click Yes to confirm the import or No to cancel. To prevent changes made to your data in Meisterplan being overwritten by re-importing an old Excel file, the selection will be cleared after closing and saving the import settings. To apply changes made to the Excel file after initially importing data from it, you have to reopen that file. You can also select a file and directly start the import by clicking the folder icon in the list item of the Excel data source in the Data Sources tab.

Use Case 1: Clearing All Data and Starting New with Data from Microsoft Excel

A common use case for starters is to restart planning with new data. The following steps explain how to delete all existing data in Meisterplan and import new data from the Microsoft Excel template.

  1. Add a new Excel data source.
  2. Download the Excel import template and enter your data as described on the Excel Import and Export page.
  3. Configure Import Rules:
    • Select Allow editing of global project data and deleting of imported projects in Meisterplan to enable editing of global fields of the imported projects in the Edit Project window as well as deleting of imported projects. The start and end dates as well as allocations, milestones, dependencies and financials of imported projects can still be edited in Meisterplan even if this option is not selected.
    • Select all entities from projects to calendars.
    • Set Update to All for each entity.
    • Set Delete to All for each entity.
  4. Upload the Excel data file and import the data.
  5. Result: Only data from the Excel template is available in Excel. Old data was deleted.

Note: The Import Rules configuration is good for a first import. If you make changes in Meisterplan and import the same Excel sheet again it works like a reset and you lose your changes (e.g. new created projects). Use Case 2 shows how to keep changes made in Meisterplan.

import_rules_ALL_en.PNG

Use Case 2: Working in Meisterplan and Importing Updates from Microsoft Excel

A common use case when planning with Meisterplan is to work in Meisterplan and also update some information from an external source. The following steps explain how to configure the Import Rules to keep changes made in Meisterplan and additionally import data by using the Excel data source.

  1. Add a new Excel data source.
  2. Download the Excel import template and enter your data as described on the Excel Import and Export page.
  3. Configure Import Rules:
    • Select the Allow editing of project properties in Meisterplan option to enable editing global fields of the imported projects in the Edit Project window and deleting of imported projects. The start and end dates as well as allocations, milestones, dependencies and financials of imported projects can still be edited in Meisterplan even if this option is not selected.
    • Select all entities from projects to calendars.
    • Set Update to Own for each entity.
    • Set Delete to Own for each entity.
  4. Upload the Excel Data File and import the data.
  5. Result:
    • Projects created in Meisterplan will not be deleted.
    • When a project imported via Excel is changed in Meisterplan, a new import will not overwrite the changes.
    • Only projects originally imported from Excel and not changed in Meisterplan will be updated.
    • New projects from the Excel sheet will be added to Meisterplan.

Note: This configuration makes Meisterplan the leading data source. Changes made to a project in the Excel sheet will not be imported if the project was also changed in Meisterplan.

import_rules_en.PNG

Import Troubleshooting

  1. I still see old data.
    Possible solution: In the Import Rules, set the Delete column to All for all entities you want to delete.
  2. My imported projects seem to have no allocated resources. 
    Possible Solution: Move the cut-off line to the bottom to display all existing allocation data in the histogram.
  3. I don’t want to use Microsoft Excel. How can I import my data? 
    Possible Solution: Use the Meisterplan Webservice to import data.

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