Showing filtered summary tasks in a report

[padenc]

I'm in a bit of a conundrum. Our projects are broken down into task 'tiers' using hte outline and we want to run reports based on those tiers.

For example consider the tasks:
Project 1
- Phase 1
- Task 1
- Task 2
- Phase 2
- Task 3

I ahve created a filter that will show only tasks at a desired level in an appropriate table. However, upon running a report the summary tasks become a major issue. While they appear in the table when viewed in project, they magically disappear from the report.

For example, when filtered for a "Phase level" report, we should get back something to the extent of:

%    Project    Phase    Start     Finish
50   Project 1  Phase 1  4/1/2009  5/6/2009
0    Project 1  Phase 2  4/29/2009 5/30/2009

The Project column is populated from the name of the project. Essentially giving managers a quick look at the phases of projects. However, in the task report edit window, if "Show summary tasks" is left unchecked the tasks "Phase 1" and "Phase 2" will not appear in the report. Checking the "Show summary tasks" will also show a line for:

25  Projects   Project 1 4/1/2009  5/30/2009

Where the "Projects" entry is the master project itself. So that catch seems to be that unless that checkbox is checked NO summary tasks are shown - even if they are within the filter. If the checkbox is checked ALL summary tasks are shown - even if they should be filtered out!

Is anyone aware of a work around for this?

 

[PDQBach]

Which report?

 

[padenc]

Its a custom report. The only way I've been able to achieve the desired result (show *ALL* outline level 3 tasks, and *ONLY* outline level 3 tasks) is to filter it in a table and print the table.

 

[PDQBach]

Give me the step-by-step that you use to create the custom report. I'm asking because -- depending on the report type -- it is either impossible or (at least in the quick set of cases I tested) quite do-able.

 

[padenc]

Report details:
> Type: Task
> Period: Months
> Table: Custom table titled "Master Report"
> Filter: Customer titled "Tier 3"
> Highlight, Show Summary Tasks, Gray bands - unchecked
> Sort: by Start

The custom filter filters out all but the Outline level 3 tasks.

 

[PDQBach]

I think I must be a bit dense (sorry).

In the report are you expecting:

Item 1:
>>> All summary tasks *even* if 0 detail sub-tasks have met the criteria of your filter (and, therefore, 0 detail sub-tasks below the summary task are being displayed)

OR

>>> Summary tasks *only* if 1 or more detail sub-tasks have met the criteria of your filter (and, therefore, 1 or more detail sub-tasks are being displayed)

Item 2:
Do you want detail sub-tasks displayed?

 

[padenc]

The simplest way to phrase it is:
All tasks of a certain outline level should appear.

The road block is the check box in the report editing:
"Display summary tasks"

With the box checked all summary tasks are displayed, with it unchecked *NO* summary tasks are displayed.

For example:
Project 1
- Phase 1
- Task 1
- Task 2
- Phase 2
- Task 3

"Project" is Outline Level (OL) 1
the "Phases" are OL 2
and the "Tasks" are OL 3

Running a filter to show OL 2 will return the following in a view:
- Phase 1
- Phase 2

That's what should be in the report.

With the box unchecked *no valid data will be returned for the report*

With the box checked the following will appear in the report:
Project 1
- Phase 1
- Phase 2

I hope that clarifies the problem. I'm currently just printing the view which is the only work around I can find. But you lose some of the auto-formatting features of the reporting services.

 

[PDQBach]

Well, I've tried a bunch of stuff to see if I could force a workaround. Nada. Zilch.

Drop me a line on h0tmail where I am pdqbach4100 . Thanks.

 

[PDQBach]

padenc ... please email me at the address in the reply above. Thanks.