The Best Way to Import and Export Data from Primavera P6
A comparison of the Primavera P6 Import and Export Functionality and Emerald's P6-Loader
The P6-Loader is a unique Primavera enhancement tool developed by Emerald for the secure movement of data between Primavera P6 and Microsoft Excel. Many users are aware that P6 already has some built-in functionality, which is why I often hear this question from my students, as well as from my clients: How is the P6-Loader different from the built-in import and export functionality in P6 Client?
There are numerous differences between the two when it comes to choosing the right tool for importing/exporting your P6 data. Here are some of the main points to consider:
1. Importing and Exporting Global Data
Examples: EPS, OBS, Roles and Resources, Resource Codes, Resource Limits and Rates, Cost Accounts, Calendars, Project Codes, Global and EPS–level Activity Codes, User Defined Fields, etc.
Primavera P6 Client
The import and export of global data is generally not available through the built-in functionality in Primavera P6.
*There is one exception. An option to export/import limited data on resources.
Importing data on resources into P6 is limited to the following fields: resource ID, resource name, unit of measure, calendar name, title, default units / time, user login name, e-mail address, employee ID, office phone, other phone, resource UDFs.
P6-Loader
Easy import and export (extraction and uploading) of global data is available with the P6-Loader.
Data includes but is not limited to:
- EPS, OBS
- User Information
- Security Profiles
- Project Codes
- Activity Codes
- User Defined Fields
- Cost Accounts
- Calendars
- Financial Periods
- Resources and Roles (including all fields available through the Primavera P6 API)
- Resource Limits & Rates
- Resource Codes, etc.
2. Importing and Exporting Project Data
(Project details, WBS, activites, resource assignments etc.)
Primavera P6 Client
Option to export limited project-level data out of P6 (limited to activities, relationships, expenses, and resource assignment subject areas).
The fields available for importing project data into P6 (from the above mentioned subject areas) are limited. More detail below (see #5).
P6-Loader
Import and export nearly every data element available in P6 on the project level.
Project data available for import/export includes:
- Project Details
- Project Benefit Plans
- Project Spending Plans
- Baseline Projects
- WBS
- WBS Categories, etc.
Activity data available for import/export includes:
- Activity details
- Relationships
- Resource Assignments
- Expenses
- Steps
- Activity Code assignments
- Activity UDF assignments, etc.
3. Number of Columns You Can Export from P6 to Excel.
Primavera P6 Client
200 columns or less can be exported at a given time for each selected subject area.
P6-Loader
There is no limit on the number of columns you can export with the P6-Loader. Users can choose the number of tabs (subject areas) to export and each tab can include all fields (columns) available through the Primavera P6 API.
4. Multiple Project Exports (Extraction)
Primavera P6 Client
When exporting multiple projects, P6 exports each project into a separate excel file.
P6-Loader
Multiple projects can be exported into a single Excel file, enabling easy analysis or manipulation on multiple projects’ data simultaneously.
The tool also allows the data on multiple projects to be imported back into P6 as a single file, saving a lot of time for the user.
5. Importable fields
Primavera P6 Client
Limited fields available for import including the following subject areas only: activities, relationships, expenses, resources, and resource assignments.
P6-Loader
A vast number of importable fields from all levels of the database, including global data, project data, and activity-level data.
Summary
As you can see, the P6-Loader provides much more flexibility when it comes to the amount and type of data you want to manipulate. For more information on how the P6-Loader can help you handle your Primavera P6 data safely and effectively please visit our product page or contact us.
About the Author
Iryna Mykolayenko, PMP - Implementation Specialist
Iryna holds a Master’s Degree in law from Kyiv National Taras Shevchenko University (Ukraine). She is an active PMP-certified member of the Project Management Institute (PMI), and an Oracle-certified Implementation Specialist (Primavera P6 Enterprise Project Portfolio Management), as well as a Primavera P6 trainer and consultant.
Since joining Emerald Associates in 2012, Iryna has been conducting open and on-site Primavera software and project management training courses for a wide variety of companies in North America, including companies from the oil and gas, engineering, construction, and health care industries, as well as many other industries. She has also been working as a consultant with several companies on their P6 setup and usage initiatives. The list of her clients includes Powell Canada, Spectra Energy, Shell, Toyo Engineering, IMV Projects, Syncrude, Keyera Energy, FAM Canada, Outland Camps, City of Hope Oncological Center (California), etc.