Getting Excel Pivot Data into Microsoft Project as a Tree-Based Task Hierarchy

Background

Ever have denormalized data in Excel that you've made into a pivot so you can see what the data looks as a hierarchy?  Ever want to put that data into Microsoft Project so you can manage that structure as tasks?  I did today and figured out how today it.  What follows are the steps.

The original, denormalized data used as the data source of the Pivot Table.

Steps

In order to get your denormalized data as a hierarchy into Microsoft Project, follow these steps:

1. Create a pivot table

The standard pivot table in Excel.

2. Put the pivot table in "outline" mode

Displaying the pivot table in Outline format.

3. Paste the dimensional hierarchy data into MS Word

Selecting and copying only the dimensional (grouping/category data) for pasting into Word.

4. Paste the data from Word into MS Project

The dimensional data pasted into Word.

The dimensional data pasted from Word into MS Project.

Milestone: You have your hierarchy but still need the data

5. Paste the measure (numerical) data from Excel into MS Project

Selecting and copying only the numerical totals (measures) data for pasting into MS Project.

Pasting the measures data into MS Project.

You're done!

Enjoy!