How to Use OLE Automation with Microsoft Project 4.1

MORE INFORMATION

Step-by-Step Example

1. Create a table in Visual FoxPro called k2project that has the following structure. This structure follows the task structure of Microsoft Project.

      Field#  Name       Type
      1. field1     - Character(10)
      2. task_name  - Character(25)
      3. duration   - Character(5)
      4. start      - date
      5. finish     - date
      6. pred       - Character(10)
      7. resource_n - Character(20)
   						

2. Populate the table with data. Each record consists of a task to build a house. for example:

      field1    = " "
      task_name = "Build House"
      duration  = "60d"
      start     = 03/01/96
      finish    = " "
      pred      = " "
      resource_n = "Ace Builders"
   						

   NOTE: Assign a start date to the first task only. Assign all tasks a duration. For example, 30d = thirty days. Microsoft Project will calculate the finish dates based upon the duration of each task.
3. Enter the following code in a program file, and then run it to create a project, link the tasks, and calculate the length of the project. This program will print a Gantt Chart and Pert Chart.

      CLEAR
      SET SAFETY OFF
      ON ERROR DO OLERROR
      SET DEFAULT TO "C:\VFP Files"
      PUBLIC x
   
      IF FILE('Saltbox.mpp')
        ERASE Saltbox.mpp
        ERASE Saltbox.mpx
      ENDIF
   
      IF USED('k2project')
        USE IN k2Project
      ENDIF
   
      USE k2project IN 0
      * Microsoft Project will only accept FOX2 TYPE FILES
      COPY TO xproj TYPE FOX2
      USE IN k2project
      Myfile = "xproj.dbf"
   
      x=CreateObject("MSProject.Project.4_1")
      x.application.Visible=.t.
      x.application.FileNew
      x.application.FileSaveAs("SaltBox")
      * Append Entry table from Myfile
      x.application.FileOpen(Myfile,0,1,1,'Entry')
      x.application.SelectAll
      * Link the tasks together
      x.application.LinkTasks
      x.application.AppMinimize
   
      Myans =MessageBox("Print Gantt Chart?",4+32,"Print Report")
      IF Myans = 6
        x.application.FilePrint(1,4)
      ENDIF
   
      x.application.AppRestore
      x.application.ViewApply("Pert Chart")
      x.application.AppMinimize
   
      Myans =MessageBox("Print Pert Chart?",4+32,"Print Report")
      IF Myans = 6
        x.application.FilePrint(1,2)
      ENDIF
   
      x.application.ViewApply("Gantt Chart")
      x.application.FileSave
      x.application.FileQuit
   
      RELEASE x
      RETURN
   
      PROCEDURE OLERROR
      ON ERROR
      WAIT WINDOW "An error occurred!"
      =AERROR(myerror)
      CLEAR
      ? 'The error provided the following information'  && Display message
      FOR n = 1 TO 7  && Display all elements of the array
       ? myerror(n)
      ENDFOR
   
      IF TYPE("X") = "O"
        x.application.Quit
        RELEASE X
        CANCEL
      ENDIF
      RETURN