Import XML (P6/MSP)

Location on ribbon: Tab DVD Cons → Group Schedule → Menu Setup

Command ID: btnImportXml

PRO feature

This command is part of the PRO package. STANDARD accounts activated before 1 July 2026 keep access until their licence expires; other Standard accounts will see an upgrade dialog.

What it does

Reads a Microsoft Project XML (MSPDI) file and builds a new schedule sheet in the open workbook: tasks, start/finish dates, durations, % complete, WBS level, plus FS/SS/FF/SF relationships with lags mapped back into the add-in's own format.

Use it when the master programme lives in MS Project or Primavera P6 with the consultant or main contractor, but you want to track progress, update percentages and print from Excel. The generated sheet works immediately with Gantt Chart and Auto Calc.

How to use

1. Open the Excel workbook that should receive the schedule (at least one workbook must be open).
2. Go to the DVD Cons tab → Schedule group → Setup menu → click Import XML (P6/MSP).
3. The Import MS Project XML open dialog appears with the MS Project XML (*.xml) filter (you can switch to All files). Pick a file and click Open.
4. The add-in parses the file, creates a new sheet and reports: ✓ Imported N tasks, M links into sheet "<sheet name>".
5. Switch to the new sheet, click Gantt Chart to draw the bars, and turn on Auto Calc if you want dates to update automatically.

Example

The overseas consultant sends you MasterProgramme_Rev3.xml, exported from Primavera P6 for the Binh Duong timber processing plant.

Open your site-tracking workbook, click Import XML (P6/MSP) and choose the file. The message reads ✓ Imported 342 tasks, 511 links into sheet "MasterProgramme_Rev3". The new sheet has the full Activity ID / Duration / Start / Finish / Predecessors column set; click Gantt Chart for the bars, run Header Language to switch the headers to Vietnamese, then update % complete weekly right in Excel.

Notes

• A workbook must be open; otherwise the add-in reports "No workbook is open." and stops.
• The command always creates a new sheet — it never overwrites an existing schedule sheet.
• The file must be valid MSPDI (MS Project: Save As / Export → Microsoft Project XML; P6: export Microsoft Project XML). A corrupt or wrong-format file produces a ⚠ warning with the reason and no sheet.
• P6 exports usually carry English headers — run Header Language if you want the Vietnamese version.
• Creating the sheet cannot be undone with Ctrl+Z; delete the sheet manually if you want to discard it.

Related

• Export XML (P6/MSP) — the other direction: send the Excel schedule back to MS Project / P6.
• Gantt Chart — works on the imported sheet straight away.
• Header Language — switch the imported English headers to Vietnamese.
• Update Status — add PV/SV/SPI columns to track the imported programme.