Import unit price analysis (UPA) from a construction budgeting software to Microsoft Project

Javier Toledo Rivero,

I'm not sure what you mean by "unit price analysis" as it applies to resources, but generally, yes, if resource data is in Excel, it can be imported either via an import map or with a VBA macro.

If you can elaborate in more detail, then we can give a more definitive answer. An example would help.

Also, please tell us what version of Project you are using (i.e. standalone desktop, Project Online, Project for the Web, etc.).

John

Hello John,

Thanks for your answer. Unit price analysis means the resources (materials, workforce and equipment) needed for a specific task in construction, for example "conventional concrete block"

What I need is to import all this information as resources into the specific tasks in project. Adding the resources manually to the task takes too much time and gives room for human error.

Is this possible?

Thanks again!

Javier,

this just the routine problem of taking data from a typical Bill of Quantities spreadsheet and getting it into MSP so that it can be used there as resources to be assigned to tasks.

You don't even have to "import" it.

In the resource sheet view, make a new table or add some custom fields as columns to the entry table (but better to make a new table), and arrange them to match the columns in the spreadsheet. Some of the columns will be custom text fields and some will be number or currency type fields. Then just copy the whole spreadsheet, or big chunks of it at a time, and paste it straight in. You may need to tidy up the spreadsheet a bit (you won't need the section headings), and then tidy up the result in MSP a bit, but it is a piece of cake. Have you tried that?

Hello Trevor,

Thanks for your answer! Yes, I know how to copy to the resource sheet, what I need is the next level. What I´m looking for is a way to copy (or import) all the resources needed for a specific task to that task itself in MSP (with quantities and costs). Copy all the resources and then assign them to every task takes a looong time when it´s a big project.

Is there any way to do that?

Regards!

Javier T.

Javier T,

A simple copy and paste isn't going to get you there. What you show in your Excel screen shot appears to be two different types of resources, material and work, although it's not quite clear if the equipment is owned or leased.

There are basically two ways to automate the process of importing your Excel data into Project. One is via an import map. That will require the Excel data to be set up in three separate Worksheets, one for task data, one for resource data, and one for assignment data.

The other method to automate the transfer of Excel data to Project is with VBA.

So, is there a way to do what you want? Yes, but it isn't straightforward.

John