In this article, I will focus on a very simple tip – How to highlight the tasks due this week every time the project plan is opened.
Looks very simple and it is indeed, very simple!
- Click View tab. Click Macros dropdown and select Visual Basic
- In the editor, double click your current project on the left panel.
- Now change the object and procedure to “Project” and “Open”.
- This will include a private sub-routine which will be invoked when the file is opened
- Within this sub-routine, include the below script
- Close the editor, and close the project
- Open the project file, and Project will highlight the incomplete tasks that should be completed by this week.
Claudio Boselli
Hi, I tried using your tip, but I get a run-time error ‘1101’.. The filter “tasks Due This Week” cannot be found. I am using MS Project 2010.
Thanks,
Sai Prasad
Claudio Boselli – This filter is available in Project 2013 and not in earlier versions.
Tim Shaw
That’s a good example of a simple VB routine, Sai. I’d be interested in more such examples.
Without using VB, seems nearly as simple to create a custom filter through the “new” filter menu, with the filter prompting the user for the “due by” date? If one really wanted to apply the filter every time project opened, one could make the view in which the filter is applied the default view.
Fred W
What is the filter criteria for “Tasks Due This Week”?
I also have MS Proj 2010. By creating my own filter, I should be able to run the above macro.
Thanks.
Sai Prasad
Fred – Project 2013 supports predefined filtered values constrants and this is used in this filter definition. Embedded the screenshot of “Tasks Due This Week” filter definition
Sai Prasad
Tasks Due This Week filter definition – http://i.imgur.com/fHzhZVL.png
Sai Prasad
Tim – Good thought. Care should be taken by user to applying the “Tasks Due This Week” filter before closing the file otherwise the last applied filter will be used the next time the file is opened
Hirsh
I too had the filter “tasks Due This Week” cannot be found and am using MS Project 2010.
It would be appreciated of there is a similar way to do this in 2010.
Julianne
This is absolutely the most helpful tip I’ve EVER seen on MPUG. Thank you very much!!!! Please post more. 🙂
homer haynes
I applied the tip and it works. Thanks.
Sai Prasad
Fred and Hirish – In Project 2010 you need create a few custom fields and filter to make this work. Here are the steps
1. Find the week start of the current date: In Gantt Chart, insert the Date1. Right click the column and choose Custom Fields. See this screenshot to rename and apply the formula. http://i.imgur.com/kSUNHhq.png
2. Find the week end of the current date: In Gantt Chart, insert the Date2. Right click the column and choose Custom Fields. See this screenshot to rename and apply the formula. http://i.imgur.com/X3Or1YY.png
3. Create a filter “Tasks Due This Week”. In View ribbon, select Filter dropdown and click New Filter. In Filter Definition dialog box, enter the formula to check if the current finish date is between Date1 and Date2. See this screenshot for details http://i.imgur.com/oT93UUB.png
Devin Smith
Sai, I assume that for the “week end” calculated field, you can replace the “7” with any number and the macro would still function. (i.e. you can use this to make a 2-week look ahead, 30-day look ahead, etc)
Devin Smith
Sai, one additional question? How would the macro need to be changed to support using the Baseline Start/Finish vs the Early Start/Finish? Folks might want to highlight those actions that need greatest emphasis to attempt to get back on track if behind schedule.
Sai Prasad
Devin – yes, you can replace 7 by 14 for two wee!s forecast or 30 for 30 days forecast.
Sai Prasad
Devin – Project includes a filter “Slipping Tasks”. This checks if finish is past the baseline finish. So, you can change filter name in this macro to ” Slipping Tasks”
Ganesh Pai
Excellent tip, Sai!!! Thank you so much!!!