Manage MS Project Attributes Collection in Aspose.Tasks

Introduction

Are you looking to efficiently manage MS Project extended attributes using Aspose.Tasks for .NET? In this tutorial, we’ll guide you through the process step by step. Let’s dive in!

Prerequisites

Before we get started, ensure you have the following:

1. Visual Studio: Install Visual Studio on your system.
2. Aspose.Tasks for .NET: Download and install Aspose.Tasks for .NET from here.
3. Basic Knowledge of C#: Familiarize yourself with C# programming language basics.

Import Namespaces

Begin by importing the necessary namespaces into your project:

    using Aspose.Tasks;
    using System;
    

Step 1: Load Project File

First, load the MS Project file using the following code snippet:

String DataDir = "Your Document Directory";
var project = new Project(DataDir + "ReadTaskExtendedAttributes.mpp");

Step 2: Access Task and Extended Attributes

Access a specific task and its extended attributes:

var task = project.RootTask.Children.GetById(1);

Step 3: Clear Extended Attributes

Clear existing extended attributes if needed:

if (!task.ExtendedAttributes.IsReadOnly && task.ExtendedAttributes.Count > 0)
{
    task.ExtendedAttributes.Clear();
}

Step 4: Create Extended Attribute Definitions

Create definitions for new extended attributes:

var taskDefinition1 = ExtendedAttributeDefinition.CreateTaskDefinition(CustomFieldType.Start, ExtendedAttributeTask.Start7, "Start 7");
var taskDefinition2 = ExtendedAttributeDefinition.CreateTaskDefinition(CustomFieldType.Finish, ExtendedAttributeTask.Finish7, "Finish 7");
project.ExtendedAttributes.Add(taskDefinition1);
project.ExtendedAttributes.Add(taskDefinition2);

Step 5: Iterate Over Task Extended Attributes

Iterate over task extended attributes:

Console.WriteLine("Iterate over task extended attributes of " + task.Get(Tsk.Name) + " task: ");
foreach (var attribute in task.ExtendedAttributes)
{
    Console.WriteLine("Attribute FieldId: " + attribute.FieldId);
    Console.WriteLine("Attribute Value: " + attribute.DateValue);
    Console.WriteLine();
}

Step 6: Add Extended Attributes

Add new extended attributes to the task:

var extendedAttribute1 = taskDefinition1.CreateExtendedAttribute();
extendedAttribute1.DateValue = new DateTime(2020, 4, 14, 8, 0, 0);
if (task.ExtendedAttributes.IndexOf(extendedAttribute1) < 0)
{
    task.ExtendedAttributes.Insert(0, extendedAttribute1);
}
var extendedAttribute2 = taskDefinition2.CreateExtendedAttribute();
extendedAttribute2.DateValue = new DateTime(2020, 4, 14, 17, 0, 0);
task.ExtendedAttributes.Add(extendedAttribute2);

Step 7: Work with Extended Attributes

Perform operations on extended attributes as required.

Step 8: Remove Extended Attributes

Remove extended attributes by index or conditionally:

task.ExtendedAttributes.RemoveAt(0);
task.ExtendedAttributes.Remove(extendedAttribute2);

Step 9: Copy Attributes to Another Task

Copy attributes to another task within the same or different project:

var otherProject = new Project();
var otherTask = otherProject.RootTask.Children.Add("Other task");
foreach (var attribute in attributes)
{
    otherTask.ExtendedAttributes.Add(attribute);
}

Conclusion

Managing MS Project extended attribute collections becomes seamless with Aspose.Tasks for .NET. By following the steps outlined in this tutorial, you can efficiently handle extended attributes, enhancing your project management capabilities.

FAQ’s

Q: Can I manipulate extended attributes across multiple projects?

A: Yes, you can copy extended attributes between tasks in different projects using Aspose.Tasks for .NET.

Q: Are there limitations on the number of extended attributes per task?

A: Aspose.Tasks for .NET imposes no inherent limitations on the number of extended attributes per task.

Q: Can I create custom extended attribute fields?

A: Absolutely! Aspose.Tasks for .NET allows you to define custom extended attribute fields tailored to your project requirements.

Q: Does Aspose.Tasks for .NET support reading and writing to MS Project files of various versions?

A: Yes, Aspose.Tasks for .NET supports MS Project file formats across different versions.

Q: Is there a trial version available for Aspose.Tasks for .NET?

A: Yes, you can download a free trial from here.