Update PercentComplete in XML Format

[Malluce]

Hi all -

I'm trying to write a Python script to update the weekly status automatically. My method is:
1. Scan through each developer's Excel status sheet
2. Store the task and % complete in a list of tuples [(task1, % complete1), (task2, %complete2),...]
3. Scan through MS Project file in XML format
4. Find the matching task name and replace the % complete value
However, I ran into this problem that even I change the PercentComplete value in XML, it doesn't get updated when I import to MS Project. I've been doing LOTS OF research and found out that apparently a lot of people are suffering from the issue.
The XML contains a lot of tags that I never seen or used, but some people suggested that MS Project has a sequence of calculating % complete (e.g., it has to do with the ActualDuration, RemainingDuration...etc.) I tried to play around with it but got not luck. Does anyone here know how to handle this problem? Thanks!

 

[JulieInMaine]

Sorry, I am not as familiar with the XML schema as I should be - but here are a couple of references to get you started.

XML Schema for Project 2010:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/office/bb428843.aspx

XML Schema for Project 2007:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/office/bb968733.aspx

You are correct that % complete in Project is calculated by project based upon Actual and Remaining Duration.

Do you have any better luck just updating the data in Excel and bypassing the XML?

 

[Malluce]

Hmmm...I never thought about that but I'll give it a shot. Thanks and I'll keep you updated!

 

[JulieInMaine]

Good luck. I would also match on UID on the task versus the task name. Import only the data you want to change - for example, if you want to change % complete, do not import actual and remaining duration -- let Project calculate it.