Use the MPM Task windows for entering, maintaining, and analyzing the MPM data. Each serves a unique purpose, but all have some similarities.
MPM has a powerful, spreadsheet interface, which makes it easy to access and view all your data at a glance. To create a new record (for example, another WBS element or Contract Line Item), you insert a new row. All fields associated with that data (for example, the WBS ID, WBS Description, and Start Date of the new WBS element), display as columns in the grid. Some Task windows, like the WBS window, are split into two panes:
The left pane displays items
The right pane displays the detail information associated with the item
For example, the left pane of the WBS window displays the WBS tree. You can use the left pane to find the leg of the tree you need, and MPM displays the detail about that leg in the right pane.
There are several methods for finding a particular data item in a Task window:
Use the Horizontal and/or Vertical Scroll Bars to scroll through your data
Some Task windows have an Edit » Find option that you can use to search for a text string. This option works exactly the same in all Task windows in which it is available.
To find a text string, enter the text and click Find Next. MPM searches for the text you entered in the current Task window.
If the text describes the contents of an entire cell, click Match Whole Cell Only. For example, if you enter the text ENGINEER and click this check box, MPM will not find DESIGN ENGINEER or TEST ENGINEER, just ENGINEER.
If you enter ENGINEER and click Match Case, MPM will match the text’s upper and lower case, and will only find ENGINEER, not Engineer or engineer.
If MPM finds the text, MPM highlights the cell and positions the cursor there. If MPM does not find the text, MPM displays an error message.
To stop processing a request or cancel changes you made to data in a grid, press the ESC key. You can also press ESC to close any dialog box. It is the equivalent to clicking Cancel.
MPM displays fields as columns in the Task window. You can display or hide any combination of columns, using Format » Column Hide. The selected fields are hidden in the Task window.
Below are guidelines for working with the Column Hide dialog box:
To: |
Do this: |
Hide a single column |
Select the column and click OK. |
Hide two or more contiguous columns |
Select the first column, hold down the SHIFT key, select the last column, and click OK. |
Hide two or more noncontiguous columns |
|
Display all columns |
Select any column, hold down the CTRL key, select the same column again, and click OK. |
Use the following conventions when entering data in MPM:
Press Tab or the arrow keys to advance the cursor to the next field (cell).
Watch the Status Bar at the bottom of the window for prompts or error messages.
To select an entire column in the window, click the column’s heading (field name).
To select an entire row, click the row number at the left edge of the window. Selecting the entire row in this way selects all data, including any fields that are currently hidden. If you subsequently copy the data, all data in that record is copied to the clipboard, not just the data in the fields currently displayed.
Many Task windows have fields in which you must enter data. For example, if you create a new WBS element in the WBS window, you must supply an identifier for the WBS ID field. These fields show <Required> in the cell. You must make an entry in the field before you save the row.
To add a new row of information, complete the following steps:
Click the row number where you want to insert the new row.
Press the Insert key, or click Edit » Insert.
Fill in the <Required> fields, and any optional fields that suit your needs.
To save your changes, do one of the following:
Click Save
Click File » Save
Press CTRL+S
Click another row and select Yes in response to the Save Data prompt.
To change existing information, complete the following steps:
Click the cell that you want to edit.
Change the data as needed.
To save your changes, do one of the following:
Click Save
Click File » Save
Press CTRL+S
Click another row and select Yes in response to the Save Data prompt.
To delete an entire row of data in a grid, complete the following steps:
Highlight the entire row by clicking the row number.
Press the Delete key, or click Edit » Delete.
If the Prompt for Save option has been set, MPM prompts for confirmation.
To delete more than one row at one time, complete the following steps:
Click the first row number that you want to delete.
While holding down SHIFT, click the last row number that you want to delete.
Press the Delete key or click Edit » Delete.
If the Prompt for Save option has been set, MPM prompts for confirmation.
To save the data you entered, do one of the following:
Click Save
Click File » Save
Press CTRL +S
If the Prompt for Save option has been set, MPM prompts for verification when you click off the row.