2011

Options
CSV Import Settings
Row 1 Contains Headings Select the Row 1 Contains Headings check box if you want the first row of data in
your CSV file to be treated as column headings. TimeLiner will use it to populate the External Field Name options
in the grid.
If the first row of data in your CSV file does not contain column headings, clear this check box.
Automatically Detect Date/Time Format Select the Automatically Detect Date/Time Format option if you want
TimeLiner to attempt to determine the date/time format used in your CSV file. First, TimeLiner applies a set of
rules to try to establish the date/time format used in the document; if it is not possible, it uses the local settings
on your system.
Use Specific Date/Time Format Select the Use Specific Date/Time Format option if you want to manually specify
the date/time format that should be used. When this radio button is selected, you can enter the required format
into the box provided. See the list of valid date/time codes below.
NOTE If one or more date/time-based columns are found to contain fields where the data cannot be mapped to a
valid date/time value using the manually-specified format, TimeLiner will 'fall back' and attempt to use the automatic
date/time format.
The Field-Mapping Grid
The field-mapping grid is a grid containing, in the left column, all the columns from the current TimeLiner
schedule and, in the right column, a number of drop-down menus enabling you to map the incoming fields to
the TimeLiner columns.
NOTE When you are importing data from a CSV file, the External Field Name column of the grid shows the data from
the first row of the CSV file if Row 1 Contains Headings is selected. Otherwise, it defaults to Column A, Column B, and
so on.
Task Name This field is shown and required when you import CSV data. If you do not map this field, you will
receive an error message.
Task Type import field The field is used to automatically assign
Task Types to each imported Task.
Unique ID import field The field is used to uniquely identify each imported Task. This allows synchronization
to work even if major changes are made to the external schedule in the scheduling software. The default behavior
is to use the most appropriate field for each source. Some sources do not have a well defined unique id, in which
case you may need to choose a field manually.
Start Date import field Some project sources support multiple start dates for different purposes. The default
behavior is to use the most appropriate available date for each source. This field may be used to define an Actual
Start date, should it be different to that selected by default.
End Date import field Some project sources support multiple end dates for different purposes. The default
behavior is to use the most appropriate available date for each source. This field may be used to specifically define
an Actual End date, should it be different to that selected by default.
Planned Start The field is used to identify a planned start date. This allows planned against actual comparisons
to be made and simulated.
Planned End The field is used to identify a planned end date. This allows planned against actual comparisons
to be made and simulated.
User 1 to 10 Ten user fields are available to link any custom data fields from the project source.
Reset All button Use this button to clear all column mapping and also reset CSV import settings to their defaults,
if appropriate.
Valid Date/Time Codes
d, %d The day of the month. Single-digit days will NOT have a leading zero.
dd The day of the month. Single-digit days will have a leading zero.
ddd The abbreviated day name.
dddd The full day name.
394 | Chapter 15 Simulate Construction Scheduling