Using Scripts to Manage Project's Schedule Options

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Sample VBScript scripts that demonstrate how you can both retrieve and configure the Microsoft Project 2003 Schedule options.

Mapping the Dialog Box to the Project Object Model

The options referenced in the following scripts correspond to the options found on the Schedule tab of the Options dialog box. To access these options in Microsoft Project 2003, click Tools, click Options, and then click the Schedule tab. A mapping between the options available in this dialog box and the Microsoft Project object model is shown below.

Schedule

Note that the item shown in orange does not have a corresponding property in the Project object model. The current value for Show tasks that have estimated durations cannot be returned using the script for retrieving property values; however, the value for this item can be configured using the OptionsSchedule method. A sample script using OptionsSchedule is included on this page.

The scripts shown on this page were tested using Microsoft Project 2003. At least some of the functionality is likely to work on any version of Microsoft Project that supports Visual Basic for Applications (VBA); however, the scripts have not been tested using any of these other versions.

Sample Code for Retrieving Values

Sample script that retrieves the configuration information found on the Schedule tab in the Options dialog box in Microsoft Project 2003.

Set objProject = CreateObject("MSProject.Application")
objProject.Visible = TRUE
Set colProjects = objProject.Projects
Set objDoc = colProjects.Add()

Wscript.Echo "Show scheduling messages: " & objProject.DisplayScheduleMessages
Wscript.Echo "Show assignment units as a: " & objProject.ShowAssignmentUnitsAs
Wscript.Echo "New tasks: " & objDoc.StartOnCurrentDate
Wscript.Echo "Duration is entered in: " & objDoc.DefaultDurationUnits
Wscript.Echo "Work is entered in: " & objDoc.DefaultWorkUnits
Wscript.Echo "Default task type: " & objDoc.DefaultTaskType
Wscript.Echo "New tasks are effort driven: " & objDoc.DefaultEffortDriven
Wscript.Echo "Autolink inserted or moved tasks: " & objDoc.AutoLinkTasks
Wscript.Echo "Split in-progress tasks: " & objDoc.AutoSplitTasks
Wscript.Echo "Tasks will always honor their constraint dates: " & _
    objDoc.HonorConstraints
Wscript.Echo "New tasks have estimated durations: " & _
    objProject.NewTasksEstimated

objProject.Quit

Sample Code for Modifying Values

Sample script that disables the option New tasks are effort driven.

Set objProject = CreateObject("MSProject.Application")

Set colProjects = objProject.Projects
Set objDoc = colProjects.Add()

objDoc.DefaultEffortDriven = FALSE

objProject.Quit

Sample Code for Modifying Values Without Corresponding Properties

Sample script that disables the Show tasks that have estimated durations option. The commas preceding the value FALSE represent other values that can be configured using this method; the blank parameters instruct the method to leave existing values for these items as-is.

Set objProject = CreateObject("MSProject.Application")

Set colProjects = objProject.Projects
Set objDoc = colProjects.Add()

errReturn = objProject.OptionsSchedule(,,,,,,,,,,,,,FALSE) 

objProject.Quit(pjDoNotSave)

The sample scripts are not supported under any Microsoft standard support program or service. The sample scripts are provided AS IS without warranty of any kind. Microsoft further disclaims all implied warranties including, without limitation, any implied warranties of merchantability or of fitness for a particular purpose. The entire risk arising out of the use or performance of the sample scripts and documentation remains with you. In no event shall Microsoft, its authors, or anyone else involved in the creation, production, or delivery of the scripts be liable for any damages whatsoever (including, without limitation, damages for loss of business profits, business interruption, loss of business information, or other pecuniary loss) arising out of the use of or inability to use the sample scripts or documentation, even if Microsoft has been advised of the possibility of such damages.