Microsoft Project Conversion Macros

The SAS macros %MDBTOPM and %MP2KTOPM have been used in previous releases of SAS/OR to convert files saved by Microsoft Project 98 and Microsoft Project 2000 (and later), respectively, into SAS data sets that can be used as input for project scheduling with SAS/OR. Now these two macros are combined in the SAS macro %MSPTOSAS, which converts Microsoft Project 98 (and later) data. This macro generates the necessary SAS data sets, determines the values of the relevant options, and invokes PROC PM in SAS/OR with the converted project data. The %MSPTOSAS macro enables you to use Microsoft Project for the input of project data and still take advantage of the excellent project and resource scheduling capabilities of SAS/OR.

In SAS/OR 9.2, the experimental %SASTOMSP macro converts data sets used by the CPM and PM procedures into an MDB file that is readable by Microsoft Project. The macro converts information that is common to both PROC CPM / PROC PM and Microsoft Project, including hierarchical relationships, precedence relationships, time constraints, resource availabilities, resource requirements, project calendars, resource calendars, task calendars, holiday information, and work-shift information. In addition, the early and late schedules, the actual start and finish times, the resource-constrained schedule, and the baseline schedule are also extracted and stored as start-finish variables.

Execution of the %MSPTOSAS and %SASTOMSP macros requires SAS/ACCESS software.