Adding the custom fields in MS Project Pro

Contents:

1. Add the custom fields in MS Project Pro
2. Add the lookup table in the custom field in MS Project Pro
3. Add the formula in the custom field in MS Project Pro
4. Chat

Add the custom fields in MS Project Pro

You can create custom fields to capture additional information about a project in MS Project Pro.

All custom fields in the system are divided into the following types:

• Cost.
• Date.
• Duration.
• Finish.
• Flag.
• Number
• Start.
• Text.
• Outline code.

The number of custom fields of each type is no more than ten. You can set up custom fields separately for tasks and resources.

Steps to set up custom fields:

1. Click the "Project" item in the top menu.
2. Click the "Custom Fields" button in the "Properties" group.
3. Select the type of item in the "Field". You can choose three items: "Task", "Resource" and "Project".
4. Select the type of field in the "Type:" field.
5. Click the "Rename ..." button and enter the name of new column in the opened window.
6. If you choose the numeric type ("Cost", "Date", "Duration", "Finish", "Flag", "Number", "Start"), you can set the calculation for the field.
7. Choose the calculation in the "Rollup:" field in the "Calculation for task and group summary rows" block.
8. If you want to use a formula for the calculation click on the "Use formula" box. 
9. For calculation a assignment data click the "Roll down unless manually entered" in the "Calculation for assignment rows" block. Assignment values will be calculated automatically.
10. Click the "Ok" button.

Add the lookup table in the custom field in MS Project Pro

You can use the list of data in the custom field. If you choose the "Outline Code" type, you can add more then one level of the list.

Steps to add the list of data in the custom field:

1. Click the "Lookup ..." in the "Custom attributes" block.
2. If you choose the "Outline Code" type, click the "Edit Musk ..." in the "Code mask (optional)" block. Select the type ("Sequence" field) and length ("Lenght" field) of characters in each level. Click the "Ok" button. 
3. Enter the name of the list item in the "Value" field. You can add the description of the list item in the "Description" field (this field is optional).
4. Click the "Display indenting in lookup table" box you can show the indenting in the lookup table.
5. The field can be filled in automatically if you choose the default value. Select an item in the list and click the "Use a value from the table as the default entry for the field" box. Click the "Set Default" button.
6. Choose the sort type in the "Display order for lookup table" block.
7. If you select the "Allow only codes that have no subordinate values" check box, users will be able to enter a new list item.