Re: Limiting characters in a text field

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While we do train our Project Manager the reasoning behind why they would
like to limit the characters is because we do not use Project Server to
create the reports but it is pulled in Cognos 8 which limits what can be seen
and will cut off the information if there is too much. Yes, adjustments can
probably be made to the report itself for each project but it is strongly
desire to have all reports uniformed. They are hoping to elimiate this
problem by limiting how long descriptions can be. Which brings me back to
the issue of how do I limit how many characters can be in a text field.

"John" wrote:

In article <DC91EE86-869F-4368-90EC-E8B9BA852C0B@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>,
Karrybelle <Karrybelle@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

Do you know how it would be changed in VBA? Even though it may be difficult
the Project Managers prefer that if it is possible they would like it changed
in Microsoft Project for reporting reasons.

Karrybelle,
Pardon me for butting in. Even though it can be done with a TaskChange
event macro, the complexity of that might be more trouble than its
worth. Let me offer a couple alternate approaches.

First, for instances like this the best approach is often training. Set
up a "rules of use" guide for all users of Project in your organization.
In addition to just limiting the number of characters in text fields,
this guide can also give consistency on how users set up project plans,
how they status and maintain those plans and any other relevant items
including how to use Project correctly. But don't just create a guide
and then distribute it, rather set up training classes for all users
using the guide as the training basis. The company I worked for and many
other entities who use Project on a regular basis prefer this approach
over the covert "control".

Second, here is an idea that is between pure training and pure covert
control (i.e. TaskChange event macro). Set up a formula in a spare flag
field that counts the characters in the desired text field. If that
count exceeds 50, set the flag. A filter can then be used to easily find
tasks that have the flag set. A simple macro could be used to detect
filter results and pop up a user message.

Hope this helps.
John
Project MVP

"Gérard Ducouret" wrote:

Karrybelle,

It is not possible in a simple interactive way. It could be possible in
VBA,
using a taskchange event for example, but not easy at all.
Sorry,

Gérard Ducouret


"" <Karrybelle@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> a écrit dans le message de news:
6496837F-FB00-4D48-A414-55CF5C70AAD0@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
My Project Management team added some new custom Enterprise text fields
but
they want to limit how many characters that can be in the text fields.
Can
someone shead some light on how I can limit the characters from 255 to
only
50.

Thanks!




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