Save MS Project Files as Templates with Aspose.Tasks

Introduction

In this tutorial, we will walk through the process of saving a template using Aspose.Tasks for .NET. Templates are useful for standardizing project structures and settings for future use. We’ll demonstrate how to save a project as a template, tuning its properties along the way.

Prerequisites

Before we begin, ensure you have the following prerequisites:

1. Aspose.Tasks for .NET Library: Make sure you have the Aspose.Tasks for .NET library installed. You can download it from here.
2. Knowledge of C# Programming: Basic knowledge of C# programming is required to understand and implement the provided code snippets.
3. Microsoft Project File: Have a Microsoft Project file (MPP format) ready that you want to save as a template.

Import Namespaces

using Aspose.Tasks;
using System;

using Aspose.Tasks.Saving;

Step 1: Load Project

First, we need to load the Microsoft Project file (.mpp) that we want to save as a template.

// The path to the documents directory.
String DataDir = "Your Document Directory";
var project = new Project(DataDir + "EstimatedMilestoneTasks.mpp");

Step 2: Get Project File Info

Retrieve information about the loaded project file, such as its format.

var projectFileInfo = Project.GetProjectFileInfo(DataDir + "EstimatedMilestoneTasks.mpp");
Console.WriteLine("Project File Format: " + projectFileInfo.ProjectFileFormat);

Step 3: Configure Save Template Options

Create template save options and configure its properties according to your requirements. These options allow you to customize what data should be removed from the template.

var options = new SaveTemplateOptions
{
	// Remove all fixed costs from the project template
	RemoveFixedCosts = true,
	// Remove all actual values from the project template
	RemoveActualValues = true,
	// Remove resource rates from the project template
	RemoveResourceRates = true,
	// Remove all baseline values from the project template
	RemoveBaselineValues = true
};

Step 4: Save Project as Template

Save the project as a template with the specified options.

project.SaveAsTemplate(DataDir + "SaveProjectDataAsTemplate_out.mpt", options);

Step 5: Get Template File Info

Retrieve information about the saved template file, such as its format.

var templateFileInfo = Project.GetProjectFileInfo(DataDir + "SaveProjectDataAsTemplate_out.mpt");
Console.WriteLine("Project File Format: " + templateFileInfo.ProjectFileFormat);

Congratulations! You have successfully saved a template using Aspose.Tasks for .NET, customizing its properties as needed.

Conclusion

In this tutorial, we explored how to save a Microsoft Project file as a template using Aspose.Tasks for .NET. Templates are valuable for standardizing project structures and settings, streamlining future project creations.

FAQ’s

Q: Can I customize which data to remove from the template?

A: Yes, you can configure the Save Template Options to remove specific data such as fixed costs, actual values, resource rates, and baseline values.

Q: Is Aspose.Tasks for .NET compatible with all versions of Microsoft Project?

A: Aspose.Tasks for .NET provides extensive compatibility with various versions of Microsoft Project, ensuring seamless integration and functionality.

Q: Can I apply templates to existing projects?

A: Yes, you can apply templates to existing projects by loading the template file and merging it with your current project as needed.

Q: Does Aspose.Tasks for .NET support cross-platform development?

A: Aspose.Tasks for .NET is primarily designed for .NET framework applications running on Windows platforms.

Q: Is technical support available for Aspose.Tasks for .NET?

A: Yes, you can seek technical assistance and guidance from the Aspose.Tasks community forums or contact their support team directly.