With the introduction of new intuitive and user-friendly Export to Excel (Beta), the older technology of the Excel import and export interface will be deactivated in all systems on March 31st, 2022. In combination with the Quick Imports, this new Export to Excel (Beta) feature with further planned improvements will replace the old Excel Template. Find all details below.

• What Will Be Discontinued
• Which Features Will Replace the Excel Template
• Existing Features
• Upcoming Features
• What Do I Have to Do

What Will Be Discontinued

In the Portfolio Designer under Import and Export, you will no longer find the options Import from Excel and Export to Excel:

Under Manage > Data Sources, you will no longer be able to select Excel as a data source:

In new trial systems, the Excel Template will be deactivated as soon as the Quick Import for Allocation Matrix has been released. For all existing Meisterplan systems, the Excel Template will be deactivated on March 31st, 2022.

Which Features Will Replace the Excel Template

With the discontinuation of the Excel Template, you will still be able to import and export data from and into Meisterplan. Some features are already available, others will be added before the discontinuation.

Existing Features

The new Export to Excel (Beta), in combination with Quick Imports allow you to import and export data via Excel. With these features you will also benefit from options not found with the soon to be deprecated Excel Template such as:

Exporting to Excel

• Control what data you want to export by first setting the date range, portfolio and scenario and then selecting the data you need.
• Exported data files are easier to understand and work with because they do not contain technical IDs or macros. You no longer need to configure your firewall to allow macros when exporting data.
• Share data with colleagues in a format that is easy to read and process for quality checks.

Importing from Excel

• Improved error validation including direct editing when importing.
• Update any scenario you have the right to edit.
• Import from any spreadsheet format, not just MS Excel.

New Options

• All Allocations units are supported (FTE, days, hours).
• Track all changes post-export in the change log.
• Allow more colleagues to maintain and export their own data in Meisterplan based on their current user rights.

Upcoming Features

To adequately replace the functionalities of the soon-to-be deprecated export and import using the Excel Template, we will release the following features before deactivating it:

• Project and Resource Keys:  Improved process reliability with unique identifiers that support managing identifiers from external tools
• Quick Import for Allocation Matrix: Gain flexibility with an additional allocation import option by adding or updating allocations from a time grid (matrix)

What Do I Have to Do

I do not use the Excel Template:

• There is nothing you need to do.

I use the Excel Template for backing up data:

• Try out the new Export to Excel (Beta) that allows you to select the data you need for exporting.
• You can also use the Reporting API to export data into MS Excel.
• Or you can check out our improved  REST API with new options we've implemented this year.

I use the Excel Template for reporting and further analyzing the data:

• Try out the Reporting API for exporting data into MS Excel.
• You can also use the new Export to Excel (Beta) that allows you to select only the data you need.
• Or you can check out our improved REST API with new options we've implemented this year.

I use the Excel Template to forward data to colleagues for QA checks and updating:

• Try out the new Export to Excel (Beta) in combination with our Quick Imports (especially once the upcoming features have been released); the new Export to Excel (Beta) allows you to select only the data you need to avoid mistakes by importing too much data.
• You can also allow your colleagues direct access to Meisterplan and limit their edit and access rights by configuring their user groups.

I use the Excel Template for updating data:

• Try out the new Export to Excel (Beta) in combination with our Quick Imports (especially once the upcoming features have been released); the new Export to Excel (Beta) even allows you to select only the data you need to avoid mistakes by importing too much data.
• Or you can check out our improved REST API with new options we've implemented this year.

I use the Excel Template for importing new projects, resources etc.:

• Try out our Quick Imports (especially once the upcoming features have been released) for easy bulk importing of data from any kind of spreadsheet using copy and paste.
• If you are using the old Excel Template to regularly import data from third-party systems, we strongly recommend to switch to our reliable  REST API.