Cobra 8.3 Help System

Using the Help Search
Using the Help Search
  • Phrase:Returns all topics that contain the exact phrase in the search criteria. Use quotation marks around the phrase.
    Ex."system administration"
  • And:Returns all topics that contain all the words in the search criteria, in any combination. Insert a plus sign between all words in the search criteria.
    Ex.system + administration
  • Or:Returns all topics with any combination of words in the search criteria. This is the default.
    Ex.system administration
For more information:Searching Online Help

Data Formats

You can choose between the two format options when you create the actual cost import file.

These two options are:

  • Format 1: Each result as a column in the CSV file. For example, Direct or Hours.
  • Format 2: A separate row for each result in a resource calculation. This format uses the Data_type column to specify the result and the Data_value column to specify the quantity.

    For either data format, the file structure must include the information that identifies the control account or work package (or a code assignment to the CA or WP) where it applies. If actual costs are only at the control account level, the work package identifier can be omitted.

    To explain the difference between the two formats, assume that the control accounts in a project have been defined with two control account key fields and at the control account level.

    Assume that the project resource calculations include the following results: HOURS, DIRECT, and OHEAD

    WBS OBS Resource Hours Direct Ohead
    1.1 1.7 ENG 15 187 18
    1.2 1.1 COMP 0 475 48
    1.3 1.2 TECH 35 634 63

    A transaction using the second option and the same information is shown in the following table:

    WBS OBS Resource Data_type Data_value
    1.1 1.7 ENG HOURS 15
    1.1 1.7 ENG DIRECT 187
    1.1 1.7 ENG OHEAD 18
    1.2 1.1 COMP OHEAD 48
    1.3 1.2 TECH HOURS 35
    1.3 1.2 COMP DIRECT 634
    1.3 1.2 COMP OHEAD 63

    Using Format 1 is more efficient from the Cobra standpoint, but the second option is more typical of the form that contains the data exported from an external system.